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The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
24 June 1964 (USA)
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Tagline:
LOOK INTO THIS FACE - SHUDDER... at the blood-stained dance of the Red Death! TREMBLE... to the hideous tortures of the catacombs of Kali! GASP... at the sacrifice of the innocent virgin to the vengeance of Baal! more
Plot:
A European prince terrorizes the local peasantry while using his castle as a refuge against the "Red Death" plague that stalks the land. full summary | add synopsis
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Roger Corman, Anjelica Huston, Sally Kellerman: Governors Awards 2009
(From Alternative Film Guide. 15 November 2009, 5:25 PM, PST)
Roger Corman To Receive Honorary Oscar
(From shocktillyoudrop. 13 November 2009)
(From Alternative Film Guide. 15 November 2009, 5:25 PM, PST)
Roger Corman To Receive Honorary Oscar
(From shocktillyoudrop. 13 November 2009)
User Comments:
A wonderful blend of surreal imagery and pure terror
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Vincent Price | ... | Prince Prospero | |
| Hazel Court | ... | Juliana | |
| Jane Asher | ... | Francesca | |
| David Weston | ... | Gino | |
| Nigel Green | ... | Ludovico, Francesca's father | |
| Patrick Magee | ... | Alfredo | |
| Paul Whitsun-Jones | ... | Scarlatti | |
| Robert Brown | ... | Guard | |
| Julian Burton | ... | Señor Veronese | |
| David Davies | |||
| Skip Martin | ... | Hop Toad | |
| Gaye Brown | ... | Señora Escobar | |
| Verina Greenlaw | ... | Esmeralda | |
| Doreen Dawn | ... | Anna-Marie | |
| Brian Hewlett | ... | Lampredi |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
89 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Pathécolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)
Certification:
Germany:16 |
Finland:(Banned) (original rating) (1972) |
Finland:K-16 (1988) |
Finland:K-18 (re-rating) (1972) |
Portugal:M/16 |
Argentina:16 |
Norway:16 (cut) |
USA:Unrated |
UK:X (original rating) |
UK:15 (video rating)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Roger Corman spent five weeks shooting this film. The previous "Poe" features had a three-week shooting schedule.
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Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Towards the end of the movie before Prospero sees the man in red, you see a blond woman dancing from left to right, the frame then jumps and the blond woman is once again on the left without having walked by.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Two Masters' Eyes (2003) (V)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (57 total)
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For this entry in his Poe series, Roger Corman decided to move the production to England. Not for artistic reasons, just because films made in England at that time got a government subsidy, and thus keeping his costs down. That's what I love about Corman - he brings a whole new meaning to the term 'penny pinching', and on the whole he has proved to cinema audiences the world over that great films don't need massive budgets and can excel on a shoestring. The Masque of the Red Death is another triumph over low budget, and sees horror's premier team of Vincent Price, Roger Corman and, of course, Edgar Allen Poe team up to great effect once again. This Poe story follows the evil Prince Prospero, a man who believes that his master, the Lord of Flies (Satan to you and me), will grant him and his friends that are taking refuge in his castle safety from the disease known as the 'red death' that is laying waste to the surrounding towns and villages.
This is a very different production to the earlier films in Corman's Poe cycle. The sets are much more lavish and on the whole, it's on a much larger scale. This also marks something of a departure for the Poe protagonist. As usual, he's portrayed by Vincent Price (the finest horror actor to ever live) but unlike the parts he'd played for Corman so far, this character is a strong and malicious presence, and therefore a far cry from the more pathetic characters he played films like 'The Fall of the House of Usher' and 'The Pit and the Pendulum'. As usual, however, Price approaches this role with relish and completely makes it his own. His malicious tone fits the Prince Prospero character like a glove, and you cannot imagine anyone but Price in the role. The character is a typical Poe labyrinth and helps to maintain the interest and malicious intent that the film presents for it's running time.
The story is one of absolute terror, and through Corman's surreal use of colours and atmosphere, he makes the best of it and the result is a truly terrifying tale of faith, disease and death. There are many macabre events in the film, but none of them go over the top with gore, nor are they especially sleazy. The film is consistent throughout, and it's obvious that everyone involved knew exactly what they wanted to achieve with it. The story revolves around having faith, whether it be faith in God or indeed in the Devil. The Masque of the Red Death professes that every man creates his own hell, and the way that is presented on screen is magnificent, just like the rest of this great film.