The Skull (1965)

A collector comes into possession of the skull of the Marquis de Sade and learns it is possessed by an evil spirit.

Director:

Freddie Francis

Writers:

Robert Bloch (story), Milton Subotsky

Stars:

Peter Cushing, Patrick Wymark, Jill Bennett

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Cushing	...	Dr. Christopher Maitland
Patrick Wymark	...	Anthony Marco
Jill Bennett	...	Jane Maitland
Nigel Green	...	Inspector Wilson
Patrick Magee	...	Police Surgeon
Peter Woodthorpe	...	Bert Travers, Marco's Landlord
Michael Gough	...	Auctioneer
George Coulouris	...	Dr. Londe
April Olrich	...	French Girl
Maurice Good	...	Pierre, Phrenologist
Anna Palk	...	Maid
Frank Forsyth	...	Judge
Paul Stockman	...	First Guard
Geoffrey Cheshire	...	Second Guard
George Hilsdon	...	Policeman

Storyline

A collector of esoterica, Dr. Maitland, buys an unusual skull from his ordinary source of artifacts. The skull is what remains of marquis De Sade. Much too soon he discovers how the skull affects him: by turning him into a frenzied killer.

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Plot Keywords:

skull | marquis de sade | collector | nightmare | doctor | 

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Taglines:

When the Skull strikes you'll Scream!

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Caveira

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amicus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The heirs of Donatien Alphonse François de Sade pressed charges to prevent any use of his name on the advertising material. The changes on posters and lobby-cards were made at the very last minute by sticking the new title "Le Crâne Maléfique" (meaning "The Evil Skull") on top of the former, "Les forfaits du Marquis de Sade" (meaning "the Infamies of Marquis de Sade"). Only on that condition the film could finally be released in the French territory.

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Goofs

The table seen at the very end of the film that the skull sits on is different from the table it is on through the rest of the movie. The table seen in the ending has no pattern, just horizontal wood grains. The table seen earlier has a pattern of hexagons.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Pierre: What are you doing here?
French Girl: Aren't you pleased to see me?

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Connections

Spoofed in Top Secret! (1984)

User Reviews

Creepy

Plays on the imagination of the viewer with some psychological suspense and terror. Peter Cushing is good in the role of Dr. Maitland. Its too bad that Christopher Lee does not have a much more substantial role in The Skull(1965). The Skull(1965) is a chilling feature that is based on the Robert Bloch short story, THE SKULL OF THE MARQUIS DE SADE. The direction by Freddie Francis is one of his most skillful in a non Hammer motion picture. Nigel Green and Patrick Magee do a fine job in their supporting roles.