The Skull (1965)

Director:

Freddie Francis

Writers:

Robert Bloch (story)
Milton Subotsky

Release Date:

25 August 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

When the Skull strikes you'll Scream!

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Skull | Marquis De Sade | Collector | Nightmare | Doctor

Cast

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
Jack Silk	...	Driver
Christopher Lee	...	Sir Matthew Phillips

Directed by
Freddie Francis

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Robert Bloch		story "The skull of the Marquis de Sade"
Milton Subotsky

Produced by
Max Rosenberg	....	producer (as Max J. Rosenberg)
Milton Subotsky	....	producer

Original Music by
Elisabeth Lutyens

Cinematography by
John Wilcox

Film Editing by
Oswald Hafenrichter

Art Direction by
Bill Constable

Set Decoration by
Scott Slimon

Makeup Department
Jill Carpenter	....	makeup artist
Henry Montsash	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Ted Lloyd	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Anthony Waye	....	assistant director

Art Department
Bill Waldron	....	construction manager

Sound Department
Buster Ambler	....	sound recordist
John Cox	....	sound supervisor
Tom Priestley	....	sound editor

Special Effects by
Ted Samuels	....	special effects

Camera and Electrical Department
David Harcourt	....	camera operator
Ray Jones	....	camera grip
Maurice Gillett	....	supervising electrician (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jackie Cummins	....	wardrobe supervisor

Music Department
Philip Martell	....	conductor

Other crew
Pamela Davies	....	continuity

Production Companies

• Amicus Productions

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1965) (USA) (theatrical)
• Legend Films (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Legend Films (2011) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-Ray)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Norway:16 | UK:X | Finland:(Banned) | Finland:K-16 (re-rating) | France:-12 | Sweden:15

Company:

Amicus Productions

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.

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Edited into Out of this World Super Shock Show (2007) (V)

A skull holds a diabolical influence over its owners.

Based on the Robert Bloch's story "The Skull of the Marquis de Sade", this film really thrills and chills. The Skull is an unassuming title, but this little gem does has a lot to offer on a cold winter afternoon. Peter Cushing stars as Dr. Maitland, a demonologist who comes across the skull after it has been stolen from his friend Christopher Lee. Death or possession has come upon the past owners but Maitland is unconcerned with such superstitions. He must have this occult rarity to add to his large collection. Dr. Maitland has no idea what lies in store for him... I feel that "The Skull" is one of the finest films Cushing and Lee have ever done together, and the best horror film that Freddie Francis has directed. At a glance, one would almost definitely think it is a Hammer film. It was actually made by Amicus, but features such Hammer characteristics as a foggy opening scene portraying grave robbers, occasional bloodletting, a dreary score, and canyons of cleavage. Even by today's standards, The Skull is exciting. Highlights include a very inventive dream sequence, a harsh game of Russian roulette, and the riveting climax. Believe it or not, The Skull even has a few scenes where you tense up expecting someone to jump out and scare you. You don't often see that type of thing in the Hammer/Amicus flicks. The major thing that brings the movie down, though, are the fake-looking scenes where the skull floats in the air to terrorize Dr. Maitland. They could have been done better using shadows or long-distance shots. Also, the "camera inside the skull" scenes looked juvenile and took away some of the film's integrity. Bottom line: definitely worth a viewing. Thanks nm!