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The Oblong Box (1969)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
11 June 1969 (USA)
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Tagline:
For the first time... the classic tale of the restless dead and their unspeakable hungers! more
Plot:
Aristocrat Julian Markham keeps his disfigured brother, Sir Edward, locked in a tower of his house....
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NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Gris Grimley's Poe-Illustrated Book Launch
(From Dread Central. 19 August 2009, 5:57 PM, PDT)
First Look at Cover Art for Grimly's New Poe Collection
(From Dread Central. 3 December 2008, 9:13 PM, PST)
(From Dread Central. 19 August 2009, 5:57 PM, PDT)
First Look at Cover Art for Grimly's New Poe Collection
(From Dread Central. 3 December 2008, 9:13 PM, PST)
User Comments:
More could have been done with a teaming such as Price and Lee.
more (25 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Vincent Price | ... | Sir Julian Markham | |
| Christopher Lee | ... | Dr. J. Neuhart | |
| Rupert Davies | ... | Joshua Kemp | |
| Uta Levka | ... | Heidi, the prostitute | |
| Sally Geeson | ... | Sally Baxter, Dr. Neuhart's Maid / Sir Julian Markham's Maid | |
| Alister Williamson | ... | Sir Edward Markham | |
| Peter Arne | ... | Samuel Trench | |
| Hilary Heath | ... | Elizabeth Markham (as Hilary Dwyer) | |
| Maxwell Shaw | ... | Tom Hackett | |
| Carl Rigg | ... | Mark Norton | |
| Harry Baird | ... | N'Galo | |
| Godfrey James | ... | Weller, Grave Robber | |
| James Mellor | ... | Holt | |
| John Barrie | ... | Franklin | |
| Ivor Dean | ... | Hawthorne |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
USA:91 min | USA:97 min (DVD)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
UK:15 (video rating) |
UK:X (original rating) |
Iceland:16 |
Germany:16 (re-rating) |
West Germany:18 (original rating) |
Norway:18 (1972) |
Sweden:15 |
USA:M (original rating) |
USA:PG |
Australia:R
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Alister Williamson is dubbed.
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Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Sir Edward murders Heidi the prostitute, the special effects knife clearly sprays blood onto the actresses' neck well before it actually touches her.
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Quotes:
Dr Neuhart:
I might find myself buying your pretty little body one day for a guinea or two.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in Fantastic Fantasy Fright-o-Rama Show Vol. 1 (1996) (V)
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FAQ
Is this movie actually based on a story by Edgar Allan Poe?more
more (25 total)
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A man is disfigured in an African tribal ceremony and ends up going mad. Once home, he is kept confined to his room by his brother Julian (Vincent Price). However, he figures out how to fake his death and uses the ruse to go about seeking vengeance.
The detailed plot also involves body snatching on behalf of a dedicated doctor, Newhartt (Christopher Lee), and the man, whose name is Edward, becomes enmeshed in the doctors' schemes.
Not bad Poe adaptation benefits from a story that never runs out of twists and turns. It has the potential to confuse viewers, but is kept on track by director Gordon Hessler and leads to some good shock scenes. Commendably, we are never shown Edwards' face until late in the film, allowing us to fire our imaginations. Often set at night, the sometimes sadistic story indulges in a little bit of graphic violence, and costumes & sets are well done as could be expected.
The momentous teaming of Price and Lee ultimately proves to be disappointing, as they share precious little screen time. They're each fine as usual, and the supporting cast - including Rupert Davies, Hilary Dwyer, Maxwell Shaw, Carl Rigg, Harry Baird, Godfrey James, Uta Levka, and the very cute Sally Geeson is likewise enjoyable. But the actor who clearly stands out is Alister Williamson as the tortured Edward. He has the best role in the picture, and clearly relishes it. Helping to make the character memorable is the crimson hood worn over his face.
It's good, if not great, AIP Poe horror. With its twist-laden script and decent visual treatment, it makes for some decent viewing.
7/10