House of the Long Shadows (1983)

Director:

Pete Walker

Writers:

Michael Armstrong (writer)
Earl Derr Biggers (novel)

Release Date:

April 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

Room for every nightmare... A nightmare in every room.

Plot:

An American writer goes to a remote Welsh manor on a $20,000 bet: can he write a classic novel like "Wuthering Heights" in twenty-four hours...

Plot Keywords:

Writer | Rampage | House | Slasher | Reunion

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Vincent Price	...	Lionel Grisbane
Christopher Lee	...	Corrigan
Peter Cushing	...	Sebastian Grisbane
Desi Arnaz Jr.	...	Kenneth Magee
John Carradine	...	Lord Grisbane
Sheila Keith	...	Victoria
Julie Peasgood	...	Mary Norton
Richard Todd	...	Sam Allyson
Louise English	...	Diana
Richard Hunter	...	Andrew
Norman Rossington	...	Stationmaster

Also Known As:

House of Long Shadows

Runtime:

USA:100 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | UK:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Hampshire, England, UK

Company:

London-Cannon Films

Trivia:

Elsa Lanchester was going to play Victoria Quimby/Grisbane, but was too ill to make the trip to London.

Quotes:

Stationmaster: It is a cursed place.
Kenneth Magee: I'm sure it's drenched in evil.
Stationmaster: A cursed place.
Kenneth Magee: Filled with things best not spoken of. Yes, I saw the movie. You do know how to get there?

Movie Connections:

References North by Northwest (1959)

A well-done obscure film!

"House of the Long Shadows" is not a very well known film. In fact, most people I've talked to have never heard of it. It's one of those rare gems you come across every once in awhile.

If you are a fan of classic horror films, this will certainly be a treat! It has Vincent Price (my personal all-time favorite), Christopher Lee, John Carradine, and Peter Cushing. Plus there several twists and turns throughout the film that keep you guessing until the end.

The supporting cast does a decent job of completing the ensemble and the old mansion where the story takes place makes a delightful setting.

One small complaint is the acting ability of Desi Arnaz, Jr. It's hard to say if his acting was truly bad or if it just didn't measure up to the talents of Price, Lee, and Cushing. Either way, it didn't detract much from the overall enjoyment of the film.

If you want a good old-fashioned thriller with plot twists and a little bit of slasher thrown in, you won't be disappointed in "House of the Long Shadows".