The Murders in the Rue Morgue (TV 1986)

A detective comes out of retirement to help his daughter's fiance prove that he did not commit a series of murders.

Director:

Jeannot Szwarc

Writers:

Edgar Allan Poe (story), David Epstein (teleplay)

Stars:

George C. Scott, Rebecca De Mornay, Ian McShane

Cast

Cast overview:
George C. Scott	...	Auguste Dupin
Rebecca De Mornay	...	Claire Dupin
Ian McShane	...	Prefect of Police
Neil Dickson	...	Adolphe Le Bon
Val Kilmer	...	Phillipe Huron
Maud Rayer	...	Melle L'Espanaye
Maxence Mailfort	...	Inspector Alphonse
Fernand Guiot	...	Dupar
Patrick Floersheim	...	The Sailor
Roger Lumont	...	Sergeant Marcel
Erick Desmarestz	...	Inspector Bec
Yvette Petit	...	Laundress
Serge Ridoux	...	Prison Guard
Mak Wilson	...	Ape, performed by

Storyline

The mysterious and grisly murders of a mother and daughter leave police investigators puzzled. Few clues were left behind. The killer could not have fled via the windows as they were nailed shut. Nor was the killer observed leaving by neighbors. It seems the only person with the skills to solve the crime is Auguste Dupin, who has been released from the police department by the new prefect. After much persuasion from his daughter, whose fiance is charged with the crime, Dupin begins to investigate the case on his own, and puts together quite an interesting scenario in solving the crime.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | retirement | detective | lightning rod | gendarme | 

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Horror

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Echo Bridge Home Entertainment

Country:

USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 December 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Morgue-utcai gyilkosság

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Film Productions S.A., Robert Halmi

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 92 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Auguste Dupin: Nothing comes before chess, my dear. Haven't I taught you anything?

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Connections

Version of Phantom of the Rue Morgue (1954)

User Reviews

Just Didn't Deliver

Considering the fine start in this film, the movie overall was a huge disappointment. Part of that great beginning was the cinematography, a real eye-grabber particularly in the first 5-10 minutes.

The story begins to drag after awhile and it wasn't worthwhile sticking with it all the way - even though I did - because the ending is very unsatisfying.

I didn't recognize Rebecca deMornay, she looked so young. Val Kilmer, too, must have been at the beginning of his career. Being a TV movie, the language was pretty tame, which was nice, but the story just didn't deliver. It's not something I would give a second look.