The Sorcerers (1967)

An aging hypnotist creates a device that allows the user to control the mind of another person, but his wife abuses its power by manipulating a younger man to commit evil acts.

Director:

Michael Reeves

Writers:

Michael Reeves (screenplay), Tom Baker (screenplay)

Stars:

Boris Karloff, Catherine Lacey, Elizabeth Ercy

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Boris Karloff	...	Prof. Marcus Monserrat
Catherine Lacey	...	Estelle Monserrat
Elizabeth Ercy	...	Nicole
Ian Ogilvy	...	Mike Roscoe
Victor Henry	...	Alan
Sally Sheridan	...	Laura Ladd (as Dani Sheridan)
Alf Joint	...	Ron, the mechanic
Meier Tzelniker	...	The Jewish Baker
Gerald Campion	...	Customer in China Shop
Susan George	...	Audrey Woods
Ivor Dean	...	Insp. Matalon
Peter Fraser	...	Detective George
Martin Terry	...	Tobacconist
Bill Barnsley	...	Constable in Fur Store
Maureen Booth	...	Dancer (as Maureen Boothe)

Storyline

The great hypnotist Professor Montserrat has developed a technique for controlling the minds, and sharing the sensations, of his subjects. He and his wife Estelle test the technique on Mike Roscoe, and enjoy 'being' the younger man. But Estelle soon grows to love the power of controlling Roscoe, and the vicarious pleasures that provides. How far will she go, and can the Professor restrain her in time?

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Plot Keywords:

hypnotist | memory hole | mind control | psychotronic film | mini skirt | 

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Taglines:

HE TURNS THEM ON... HE TURNS THEM OFF... to live... love... die or KILL!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film features the actor Ivor Dean who appeared regularly in the original Saint TV series and Ian Ogilvy who appeared as the Saint in the reboot the Return of the Saint.

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Goofs

In the car chase near the end of the movie, Mike, in the Jaguar, is pursued by a police car. In the front seat of the police car are two uniformed cops on the outside and the girlfriend in the center. In the back seat, the detective in the trench coat is on the left, the mechanic is on the right, and another uniformed cop in the center. After Mike hits the brakes and the cop car overshoots an intersection, Mike speeds off. However, when the police car backs up and resumes the chase, only the detective is visible in the back seat. The mechanic and one uniformed cop are not visible as the car backs up and speeds after Mike.

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Quotes

Prof. Marcus Monserrat: From now on, we are going to control your mind.

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Connections

Referenced in Being John Malkovich (1999)

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Soundtracks

Sweet Nothing
Sung by Toni Daly
Played by Lee Grant & The Capitols (as Lee Grant and the Capitols)

User Reviews

Sadly forgotten, well worth a look

The aged Karloff stars as a disgraced hypnotist, eager to try out his new thought transferal device at the urge of his domineering wife (Lacey). Finding an ideal subject in a jaded youth (Ogilvy), the couple discover they can vicariously experience his every sensation while controlling his actions. Karloff wishes his invention to be used for the crippled and elderly to take a virtual vacation, while his wife revels in the thrill of committing various crimes through the young man. Her wishes increase from theft to murder. After she has successfully shattered Ogilvy's life and relationships, it boils down to a battle of wits between the two for control of the young man's psyche. It plays like an episode of the original Outer Limits series, with the couple's venture into realms man was not meant to explore, and tragic denouement although there is no Control Voice to lull us back to normality or offer a moral here.

Michael Reeves made one other film, the stunning Witchfinder General before taking his own life at the age of twenty-five. Who knows what the film's enfant terrible director might have accomplished had he lived? From subtle tricks of lighting, and the use of a story that fits the budget, to imaginative shots and an emphasis on action, it contains all the elements today's independent filmmakers should take note of. It is worth noting Ogilvy would later take on the role of mad scientist involved in mind control techniques in Fugitive Mind.

While dated in many aspects, it's a shame this film is all but forgotten, and unavailable commercially.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Sorcerers

Filming Locations:

West London Studios, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toby Tenser Films, Curtwel Productions, Global

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor) (uncredited)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1