Uncle Silas

Uncle Silas, known in the United States as The Dark Angel, is based on the classic early horror novel named Uncle Silas. There have been several versions of this story, but I think this one is the definitive presentation.

Peter O'Toole is in his glory here, being, by turns, charming, mysterious, unnerving and terrifying.

The production values in this made-for-TV adaption are VERY high. It was part of The Masterpiece Theater Series on PBS.

The story is disturbing and not all the questions raised are answered, leaving room for audience participation and a difference of opinion as to whether Uncle Siles was mad or possessed by a diabolic force.

The entire cast is splendid. NOT for the timid. There are some horrifying scenes in this one. Watch it for the magnificent, if slightly over-the-top performance of O'Toole.

I do wish there was not so much confusion about the name of this made-for-TV film. On the index of Peter O'Toole films Uncle Silas is listed before The Dark Angel. I believe the confusion rests in the fact that in Great Britain, the original title of the novel: Uncle Silas, is used, while here in the United State, the title has been changed to: The Dark Angel. That title refers to the mysterious oil portrait of Uncle Silas AS The Dark Angel. A portrait that the heroine, Maude, has been fascinated with for years.

The portrait shows a young and handsome Uncle Silas. When the story opens, Maude has not seen her Uncle since she was a small child.

Others have skillfully outlined the basic story, so I won't cover old ground.

To me, the film succeeds because of the brilliant staging and the great use of the outdoors. Maude is a captive not just inside Silas' mansion, but also in the garden.

The air is heavy with unspoken threat and danger is lurking behind every bush.

The director of The Dark Angel, Peter Hammond, did a masterful job of keeping the story rolling along and all his characters exactly at the correct emotional pitch in every scene.

He also leaves many questions unanswered so you can mull over this marvelous Gothic tale long after you have seen it.

I understand from friends that The Dark Angel is still available for purchase over the internet, but it is NO Longer Available for purchase thorough SunCoast or other retail dealers. If you can find it, watch it. The Dark Angel aka Uncle Silas who is, as we all know, really Peter O'Toole, will terrify and astound you.

The novel Uncle Silas is one of, if not THE oldest known horror stories where people ARE monsters and don't have to be invented.

Peter O'Toole is by turns, charming, corrupt, repulsive and terrifying! He is also brilliant in this role and seems to take great pleasure in BEING Uncle Silas.

The film, for TV, has high production standards and a marvelous cast. It is full of wonderful touches of the fantastic, while being firmly grounded in the early Victorian era. The houses are cluttered with all sorts of interesting bricka-brac and then there is the painting of Uncle Silas as The Dark Angel.

In fact, here in The United States the film is called The Dark Angel and there is some confusion when trying to purchase the film on VHS.

There are parts of this film that are very difficult to watch. The tension and the suspense build up to a fine pitch and terror is in every corner.

Is Uncle Siles simply mad or is there something more sinister effecting his reason?

Is there anyone that Maude can really trust? Who is the strange young man who threatens her and what are his motives?

See Uncle Silas, or in the U.S., The Dark Angel and find out. See this fine film for the bravura performance of Peter O'Toole. You will spend days asking yourself questions and have to watch the film more than once to find satisfactory answers.

It has mystery and suspense. It is heavy on eerie atmosphere throughout the movie which really sets the mood for the story. It has light romance which is not overblown. Peter O'toole makes a wonderful,wicked uncle. He is the only actor who could have played this role because he is very wicked yet unbelieveably charming.

I first saw this film on Mystery! in the early nineties while in college. The downright creepy tone of the movie is set from the beginning and continues through the end. That's probably what made me like it so much. You meet Maud and know that she is sheltered and innocent. You sense something sinister between her father and his estranged brother. When the father dies and Maud moves in with Uncle Silas (played by Peter O'Toole) everything seems normal enough for a while. However between the crumbling house Silas lives in, his weird children, the pills and wine he depends on, and the disturbing way he plays the helpless invalid, you soon can feel that something really bad is going to happen. The slow way in which things go downhill for Maud draws you in. I particularly liked the way the director used windows in the film.

A strung out looking O'Toole was perfect for the part of Uncle Silas.

The only negative thing was that the scenes changed so abruptly in several instances that I felt like I was watching an edited version.