Torture Garden
Year of Release: 1967
Director: Freddie Francis
Screenplay: Robert Bloch
Starring; Jack Palance, Burgess Meredith, Beverley Adams, Peter Cushing, Michael Bryant, Barbara Ewing
Running Time: 90 minutes
Genre: Horror
At a circus sideshow run by the mysterious Dr. Diabolo (Meredith), a group of people are invited to view their bizarre futures which involve a murderer running afoul of a diabolical man-eating cat; an ambitious movie actress learning that her costars are androids; a journalist incurring the wrath of a malevolent piano, and a collector running afoul of the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe.
Back in the 1960s and 70s, in the world of British horror cinema, the main rival to Hammer Films was Amicus which specialised in portmanteau films where a series of self contained short stories were linked by a framing narrative, and Torture Garden is decent example of this. Scripted by Robert Bloch, best known as the author of Psycho, and directed by cinematographer turned director Freddie Francis, it's not scary, and there is nothing particularly shocking, or surprising about it. It also suffers from bad special effects, and some of it is ludicrous, particularly the scene where Barbara Ewing is pursued by a murderous piano. However it is visually stylish, with some inventive shots and camera angles. It also is an enjoyable film, which makes for a fun diversion on a dreary afternoon.
Director: Freddie Francis
Screenplay: Robert Bloch
Starring; Jack Palance, Burgess Meredith, Beverley Adams, Peter Cushing, Michael Bryant, Barbara Ewing
Running Time: 90 minutes
Genre: Horror
At a circus sideshow run by the mysterious Dr. Diabolo (Meredith), a group of people are invited to view their bizarre futures which involve a murderer running afoul of a diabolical man-eating cat; an ambitious movie actress learning that her costars are androids; a journalist incurring the wrath of a malevolent piano, and a collector running afoul of the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe.
Back in the 1960s and 70s, in the world of British horror cinema, the main rival to Hammer Films was Amicus which specialised in portmanteau films where a series of self contained short stories were linked by a framing narrative, and Torture Garden is decent example of this. Scripted by Robert Bloch, best known as the author of Psycho, and directed by cinematographer turned director Freddie Francis, it's not scary, and there is nothing particularly shocking, or surprising about it. It also suffers from bad special effects, and some of it is ludicrous, particularly the scene where Barbara Ewing is pursued by a murderous piano. However it is visually stylish, with some inventive shots and camera angles. It also is an enjoyable film, which makes for a fun diversion on a dreary afternoon.
Comments
Post a Comment