Dark Places (1973 film)
Dark Places is a 1973 British horror film directed by Don Sharp and starring Robert Hardy, Christopher Lee, Joan Collins and Herbert Lom.[1][2]
Dark Places | |
---|---|
Directed by | Don Sharp |
Produced by | James Hannah Jr. |
Written by | Ed Brennan Joseph Van Winkle |
Starring | Christopher Lee Joan Collins Herbert Lom |
Music by | Wilfred Josephs |
Cinematography | Ernest Steward |
Edited by | Teddy Darvas |
Production company | Glenbeigh Limited |
Distributed by | Cinerama Releasing Corporation (USA) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 91 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Plot
Dr. Mandeville (Christopher Lee) and his sister Sarah (Joan Collins) try to locate two suitcases of money hidden on the large estate of one of his former patients but their plans are thwarted when mentally unstable Edward (Robert Hardy) arrives to claim the estate which had been left to him by the owner before he died. Edward soon begins to have flashbacks to the murders committed by the previous owner Andrew (Hardy as well). As the story unfolds it sheds light on the events of 30 years or so before when Andrew had planned to leave his wife Victoria (Jean Marsh) for the younger and more attractive governess of their two children. In desperaration Victoria had encouraged the two children to murder the governess whilst she attempted to seduce Andrew in the bedroom. In a fit of rage Andrew strangled his wife and killed the children with a sword before bricking all four corpses up behind a wall with the two cases of money.
Edward eventually strangles Sarah and kills Dr. Mandeville with a pick axe before getting arrested and led away by police.
Cast
- Christopher Lee - Doctor Ian Mandeville
- Joan Collins - Sarah Mandeville
- Herbert Lom - Prescott
- Jane Birkin - Alta
- Robert Hardy - Edward Foster / Andrew Marr
- Jean Marsh - Victoria
- Carleton Hobbs - Old Marr
- Roy Evans - Baxter
- Martin Boddey - Sgt. Riley
- John Glyn-Jones - Bank Manager
- John Levene - Doctor
- Jennifer Thanisch - Jessica
- Michael McVey - Francis
- Barry Linehan - Asylum Gatekeeper
Release
Reception
TV Guide awarded the film 1/5 stars, calling it 'mediocre in all respects'.[4] Dave Sindelar from Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings gave the film a negative review, criticizing the film's "sluggish" pacing, repetition, and final act. Sindelar did however, commend the film's performances.[5]
References
- BFI.org
- Vagg, Stephen (27 July 2019). "Unsung Aussie Filmmakers: Don Sharp – A Top 25". Filmink.
- "Dark Places (1974) - Don Sharp". Allmovie.com. Allmovie. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- "Dark Places - Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings". TV Guide.com. TV Guide Staff. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- Sindelar, Dave. "Dark Places (1973)". Fantastic Movie Musings.com. Dave Sidnelar. Retrieved 10 July 2019.