Die, Monster, Die! (1965) - film review

American Stephen Reinhart comes to England at the request of the mother of his former girlfriend, Susan Witley.  To his surprise, the locals in the village where the Witleys live refuse to provide him with transport to his destination.  It is as if they are warning him to stay away.  Undeterred, Stephen makes his own way to the ancient house, although the reception he receives from Susan’s father is far from friendly.  Susan is grateful for Stephen’s visit and she immediately takes him to her mother.  Bedridden, her face hidden by a dark veil, Mrs Witley begs Stephen to take her daughter away from the house.  As the American soon discovers there is something evil in the house – something evil and monstrous...

An awkward concoction of low budget Gothic horror and B-movie sci-fi at its daftest, Die, Monster, Die! is just about saved by its atmospheric art direction and photography which owes much to the Roger Corman chillers that preceded it.  In one of his later roles, Boris Karloff still has what it takes to chill the blood, but his co-stars are so lacking in talent and charisma that it is hard for the spectator to engage with their characters, which diminishes the film’s impact somewhat.

Loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story The Colour Out of Space, the film is competently directed and does deliver one or two thrills (the climax is particularly well realised). Ultimately, however, Die, monster, die is just a bag of familiar horror clichés, although satisfying in spite of that.

© filmsdefrance.com 2009

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