The Ghoul

"The Ghoul" was produced by Tyburn Films - one of the British Horror Companies that spurted up in response to Hammer Studio's worldwide Gothic horror movie success. This one should be of immediate interest to anyone who likes those films as it stars Hammer veteran Peter Cushing, Hammer starlet Veronica Carlson and is written and directed by Hammer stalwarts Anthony Hinds and Freddie Francis.

Ghoul begins at a roaring 1920's party where four bored guests decide to go drag racing and wind up at a strange mansion in the forest where a former priest (Cushing) resides with his creepy Indian housekeeper (brilliantly portrayed by Gwen Watford), and sadistic groundskeeper (a very early role by John Hurt). Now, I'm sure some of you may be raising your eyebrow and thinking "that tired story again?" - but as anyone who likes these kinds of movies knows, its all about the execution and this one's got it nailed down perfectly.

There are some gory surprises, nice Gothic stylings, and excellent performances nestled inside of this very vague, very familiar story. Alexandra Bastedo, is particularly wonderful as one of the feisty teenagers, ethereally beautiful Carlson is always a joy to watch and Cushing gives one of his finest turns ever here. Anyone who likes Hammer movies or Gothic horror in general would be well-advised in seeking out this lost treasure that for some reason, in spite of its stellar cast and production crew, has escaped a genuine DVD release in any country.

Those of you who love a good mystery should love this movie. After a party for the rich, 2 couples at the party decide to race to lands end in Cornwall. Soon one of the cars breaks down, one is off the road and they are in trouble. One of the women goes into a mansion to ask for help and it's clear that she's unwelcome. Peter Cushing plays Dr Lawrence who hides a dark secret in the attic. Cushing is quite dull in his role but he comes back at the end. John Hurt is completely miscast as the grumpy and perverted gardener. He actually plays the role very well and it's fun to see him do something interesting. He also invented a great new slap. He raises his hand and brings it down to chop the persons face with his fingers. I tried it and it's very painful! It shall be referred to as 'The ghoul slap'. As for the movie, the rest of the cast is on good form and Ian McCulloch stars in a pre 'Zombi 2' role. Still, he tries to take on the ghoul at the end and fails miserably. The atmosphere is superb with marshes and fog although the movie does run at a slow pace. Killings are the usual with stabbing's and shootings although some scenes have great special fx for gore. Particularly Ian McCulloch's demise. It is well worth a watch although it is very dodgy and quite slow. 5.5 out of 10.

How odd this is. It fits in the very broadest of terms into the "creepy old house" genre of films as we're mostly treated to major Bad Vibes about the goings-on. There's no readily apparent explanation the odd behavior that the characters at the manor illustrate; definitive eventfulness is scattered, and left vague and unexplained for much of the length. All does come into clarity, but not until the last ten minutes. All this follows from exposition of a very different tone than I'd have ever expected. In a similar vein, it's not easy to find the words with which to describe 'The ghoul.' The production design and art direction are outstanding, certainly; though some specific moments are perhaps too overexcited, I admire the cinematography and editing. The cast give strong performances, I believe, demonstrating severe personality of one manner or another; John Hurt especially stands out given the playful yet menacing idiosyncrasies of his role. And what else? Just as the feature cloaks its horror in substantial mystery, I'm not completely sure how to even feel about it.

How much of this murkiness is written into Anthony Hinds' screenplay, and how much of it was manifested through Freddie Francis' direction, is up for debate. One way or another I admire the work put into the picture in and of itself, and moreover the discrete effort to wash over the narrative with such abject secrecy. The story we get is ultimately absorbing, compelling, and satisfying: both the whole tale as it presents, the wisps of plot that are mostly reserved for the last minutes, and the obfuscation thereof. Through it all the picture maintains an air of foggy unease that's peppered with acts of violence, and all this crystallizes in a climax that's pointedly dark. And still - that everything is reserved for those last minutes means the climax feels a little overfull. And for as well done as everything is here, it all just feels off, like all the component parts are kluged together in an arrangement that continually veers one way or another from its center of gravity. I do actually quite like 'The ghoul,' yet it's rather a strangely atypical viewing experience.

I think it's enjoyable, and worthwhile on its own merits. I also think this is apt to find less appeal with the average horror audience. As familiar as it is, with recognizable strains, in one fashion or another 'The ghoul' is also a tad peculiar. It's a good bit of fun - just maybe not for everyone.

This is the first film from Tyburn Productions (a supposed latter-day successor to Hammer and Amicus; they also had Peter Cushing starring in Legend of the Werewolf(1975) and Masks of Death(1984)).

This has to rank as one of Peter Cushing's most memorable performances - his role is portrayed with such dedicated nervousness and emotion, that the viewer immediately gets his sympathy.

The female photographs used in the movie are of his real wife Helen, who had passed away in 1971. The tears that Peter Cushing sheds in this film are for real and it did affect the rest of the cast quite deeply.

Aside from this, the plot stumbles along with yawning gaps of pointless dialogue and actionless scenes, until the Ghoul is revealed at the end. It's not really worth the wait!

Watch it only for a dedicated professional at work who steals all the scenes and makes a poor film seem passable.

I have noticed a lot of rubbish written about this movie: its NOT a Hammer production (it's from Tyburn) although a lot of Hammer-regulars are involved in it; director Freddie Francis is NOT the brother of producer Kevin Francis, but his father; the only similarities between Alfred Hitchock's Psycho and this movie are a female lead-actress (Veronica Carlson of Hammer's Dracula Has Risen from the Grave and Frankenstein Must be Destroyed-fame) who is killed halfway through the movie after we have become to root for her and who's disappearance is investigated by people who knew her, and an atmospheric house which contains a supposedly hideous secret. Peter Cushing gives a great performance, mixing real-life emotions with acting (his sadness about his departed wife of which he show photographs to Veronica Carlson and which are photographs of his real wife who had died in 1971, is really hard to watch if you are familiar with the background-information); John Hurt is also great although his character is nothing more then a red herring; Gwen Watford gives a nice performance of a Hindu-housekeeper which is not sinister in herself but treated as sinister because Hindoes were considered sinister in the time-period the movie is set in. The Ghoul himself will be undoubtedly a let-down for gore-seekers; although he is cannibalistic, he turns out to be more of a sad retard than a monster. The element which makes this film a cult-classic is the sadness which pervades every scene once we have made entrance to the house; not any other movie, to my knowledge, makes the same impact of sadness and doom which are presented here through characterizations, surroundings and even time-period. It's a gem, worthy to seek out, but be warned: only one viewing may not be enough to appreciate it ! You have to take your time for it and watch it several times (with intervals)... It may haunt you...