Highly Overrated But Still Good

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

"Theatre of Death"'s biggest mystery is whether Christopher Lee's presence is a red herring or not; I will not spoil the answer, of course, but I will tell you that he doesn't have as many scenes as you might think. The film has its tedious moments, but it mostly keeps you guessing, and leads to a nifty climax featuring poetic justice and a feverish, nearly-nude voodoo dance. Solid, understated acting by the four principals also helps what turns out to be a good little horror story. **1/2 out of 4.

This is a suspenseful murder mystery set in Paris. Christopher Lee plays Philippe Darvas, the director of a playhouse named The Theater of Death. Charles Marquis(Julian Glover)is a crime center physician that becomes overly concerned with a series of murders, each bearing evidence that hints at vampirism. Charles feels that his lady friend Dani(Lelia Goldini)and her roommate Nicole(Jenny Till)may be in immediate danger, because they work for Darvas and suspicions make him a prime suspect. Afterall he directs plays that specialize in death. Very creepy atmosphere and music make this one fun to watch. Lee doesn't seem to have much screen time; but just the thought of his presence holds the story together. There is an erotic voodoo dance sequence that is sometimes cut. Other players featured: Joseph Furst, Ivor Dean and Evelyn Laye.

A troupe of young actors specialize in gory Grand Guignol plays at the Theatre of Death in Paris, France. Said plays are directed by the cruel, exacting and domineering Philippe Darvas (the great Christopher Lee in peak haughty'n'nasty form). Meanwhile, a series of brutal killings occur throughout the city. Is it Darvas or someone else who's the culprit? Director Samuel Gallu relates the engrossing story at a brisk pace, does an expert job of creating an eerie, misty atmosphere, and stages the murder set pieces with a reasonable amount of skill and style (there's some really nifty use of dissolves and freeze frames). Moreover, the cast all give solid and impressive performances: Julian Glover as dashing, humane coroner Charles Marquis, Lelia Goldoni as fragile, troubled, seasoned actress Dani Gireaux, Jenny Till as sweet eager ingénue Nicole Chapelle, Ivor Dean as the shrewd Inspector Micheaud, Joseph Furst as helpful psychiatrist Karl Schiller, and Evelyn Laye as classy theater owner Madame Angelique. Gilbert Taylor's polished, agile widescreen cinematography, the flavorsome period Paris setting, Elisabeth Lutyens' robust, shuddery score, and the rousing, startling conclusion are all likewise up to speed. An enjoyable film.

Not to be confused with the 1973 Vincent Price/Diana Rigg movie "Theatre of Blood," "Theatre of Death" (1966) gives us the story of a serial killer in modern-day Paris, who stabs victims and drains their blood (kind of like a 20th century Jacques the Ripper). The director of the local Theatre of Death, a Grand Guignol-type of entertainment, falls under suspicion, and, as played by that former neck nosher himself, "Mr. Tall, Dark and Gruesome," Christopher Lee, is is easy to see why. This sneaky, tyrannical, egomaniacal, Svengali-like, mesmerizing petty dictator is one intimidating personage indeed, and a likely suspect, to say the least. Anyway, I must admit that this little film has been stylishly shot and directed, handsomely produced, and well acted by one and all. However, it is also somewhat static, never especially scary or suspenseful, and certainly suffers when Lee's character mysteriously disappears halfway through. Still, it does somehow manage to hold the viewer's attention, although I'm still a trifle puzzled as to WHY the killer decided to go on a sudden homicidal spree, as well as a few other loose ends. To the film's credit, though, that killer's identity DOES come as something of a surprise (well, it did for me, anyway, but I've always been lousy at guessing this kind of thing). Yes, despite that gruesome title, and Mr. Lee's presence, this film IS more of a mystery thriller than a horror picture. Oh, and one other thing: An 11-minute interview with Mr. Lee makes for just one of the many fine extras on the crisp-looking DVD that I just watched.