For many when the term gothic is tossed out all they can
think of is teens dressed in black sporting tattoos and piercings. The fact is
that the gothic novel and movie involve much more than that and actually never
go that direction at all. The gothic novel often involved images of horror
combined with romance and mystery. More often than not these novels seemed to
take place in forbidding mansions of the past and had a heroine placed in
turmoil. It was less about bloodletting and more about the story that was
taking place, the jeopardy that concerned our main character.
THE LEGACY for many was overlooked when it was released and
disregarded by horror fans who felt it didn’t deserve a horror tag. Keep in
mind that this was shortly after HALLOWEEN had been released and just before
Jason slaughtered kids at summer camp. That was the mindset of horror at the
time. Because of that many missed out on what is a good movie. That can all be
corrected with this blu-ray release from Shout/Scream Factory.
The story revolves around a young architect named Maggie
Walsh (Katherine Ross) and her boyfriend/partner Pete Danner (Sam Elliott).
Maggie receives a check for $50,000 to come to England and handle a job there
though it’s not spelled out exactly what the job entails. While Pete is
hesitant without any information, the pair decide to go to England and if
nothing else enjoy a short vacation.
As they drive through the countryside on a motorcycle
they’re run off the road by a car going the opposite direction. The owner of
the car, Jason Mountolive, apologizes and offers to take the bike in to be
fixed and make them his guests. Pete isn’t happy about this (that seems to be
his mood throughout the film) but he and Maggie accept. What they don’t expect
is the lavish mansion that Mountolive lives in. He tells them to go ahead in,
make themselves at home and he will join them later.
They take him up on his offer and spend an afternoon in bed
together. The sound of a nearing helicopter rouses them from bed and Pete
watches as four other guests arrive. When he goes to shower something strange
happens; the handle stops working and the hot water is all that pours out.
Breaking the glass door he escapes with a few cuts and a rising anger. Maggie
retrieves some medical supplies and patches him up before they go downstairs to
meet the rest.
Among the other guests are Jacques Grandier, Karl Liebnecht
and Barbara Kirstenburg. Missing is Maria Gabrielli who is taking advantage of
the pool that Mountolive had built especially for her. Looking around the house
Pete watches her as she swims elegantly, joined by Maggie shortly after. When
they leave to join the rest tragedy takes place.
The guests are later joined by Clive Jackson (Roger Daltry)
and more information is learned. It seems that each is a leader in their own
field, all are wealthy beyond belief and each of them is indebted to Mountolive
for their success. When called to his bedside with the others, Maggie is
stunned that he is in a shielded bed and barely able to speak. This can’t be
the same man she met earlier. It is at this point the mystery deepens as
Mountolive places a ring on Maggie’s finger that she can’t remove.
Suspicions that the group is involved in something evil come
to mind and Maggie and Pete try to leave. But their suspicions were well
founded and they discover that leaving is something that won’t happen.
Returning to the mansion the purpose of Maggie’s invitation to England, what
exactly each of the guests is doing here and the mystery of Mountolive are all
explained before the end credits role.
The movie works on so many levels and the shortcomings are
so minor as to not be worth mentioning. As a gothic horror film the elements
are all there from the damsel in distress to the mansion found in the English
countryside. Gothic doesn’t necessarily mean coated in cobwebs or dark dungeons
and this stately manor feels like it holds more mystery than most, even with numerous
modern amenities to be found.
The actors involved all do a tremendous job. Ross and
Elliott have always been easy on the eyes while being consummate actors at the
same time. The fact that they were romantically involved when the movie was
made (and remain so to this day) wasn’t lost on fans at the time. The rest of
the cast does a fine job as well going from an attitude of superiority to fear
that they might lose their lives in a believable manner.
The extras here are small and not worth going on about but
the quality of the release is top notch. While the film is a horror picture and
does feature a few special effects and make up sequences it doesn’t rely on
those, relying more on the story being told to create the horror involved. This
was a fresh idea at the time and remains so today. Kudos to Shout/Scream
Factory for allowing us to enjoy it again.
Click here to order.
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