Product: Malpertuis ( Malpertuis: Histoire d'une maison maudite ) ( Malpertuis: The Legend of Doom House ) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Belgium ]
Rating: 5.0
"Life, what is it but a dream?" - Lewis Carroll
The directors cutAmazon provides a thorough plot explanation so i won't go over it again, however what exactly is Malpertuis? In Film Comment's July/August 2007 issue it earns there Editor's pick of the month, Gavin Smith says to try to "imagine a hammer movie co-directed by Jean Cocteau and Raul Ruise and your getting warm.Malpertuis is a haunted house movie filled with dreamlike horror, one of the best, weirdest, and creative I have ever seen. As we see lanterns being put out by some sort of creatures lurking in the dark, we don't see them just hear there childlike evil snickering. What is in the attic and what experiments have taken place in the basement? The movie is filled with eroticism most of which is attributed by Susan Hampshire who plays three roles a virginal sister, Medusan cousin, and a sexually devouring aunt all equally sensual and sexual. Throw in some drama and even science fiction and you have something for everyone. In the 15 page booklet included with the dvd it spots H.P Lovecraft as an influence for writer Jean Ray who wrote the novel Malpertuis.The story starts with an illustration of Alice in Wonderland and from there we as viewers are taken for a trip through a rabbit hole ourselves.The scene where Orson Welles who plays the patriarch of this curious clan tosses out witty insults to them from his death bed degrading every member of his family, who await his death with glee is a classic.Orson Welles character Cassavius has alot in common with Citizen Kane. Both will die alone, even though Cassavius has family there he is still alone. That is not a plot spoiler he dies somewhat fast and i believe it is in the amazon review as well. Welle's Citizen Kane Character liked to surround himself with rare and valuable pieces of art, Cassavius also likes to surround himself with rare treasure the question is what, we find that out in a shocking ending Film Comment magazine editor Gavin Smith refers to as "one of cinema's most flabbergasting never-saw-it coming denouements of all timeDVDIncludes a 15 page information packed booklet on the movie.The dvd receives a criterion like treatmentDisc 1-Malpertuis: Director's cut w/ new high definition transfer (looked great)(1973: 119 minutes) Dutch language with removable English subtitles-Audio commentary from director Harry Kumel-Orson Welles uncut. A 25 minute featurette containing rare outakes fottage of Welles during the filming of Malpertuis-Susan Hampshire: One actrss, Thre parts. An 11 minute featurette new interviews with HampshireDisc 2-Malpertuis: Cannes Version (1972 100mins)-Reflections of Darkness: Del Valle on Kumel. a new 74 minute career length interview with director Kumel by noted film journalist David Del Valle.-Jan Ray/ John Flanders. a 7 minute featurette that delves into the fantastical world of the Belgian writer including archival interview footage.-Trailer-Plus liner notes from film historians David Del Valle and Ernest MathijsHere is the poem referred to in the movie by Lewis Carroll i found it interesting after watching the movie.LIFE IS BUT A DREAMby: Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)BOAT, beneath a sunny skyLingering onward dreamilyIn an evening of July--Children three that nestle near,Eager eye and willing ear,Pleased a simple tale to hear--Long has paled that sunny sky;Echoes fade and memories die;Autumn frosts have slain July.Still she haunts me, phantomwise,Alice moving under skiesNever seen by waking eyes.Children yet, the tale to hear,Eager eye and willing ear,Lovingly shall nestle near.In a Wonderland they lie,Dreaming as the days go by,Dreaming as the summers die;Ever drifting down the stream--Lingering in the golden gleam--Life, what is it but a dream?