‘Death is the life and soul of the party’
The Masque of the Red Death is a 1989 horror film about a female photographer who sneaks into a lavish party at a Bavarian castle. Mayhem ensues as assorted Poe story devices start doing away with the guests.
The movie was directed by Alan Birkinshaw (The House of Usher 1989 Ten Little Indians; Invaders of the Lost Gold aka Horror Safari; Killer’s Moon) from a screenplay by Michael J. Murray (Visitors of the Night; Love Kills; The House of Usher). It was produced by Avi Lerner and Harry Alan Towers and executive produced (uncredited) by Menahem Golan.
The film has very little to do with Poe’s work other than being set at a costume party themed after the writer’s short story of the same name and a death involving a ‘Pit and the Pendulum’ clock.
The 21st Century Film Corporation-Breton Film Productions movie stars Frank Stallone (Ten Little Indians), Brenda Vaccaro (Ten Little Indians; Death Weekend), Herbert Lom (The Sect; The Phantom of the Opera), Michelle McBride (Subspecies), Christine Lunde, Christobel d’Ortez, Simon Poland, Foziah Davidson, Lindsay Reardon, Godfrey Charles, Andrew Barrett, Paul Andrews and Deon Opperman.
This movie should not be confused with the other 1989 The Masque of the Red Death, which was produced by Roger Corman, directed by Larry Brand and stars Adrian Paul and Patrick Macnee.
Film facts:
Jack Palance was originally signed for the part of Ludwig but had to drop out.
Uses the same sets as The House of Usher (1989).
During the opening credits, Rebecca is driving to a Bavarian castle in a convertible VW Golf car. After a brief splattery nightmare, she disdainfully looks at a copy of the 1986 Penguin Classics edition of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Writings, including the 1842 story ‘The Masque of the Red Death’.
Free on YouTube:
Cast and characters:
Frank Stallone … Duke; Brenda Vaccaro … Elaina; Herbert Lom … King Ludwig; Michelle McBride … Rebecca; Christine Lunde … Colette; Christobel d’Ortez … Doctor Karen; Simon Poland … Max; Foziah Davidson … Kitra; Lindsay Reardon … Dallon; Godfrey Charles … Hans; Andrew Barrett … Jimmy; Paul Andrews … Gameskeeper; Deon Opperman … Magician
Countries of origin:
Canada, South Africa, the UK and the USA
Filming locations:
Johannesburg, South Africa
Technical specs:
1 hour 33 minutes
Dolby
Aspect ratio: 1.85: 1
Related:
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