Watch Nothing But the Night

Nothing But the Night is a 1973 British horror-thriller film directed by Peter Sasdy and starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and Diana Dors. The film is based on the novel by John Blackburn, and it tells the story of a series of mysterious deaths linked to a group of young orphans who are under the care of the Van Traylen Foundation.

The movie begins with a small airplane crashing into a Scottish loch, killing all passengers and crew except for one teenage girl who is found alive but in a state of shock. The girl has no identification and can't remember who she is, where she came from, or why she was on the plane. The authorities place her in the care of the Van Traylen Foundation, a charitable organization that takes care of orphaned children and troubled teenagers.

The Foundation is led by Sir Mark Ashley (Christopher Lee), a wealthy and influential businessman who is also a member of the British Parliament. Sir Mark is concerned about the girl's identity and assigns his chief psychiatrist, Dr. Marlowe (Peter Cushing), to investigate the case. Dr. Marlowe is a meticulous investigator who is skeptical of paranormal phenomena and prefers to rely on rational explanations.

As Dr. Marlowe delves into the girl's past, he discovers that she was part of a group of six orphans who were once under the care of the Foundation. The orphans were all born on the same day, and they displayed inexplicable abilities that could be described as supernatural. The Foundation conducted experiments on the orphans to study their powers, but the experiments ended in tragedy when five of the orphans died in a fire, and the sixth disappeared.

Dr. Marlowe becomes convinced that the surviving girl is linked to the events that led to the fire and the deaths of the other orphans. His investigation uncovers a web of conspiracies and cover-ups involving Sir Mark, the Foundation, and a secret society that practices dark rituals and sacrifices.

Nothing But the Night is a slow-burning thriller that highlights the talents of its three main actors. Christopher Lee delivers a subdued performance as Sir Mark Ashley, a complex character whose motivations and allegiances are unclear until the end of the movie. Peter Cushing is equally effective as Dr. Marlowe, a rational and methodical investigator who gradually realizes that the girl's case is far from ordinary. Diana Dors, in a supporting role, brings a touch of glamour and menace to the movie as a wealthy widow who seems to have a hidden agenda.

The film's cinematography and music score also deserve praise. Peter Sasdy, the director, creates a moody and atmospheric setting that adds to the suspense and mystery of the story. The Scottish landscapes, the eerie ruins of a castle, and the shadowy interiors of the Foundation's facilities all contribute to the film's sense of foreboding and claustrophobia. The music, by Malcolm Williamson, is haunting and evocative, using electronic sounds and dissonant chords to create an otherworldly atmosphere.

Nothing But the Night is not a conventional horror movie. It relies more on psychological tension and intrigue than on gore and jump scares. The supernatural elements are subtle and ambiguous, leaving room for the audience's interpretation and imagination. The film's themes include power, corruption, science, and mysticism, and it raises thought-provoking questions about the limits of human knowledge and the ethics of experimentation.

In conclusion, Nothing But the Night is an underrated gem of British horror and a showcase of the talents of its three iconic actors. It is a must-see for fans of Gothic thrillers and psychological mysteries.

Nothing But the Night is a 1973 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.