Watch The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake

The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake is a horror movie that was released in 1959. It tells the story of an anthropologist named Jonathan Drake, who becomes obsessed with the legend of an ancient South American tribe that used to shrink the heads of their enemies. When his brother dies under mysterious circumstances, he discovers that his family has been cursed by the tribe, and that four skulls that are keeping the curse alive need to be returned to their resting place.

The movie starts with a scene in which a woman is attacked and killed by an unseen assailant, while Jonathan Drake is giving a lecture on the history of the tribe that used to shrink heads. It soon becomes clear that there is a connection between the death of the woman and the curse that is affecting Drake's family. His brother, Kenneth, was killed in a similar fashion, and there are hints that other members of the family might also be in danger.

Drake starts investigating the curse, and he eventually learns that his family's troubles began when his grandfather stole the four skulls from the resting place of the South American tribe. The skulls were supposed to be the guardians of the tribe's secrets, and their theft angered the tribe, who then cursed the Drake family. The curse is supposed to end when the skulls are returned to their resting place.

Drake enlists the help of his fiancée, Elaine, and a private detective named Mr. Rowan to help him find the skulls. They soon discover that the skulls are in the possession of a wealthy collector named Allsbrook, who is willing to sell them to the highest bidder. They try to buy the skulls from Allsbrook, but he demands an exorbitant amount of money.

Things get even more complicated when a group of thugs try to steal the skulls from Drake and his companions. It becomes apparent that they are not the only ones who are after the skulls. There is a rival collector who is also interested in buying the skulls, and he is willing to resort to violence to get them.

The movie has a classic horror movie feel to it. The pacing is slow, and there are many scenes that feature characters walking through dark corridors or exploring old, creepy buildings. The characters are well-acted, and there are some genuinely scary moments.

One of the standout performances in the movie is Eduard Franz's portrayal of Jonathan Drake. He brings a sense of gravitas to the role, and he plays the character with a sense of urgency and desperation. Valerie French is also excellent as Elaine, Drake's fiancée. She brings a sense of intelligence to the role, and she is a strong female character in a time when such roles were rare in horror movies.

The special effects in the movie are quite good, considering the time in which it was made. The skulls themselves are well-designed, and they are genuinely creepy. There are some scenes towards the end of the movie that feature the skulls in action, and they are some of the most memorable moments in the film.

Overall, The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake is a well-made horror movie that is worth checking out for fans of the genre. It has a classic feel to it, and it is a good example of the type of horror movies that were popular in the late 1950s. The pacing might be slow for modern audiences, but for those who appreciate classic horror films, The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake is a must-see.

The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake is a 1959 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.