Watch The Skull

The Skull is a classic British horror film from 1965, directed by Freddie Francis and starring some of the most iconic actors of the genre, including Peter Cushing, Patrick Wymark, and Christopher Lee. Based on a short story by Robert Bloch, the movie revolves around the legend of the Marquis de Sade and a cursed artifact that holds great power and terror.

The story begins with Christopher Maitland (played by Cushing), a collector of occult objects and macabre memorabilia, who gets his hands on the skull of the Marquis de Sade. The skull is said to have supernatural powers and bring misfortune and death to anyone who possesses it. Maitland is warned of the risks, but he is so fascinated by the artifact that he disregards the warnings and decides to keep it in his collection.

Soon after, strange things begin to happen. Maitland experiences terrifying nightmares and hallucinations, and he becomes increasingly obsessed with the skull. He starts to neglect his wife, Jane (played by Jill Bennett), and his friends, including Antony Marco (played by Wymark), a fellow collector who is also interested in the dark arts. Marco is concerned about Maitland's growing obsession and warns him of the dangers of the skull, but Maitland dismisses his concerns.

As the story unfolds, we learn more about the cursed history of the Marquis de Sade and his influence on the lives of those who possess his skull. The movie explores some dark themes, including sadism, torture, and death, and it has some truly disturbing and chilling moments that will stick with you long after the movie is over.

One of the most memorable scenes in the movie involves a terrifying nightmare sequence in which Maitland is pursued by the ghostly figure of the Marquis de Sade. The scene is beautifully shot, with haunting imagery and a sense of dread that will make your skin crawl. Another standout performance is by Christopher Lee, who plays a character named Sir Matthew Phillips, an expert on the occult who is called in to help unravel the mystery of the skull.

Overall, The Skull is a masterfully crafted horror film that blends suspense, supernatural horror, and psychological terror in a way that few movies of its time did. The acting is superb, the cinematography is stunning, and the soundtrack adds to the tension and unease of the story. If you are a fan of classic horror movies or simply enjoy a good scare, then The Skull is a must-see movie that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

The Skull is a 1965 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.