Film OverviewThe movie "Horror !!!" released in 1964, is an American horror anthology movie, directed by Roger Corman. The movie is likewise known by the title "The Masque of the Red Death" which is the more extensively acknowledged of the 2 tales adapted from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. An unusual aspect of this film is that it comprises 2 unique stories: "The Masque of the Red Death", named after Poe's narrative, and "The Black Cat" another adjustment of Poe's works.
Main Plot"The Masque of the Red Death" is the main plot. It tells the story of Prince Prospero (played by Vincent Price), a ruthless and vicious ruler who oppresses the local peasantry while indulging a lavish way of life inside a fortress, having festivities regardless of the plague ravaging the land. An opportunity encounter with the gorgeous peasant lady, Francesca, leads Prospero to take her and her fiancé back with him to his castle where he subjects them to various tortures inspired by his twisted belief in Satanism.
In an attempt to leave the Red Death, a pester that's creating chaos outside the castle, Prospero welcomes fellow nobles to his castle, advising them to use masks, with the cruel intent of subjecting Francesca to their debaucheries. However, as scary strikes in the form of an unwanted Red-masked visitor who turns out to be the personification of the pester, Prospero's world comes crashing down, ultimately satisfying an awful end.
Secondary Plot "The Black Cat"The secondary plot "The Black Cat" functions as a kind of comic relief. It is flawlessly integrated into the main plot with Vincent Price playing Fortunato, an inebriated rogue who engages himself in a wine tasting contest versus another similarly unlikable character. After he utilizes his ill-treated girlfriend to deceive his challenger into a fatal trap, he faces extreme consequence when he underestimates the vindictive spirit of the black feline owned by the mistress which ultimately brings about his downfall.
Last Analysis"Horror !!!" differs from many other movies of its time with the striking use of color to develop a state of mind of worry and dread. The movie is mainly considered as a timeless, due in big part to Vincent Price's commanding efficiency and Roger Corman's skilled instructions that crafted a mental scary embodied by the idea of inevitable fate and death.
While the movie can absolutely be described as gruesome, it also explores much deeper themes like the futility of debauchery in the face of inevitable death. Below the horror, the plain reality of social oppression and abuse of power is clearly depicted, making it more than simply a common horror flick.
The interweaving of the 2 plots together with the clever usage of Edgar Allan Poe's narrative inspiration makes "Horror !!!" a cult classic of 1960's horror, with a mix of scare, satire, and soul-heaving dread that continues to resonate with audiences today.
Top Cast
