The Shuttered Room
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nathaniel Tanchuck
(1959 story)
by August Derleth
H. P. Lovecraft
| The Shuttered Room | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | David Greene |
| Written by | D. B. Ledrov Nathaniel Tanchuck |
| Based on | "The Shuttered Room" (1959 story) by August Derleth H. P. Lovecraft |
| Produced by | Philip Hazelton |
| Starring | Gig Young Carol Lynley Oliver Reed Flora Robson |
| Cinematography | Kenneth Hodges |
| Edited by | Brian Smedley-Aston |
| Music by | Basil Kirchin |
Production companies | Troy-Schenck Productions Seven Arts Productions |
| Distributed by |
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Release date |
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Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom[1] |
| Language | English |
The Shuttered Room (also known as Blood Island) is a 1967 British horror film directed by David Greene in his feature directorial debut, starring Gig Young, Carol Lynley, Oliver Reed and Flora Robson.[1] It is based on the 1959 short story by August Derleth, published as a so-called "posthumous collaboration" with H. P. Lovecraft. The film was released in the UK by Warner-Pathé Distributors on June 27, 1967.
Susannah Kelton, a newly married woman who was raised in foster care in the city, learns that her real parents have died and left their property to her. She and her husband Mike travel to the island of Dunwich off the coast of Massachusetts to inspect the property. They find a local culture that is clannish, backward and ignorant. The few friends whom they make among the locals, including Susannah's aunt Agatha, warn them that the family mill is cursed and urge the Keltons to leave immediately and never look back.
Refusing to bow to superstition, the couple consider rebuilding the abandoned mill. They become the target of a gang of local thugs led by Susannah's lecherous cousin, Ethan. Their reign of terror is ended by something still living in the shuttered attic room of the mill, something that caused Susannah to have nightmares as a child.
Cast
- Gig Young as Mike Kelton
- Carol Lynley as Susannah Whately Kelton / Sarah
- Anita Anderson as young Susannah
- Oliver Reed as Ethan
- Flora Robson as Aunt Agatha
- Judith Arthy as Emma
- Rick Jones as Luther Whately
- Ann Bell as Mary Whately
- William Devlin as Zebulon Whately
- Donald Sutherland as Zebulon Whately (voice; uncredited)
- Charles Lloyd-Pack as Barge Master
- Bernard Kay as Tait
- Celia Hewitt as Aunt Sarah
- Robert Cawdron as Luther Whately
- Murray Evans, Clifford Diggins, and Peter Porteous as Gang Members
Production
Ken Russell was originally attached to direct the film, but was replaced shortly before filming started. Television director David Greene made his feature film debut.
Filming began in April 1966.[2] Although set in the U.S., the film was shot in England. Hollowshore Boatyard and The Shipwright's Arms in Faversham, Kent feature throughout the film, doubling as the town of Dunwich, Massachusetts. South Foreland Lighthouse in Dover also features as the exterior of Aunt Agatha's home.[3] The film features a large half-brick, half-timber watermill, which is destroyed by fire in the closing scenes. The building used was Hardingham Mill on the River Yare in Norfolk.[4]
William Devlin's lines were redubbed by an uncredited Donald Sutherland.