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The Skull

Play trailer Poster for The Skull 1965 1h 23m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 52% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Madness fills the mind of a professor (Peter Cushing) who buys the stolen skull of the Marquis de Sade.
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The Skull

Critics Reviews

View All (4) Critics Reviews
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A sporadically entertaining terror tale. Rated: 2.5/4 May 24, 2022 Full Review Tim Brayton Alternate Ending A very solid and satisfying version of bog-standard horror stuff... [until] the movie takes a major step up in quality, interest, and just plain all-around weirdness. Rated: 3.5/5 Oct 7, 2020 Full Review Ian Berriman SFX Magazine The Skull succeeds against the odds... Freddie Francis enlivens a rote script with his visual flair. May 24, 2010 Full Review Lucius Gore ESplatter While the film drags in parts and can't be counted as a classic, it's a rock solid Amicus production and a must-see for fans of that studio's work. Rated: 3/4 Aug 12, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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isla s This is a fairly typical film of its type from when it dates - the 1960s. There are a couple of quite creepy instances/scenes and it does well at creating an unsettling sense. The film is relatively short - short and sweet. Its not a particularly memorable film as such, just an ok one, one of the Amicus films. I wouldn't particularly recommend it as such, no. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Matthew D Peter Cushing acquires the Marquis de Sade's skull and is driven into madness. It seems Sade was a practitioner of the black arts and that there's still a lot of life in those rocking bones, or at least in the skull portion. Also featuring Christopher Lee (thankfully, not as Dracula) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/23/20 Full Review Audience Member Movie have good bone structure. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review andy f This one is Amicus not Hammer but it is a typical Cushing/Lee film. It starts brightly enough but runs out of plot half way through. Has a good spooky atmosphere throughout but the second half of the film is disappointing. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Peter Cushing Stars As Demonology Professor Christopher Maitland, In This Brit Cult Horror From The Cult Horror Production Company, Amicus. Adapted From The Robert Bloch (Psycho) Short Story, "The Skull Of The Marquis De Sade", The Film Follows Maitland, Who Purchases The Cursed Skull, To Study The Occult. However As Time Goes On The Skull Possesses His Mind. This Can Be Hardly Called A Classic, But Is A Must For Fans Of Peter Cushing, Who Gives A Great Performance (He Rarely Gives A Bad One). The Film Itself, Is Well Written, Well Scripted & Over All A Pretty Decently Made Film. This Was Made At The Height Of B-Movie Horror's Which Showcased That A Horror Doesn't Have To Scare You Or Be Gory To Be Highly Entertaining. All You Needed Was The Correct Chilling Atmosphere, A Cast Who Give Excellent Performances & A Gothic Over/Undertone. They Certainly Don't Make Films Like This Anymore, Which Is A Real Shame. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member The Skull's tag-line reads, "When the skull strikes, you'll scream!" That generic phrase alone should serve as a warning of the boredom to come. The film is about a possessed skull with supernatural powers and unexplained evil motives. Although it stars the legendary Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, it has very little dialogue and isn't compelling nor even somewhat believable. It's a difficult watch but there are some very well done first-person camera shots that will remind you of John Carpenter's Halloween. 2/5 Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Skull

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Madness fills the mind of a professor (Peter Cushing) who buys the stolen skull of the Marquis de Sade.
Director
Fred Francis
Producer
Milton Subotsky
Screenwriter
Milton Subotsky
Production Co
Paramount
Genre
Horror
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 16, 2017
Runtime
1h 23m
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