Malpertuis (1971)
Genre: Horror / Drama
Duration: 125 minuten
Country:
Belgium / France / West Germany
Directed by: Harry Kümel
Stars: Orson Welles, Mathieu Carrière and Susan Hampshire
IMDb score:
6,6 (1.878)
Releasedate: 1 January 1971
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Malpertuis plot
The blond sailor Jan returns to the family home, where his dying uncle Cassavius has gathered the family for the reading of his will. Once inside the walls of Malpertuis, a ruin with endless corridors and hidden rooms, Jan feels like a prisoner and escape seems impossible. Yet he is determined to unlock the secret of Malpertuis. Meanwhile, he falls under the spell of three young women, his cynical sister Nancy, the lustful Alice and the exotic Euryale.
Actors and actresses
Cassavius
Nancy / Euryale / Alice / Nurse / Charlotte
Charles Dideloo
Jan
Lampernisse
Mathias Crook
Eisengott
Sylvie Dideloo
Philarette
Bets
Reviews & comments
Donkerwoud
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- 8660 messages
- 3940 votes
Even before the paterfamilias (Orson Welles) has breathed his last, the heirs line up to receive his material goods. Sailor Jan (Mathieu Carrière) wants to escape with the sister whose voluptuous body he has already tasted several times. The rest of the family is already breathing down the neck of the dying person; they all see their desire reflected to escape the gray mouse existence of everyday life. They are carnivalesque figures, apparently escaped from the great Russian novels. Vicious, mutually hating creeps who count themselves rich in advance when their uncle dies. But the dying ancestor has a last trump card up his sleeve: his will binds every descendant to the Malpertuis house. Eternally.
Malpertuis is a labyrinthine location full of corridors, stairs, alcoves, hidden spaces and places to spy on each other. An oppressive place where dead animals stare at you; where invisible rats gnaw, rattle, groan, crawl. Everywhere there are places to peek or be peeked at. Demented Hogwarts. Malpertuis is a carnivalesque, peasant place. Where family ties are a facade of petty bourgeoisie and prudishness. Where people only speak to each other in mean allusions, unable to have loving bonds. Malpertuis is a sultry, sensual place of forbidden love, perversion, excitement and (subcutaneous) sexual tension. It is not a film that relies on a logically coherent plot or psychological development, but it manages to exploit the Gothic location for a surreal, associative trip through the subconscious. A film like no other: crude comedy, horror, satire about the human condition, eroticism and myth. Crazy and strange, but completely unique.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Bobbejaantje
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- 2260 messages
- 2062 votes
The version I watched is the Dutch-dubbed director's cut by Harry Kümel. At first I wanted to watch the English (Cannes) version, but because it did not have Kümel's approval, I respected his wish, even though I am not a fan of dubbed situations.
Absolutely enjoyed this fantasy story, which typically takes place in long corridors and baroque rooms of Malpertuis, an unspecified house/castle in which everything initially revolves around the dying Cassavius, played by Orson Welles. Orson Welles can be seen in the first half of the film, and immediately attracts all the attention. The real leading role is played by Mathieu Carrière. But perhaps the real star of the film for me is Susan Hampshire. I didn't even realize it at first, but she has taken on three different female roles. When I found out I thought for a moment: brilliant!
The scenario seems confused, but that is also the intention since logic is not necessarily important in the whole setup. In terms of setting and approach to the scenario, it actually reminded me of Dario Argento, also because there is even gore to be seen.
And although there is no mention of it in the extras on the DVD, and the film is based on a book by Jean Ray, I still had to think hard about Le Procès (1962) - MovieMeter.nl, with Orson Welles as director and also actor. In the same film he is also in charge of things from bed, in the middle of a labyrinth, which corresponds to Malpertuis.
Gerry Fisher's beautiful photography certainly provides great added value. It's a pity that the launch of the film was ruined by the first edit, which was later corrected by Kümel, but in the meantime the film has acquired a kind of cult status and I'm glad that I have now seen it myself.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Giwreh
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- 2 messages
- 1 votes
I love this film, since it came out in the 1970-ies , until now. Seen it many times.
I wish to make a note on the language versions.
Although is was a "Flemish" (Dutch language Belgium) script and direction , with a 3-country-production, the original language spoken is French. This version is acted extremely well.
Then, there was the Dutch dubbing. It was done under a "Hollandic" team of voices, to my opinion 3rd grade, pathetic theatrical, stiff and loose of any emotions. As if the "voice actors" were presenting a commercial for toilet paper... This dubbing is so bad, we almost get a stomach pain from it.
Later, I found the Spanish dubbing of same. BRILLIANT !! When it came to bringing the emotions, even better played then the original French version !!!
... I wonder if an English spoken dubbing exists. (I've not met one until now, just curious)
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