This is an atmospheric gothic chiller based on a short story by American author Robert Bloch known as "The Skull of Marquis De Sade". It stars Peter Cushing as Christopher Maitland, a demonologist researching on the occult who acquires the skull of the cruel general Marquis De Sade through an unscrupulous dealer and becomes possessed by the spirit of the Marquis residing within the skull. We learn that the skull had been exhumed from the grave of the marquis by one person who later dies while trying to clean the skull.
Years later, the skull has found its way into the hands of the dealer who proceeds to dispose off the same by demanding a large sum from Maitland. We learn that the skull has been stolen from the possession of another collector Sir Mathew Phillips who is less than desirous of reclaiming it since he has experienced its evil influence. He also warns Maitland of its corrupting power, however Maitland has already become attached to the skull and will not think of losing it. Then as the film progresses, we witness Maitland slowly losing his grip on reality and sanity. This is portrayed through images of Maitland staring at the skull at all times when he is working in his central study room in one of whose cabinets he has placed the skull. Maitland even takes to murder of the dealer when the skull is stolen from him. His thoughts and actions become primarily negative and murderous, and by the end of the movie it is clear that the skull's evil power has all but consumed him as he attempts to murder his wife whom he otherwise loves dearly. In the process he loses his own life while his god believing wife is left untouched.
The story is an illustrative demonstration of the common theme of good versus evil where those dabbling in dark arts and the occult are most prone to be influenced by the evil that is present all around us. Yet even then there appears to be a distinction among those with unbroken faith in god and those who have no such belief or faith and tend to veer into wrong ways, the implication being that strength of mind and belief in the presence of god can prevent the corruption by any evil force to seep into man's consciousness and actions.
Another remarkable point is that the movie uses bare minimum special effects such as gore to highlight its point, instead its efficacy lies in its ability to impress certain images in the mind of tge viewer such as repeated close ups of Maitland 's eyes and then the skull to indicate the beginning of his obsession and ultimate destination, and broken wall mirrors to showcase impending terror.
Years later, the skull has found its way into the hands of the dealer who proceeds to dispose off the same by demanding a large sum from Maitland. We learn that the skull has been stolen from the possession of another collector Sir Mathew Phillips who is less than desirous of reclaiming it since he has experienced its evil influence. He also warns Maitland of its corrupting power, however Maitland has already become attached to the skull and will not think of losing it. Then as the film progresses, we witness Maitland slowly losing his grip on reality and sanity. This is portrayed through images of Maitland staring at the skull at all times when he is working in his central study room in one of whose cabinets he has placed the skull. Maitland even takes to murder of the dealer when the skull is stolen from him. His thoughts and actions become primarily negative and murderous, and by the end of the movie it is clear that the skull's evil power has all but consumed him as he attempts to murder his wife whom he otherwise loves dearly. In the process he loses his own life while his god believing wife is left untouched.
The story is an illustrative demonstration of the common theme of good versus evil where those dabbling in dark arts and the occult are most prone to be influenced by the evil that is present all around us. Yet even then there appears to be a distinction among those with unbroken faith in god and those who have no such belief or faith and tend to veer into wrong ways, the implication being that strength of mind and belief in the presence of god can prevent the corruption by any evil force to seep into man's consciousness and actions.
Another remarkable point is that the movie uses bare minimum special effects such as gore to highlight its point, instead its efficacy lies in its ability to impress certain images in the mind of tge viewer such as repeated close ups of Maitland 's eyes and then the skull to indicate the beginning of his obsession and ultimate destination, and broken wall mirrors to showcase impending terror.
