Belgium, France, West Germany, 1971
125m
35mm film, Gevacolor, 1.85:1
mono
A Belgian/French/West German horror film directed by Harry Kümel.
Premise
Sailor Jan is kidnapped and wakes to find himself in the rambling mansion Malpertuis where he is reunited with his sister Nancy and other relatives who have all been imprisoned in the house by their dying uncle Cassavius. He plans to leave his relatives a share of his fortune but to earn it they are all to remain in Malpertuis for the rest of their lives.
Credits
Crew
Director: Harry Kümel
© MCMLXXI [1971]
Pierre Levie and Paul Laffargue present a S.O.F.I.D.O.C. s.a. Brussels, Société d'expansion du Spectacle Paris, Les Productions Artistes Associés Paris, Artemis GMBH Berlin co-production
Produced by: Pierre Levie & Paul Laffargue
Screenplay: Jean Ferry
From the Novel Malpertuis by: Jean Ray
Director of Photography: Gerry Fisher
Editor: Richard Marden
Music: Georges Delerue
Sound: Jacques Eippers & Henry Morelle
Costumes: Claire-Lise Leisegang
Make-up: Odette Van der Greyn & Xlaudine Thyrion
Hairdresser: Lintermans
Special Effects: Michel Bernard, Jean Pecriaux
Art Director: Pierre Cadiou de Condé
Cast
Orson Welles (Cassavius)
Susan Hampshire (Nancy/Euryale/Alice/nurse/Charlotte)
Michel Bouquet (Charles Dideloo)
Mathieu Carriere (Jan)
Jean-Pierre Cassel (Lampernisse)
Daniel Pilon (Mathias Crook)
Walter Rilla (Eisengott)
Dora van der Groen (Sylvie Dideloo)
Charles Janssens (Philarette)
Sylvie Vartan (Bets)
Jet Naessens (Eleonora)
Cara Van Wersch (Rosalie)
Jenny Van Santvoort (Elodie)
Fanny Winkler (Mother Griboin)
Bob Storm [real name: Robert Lussac] (Griboin)
Edouard Ravais (Doucedame)
Gella Allaert (Gerda)
Hugo Dellas (Hans)
Cyriel Van Gent (man)
Alternative Titles
I Diathiki – Greece
Ketunpesä – Finland
The Legend of Doom House – USA
La leyenda de la casa maldita – Venezuela
Malpertuis (La mansión maldita) – Spain
Malpertuis: Histoire d'une maison maudite – Belgium (French)
Malpertuis: The Legend of Doom House – USA
O Pyrgos ton zontanon nekron – Greece
References
Books
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.283 – credits
Other sources
- BFI Southbank Guide October/November 2018 p.42 – illustrated listing
