Murders in the Rue Morgue

Murders in the Rue Morgue is a bold and cerebral horror film from 1971, starring celebrated actors Jason Robards, Herbert Lom, and Christine Kaufmann. A reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe's famous short story, the film is set in an evocative Paris of the past. Directed by the respected filmmaker Gordon Hessler, this film threads a dark narrative in the horror genre, incorporating elements of mystery and suspense in a grand old world atmospheric setting.

The movie unfolds in early 20th-century Paris, delving into the world of a traveling theatrical troupe led by Cesar Charron, portrayed by Jason Robards. Tipped as high-value entertainment at its finest, their performances revolve around the staging of horrifying dramatizations of Edgar Allan Poe's stories, with the piece-de-resistance being "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." This theatrical piece is pivotal to the film as it mirrors the underlying plot.

Herbert Lom delivers an enigmatic performance as the tormented Rene Marot, a one-time star of Charron's theatrical company. Marot is a man troubled by his past and obsessed with the scene in the Poe play where he gets to murder his ex-lover and Charron's wife, Madeleine (Christine Kaufmann in a captivating role). The estranged relationship between Marot and Madeleine, and the tension it causes among the theatre troupe, forms the captivating emotional subtext of the film.

The plot of Murders in the Rue Morgue takes a chilling turn when members of Cesar Charron's troupe, who perform the staged murders, start getting killed off in a manner eerily resembling the deaths in the Poe play. The theatrical and real-world deaths begin to blur when the gruesome nature of killings starts echoing the horror-drama's scenes. This adds an intriguing layer of mystery to the film, making it a horror whodunit that keeps viewers guessing, leading them into the throbbing heart of Poe's terror tales.

The film is punctuated by elegantly staged scenes of Gothic theatricality that are a hallmark of director Gordon Hessler's work. His oeuvre is characterized by an atmospheric use of historical settings and a keen eye for dramatic tension. In the film, Hessler blends grandiose theatrical elements with suspenseful narrative arcs, creating an atmosphere of perpetual dread. The grand sets, intricate period costumes, and precise attention to detail submerge viewers into a hauntingly beautiful vision of horror in yesteryears Paris.

With Robards' intense portrayal of a driven impresario fearing the loss of control, Lom's tormented angst as a jilted lover, and Kaufmann’s heartrending vulnerability, Murders in the Rue Morgue succeeds in creating an air of suspense, as well as nuanced character studies. The natural camaraderie and inherent tension among the members of the theatrical troupe add another layer of drama, as the viewers come to deeply empathize with the victims of the murderous spree.

On the technical front, the film is expertly woven together by its editor, Ernest Walter, with striking cinematographic effects by cinematographer John Coquillon. The background score by Waldo de los Rios complements the film's eerie tone, effectively enhancing the chilling effect and keeping the audience at the edge of their seats.

Murders in the Rue Morgue thrives on its atmosphere of anticipation and the macabre. It is a distinctly psychological horror flick steeped in Gothic grandeur. Aesthetically beautiful and structurally sound, Gordon Hessler's movie succeeds in undertaking the mammoth task of translating Poe's unnerving narrative to the silver screen while maintaining the spine-chilling essence of the original story. The film is a tribute to Poe's flair for manufacturing fright and Robards, Lom, and Kaufmann's sheer acting prowess.

While Murders in the Rue Morgue from 1971 is undoubtedly a niche film, it continues to oscillate between being a cult classic and an overlooked gem. It is a must-watch for fans of Poe's work and those interested in historical horror whodunits. However, the audience should be prepared to tackle horror of a different kind – the psychological horror embedded in obsession and fascination with death. Its unique blend of horror and mystery elements, combined with stellar performances, make this movie a compelling piece of cinematic storytelling.