RASPUTIN, THE MAD MONK

RASPUTIN, THE MAD MONK (1966). Director: Don Sharp.

"This is only a house -- and she has all of Russia!"

Rasputin (Christopher Lee) -- whom everyone calls RasPOOtin -- may be a monk but he refuses to live like one, being given to love of drink and women -- and power. With his almost mesmeric command over women, he gets a a smitten Sonia (Barbara Shelley), lady-in-waiting to the Tsarina (Renee Asherson), to arrange for him to curry the latter's favor by ministering to her injured little boy. The Tsarina rewards him with a house, and entry into her charmed royal circle. But some of Rasputin's actions alarm Boris (Richard Pasco) even after Rasputin has arranged for him to take over as the royal family's doctor. Others are jealous of Rasputin's influence, and Sonia's brother (Dinsdale Landen) is furious at the monk's treatment of his sister. This all culminates in a lively final battle where Rasputin proves quite difficult to kill. While it's debatable how historically accurate this is, it's entertaining and fast-paced, with Lee giving a vivid performance, albeit one with a few hammy moments. The other cast members are good; few of them attempt a Russian accent. This has a few lurid Hammer studio touches: a hand lopped off; acid thrown in a man's face, but is not really a horror film.

Verdict: Rasputin through the Hammer lens. ***.

THE GORGON

THE GORGON (1964). Director: Terence Fisher.

In 1910 a European village is beset by one of the mythological gorgons who has inexplicably taken up residence in the ruins of a local castle, possessed the body of a local woman, and emerges periodically to turn men and women into stone. This Hammer production has atmosphere to spare, as well as handsome art direction and adroit color schemes, all of which serve to enhance the ominous proceedings. Whatever its illogic, the film is also bolstered by good performances, and a cast that includes Peter Cushing as a village doctor, Christopher Lee as a visiting professor and friend to more than one of the literally petrified victims, and Barbara Shelley as Cushing's assistant Carla Hoffman, who falls for Paul Heitz (Richard Pasco) whose father (Michael Goodliffe) and brother were turned to stone by the gorgon. The Gorgon has the strange quality of a fantastic tragic operetta, with its doomed love story and an effective enough score by James Bernard. The monster may be a little disappointing, but the premise is certainly unique.

Verdict: Worthwhile horror fantasy. ***.