The Oblong Box (1969)

"AIP from the BFI"

The BFI gives us a dose of gothic nostalgia as it releases American International Pictures' THE OBLONG BOX on Blu-ray.

It's 1860 and Sir Julian Markham (Vincent Price) is keeping his horribly scarred brother Edward (Alister Williamson) locked up in the attic. But Edward has bribed some crooked associates to drug him so he will appear dead and then dig him up after his 'funeral'.

Unfortunately body snatchers get to the coffin first and deliver it to Dr Neuhartt (Christopher Lee). Revived, the even more mad than he was before Edward embarks on a vendetta against those who messed up his escape, although when he finds out why he acquired his terrible injuries he comes after his brother as well.

By 1969 AIP's Poe cycle, which had started with FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER in 1960, had changed radically. Original producer-director Roger Corman had left, as had many of the personnel that had made those films so special. Michael Reeves was due to direct THE OBLONG BOX but was replaced by producer Gordon Hessler. For detailed reasons why listen to Steve Haberman's commentary, which goes into great detail about Reeves' contribution to the picture. 

It's by no means a great film, and one has to wonder why Christopher Lee didn't get cast as Edward so the two great stars could face off against one another. That said the combination of Hessler and screenwriter Christopher Wicking always yielded interesting results and their desire to produce something different from the horror cinema of even five years' previously is certainly in evidence here. 

As well as the commentary, extras include the short films THE PIT (1962), previously available on the BFI's disc of SCHALCKEN THE PAINTER, and two silent pieces: PRELUDE (1927) inspired by the Premature Burial, and THE BELLS (1913) based on a Poe poem. There's also a new 17 minute interview with Price's daughter Victoria and ten minutes of Roger Corman on Poe. The disc also comes with a booklet featuring writing on the film from Peter Fuller (about the film) Benjamin Halligan (about Michael Reeves' involvement) and James Bell (about THE PIT).

THE OBLONG BOX is out on Blu-ray from the BFI on Monday 21st October 2024