THEATRE OF BLOOD

UK, 1973, 103 minutes, Colour.
Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Harry Andrews, Carol Browne, Robert Coote, Jack Hawkins, Michael Hordern, Arthur Lowe, Robert Morley, Dennis Price, Milo O'Shea, Eric Sykes, Diana Dors, Joan Hickson, Renee Asherson.
Directed by Douglas Hickox.

Theatre of Blood is a classic of horror - not just because it is very well-made, designed and acted and extremely enjoyable horror, but because its theme is acting, Shakespeare and Shakespearean revenge. That is, the offended actor, Edward Lionheart, murders eight insulting critics in very clever parodies of death scenes in Shakespeare's plays. Full of in-jokes, witty and outrageous puns and lines, it should entertain horror fans and delight those familiar with the Bard. Vincent Price shows the benefit of all his horror films in the central role and is aided by stage and Shakespearean
actress, Dianna Rigg. Prominent English comedians are great victims or police. A horror treat.

1. Was this a successful horror film? Why?

2. How did the Shakespearean settings, parodies and flavour add to the film?

3. Was Edward Lionheart a credible character? was his story and his being saved from death credible? What was wrong with him - in his acting, in his denouncing the critics, in his would-be suicide, in his "punishing" the critics in a macabre way? He likened himself to King Lear. Does the parallel throw any light on his behaviour?

4. He was helped by his daughter - does the Cordelia role of her death and devotion give insight into her behaviour? (She is more like Goneril or Regan in aiding the murders.)

5. How humorously macabre were the murders? In good taste? Too gory or horrible for film entertainment?

6. Did the styles of murder and their insight into the defects of the critics as persons have lessons? - were the punishments merited, not merely because of criticism of Lionheart, but because of personal 'sins' - evicting the meths arrogantly, hypocritical praising and condemning, jealousy, drunkenness, womanising, vanity and greediness?

7. Why was the President of the Critics spared?

8. Was the ending partly tragic or totally melodramatic?

9. What is the value of a film like this?