THE SHUTTERED ROOM
UK, 1967, 99 minutes, Colour.
Gig Young, Carol Lynley, Oliver Reed, Flora Robson.
Directed by David Greene.
The Shuttered Room has a strong reputation as a satisfying atmospheric horror thriller. The film has eerie locations, a dilapidated house, a sense of menace. Carol Lynley is stalked, Oliver Reed is the stalker. There is a strong jazz score, Gothic atmosphere which also combine to substantial effect.
The film was directed by David Greene who directed a lot of British television, made some films in England including Sebastian and The Strange Affair before moving to Hollywood with Godspell and having a prolific career making telemovies.
1. The tone of the title, the mood of the prologue, the saccess of the film an a horror-scary film? How conventionol was it? Did it use the conventions well?
2. Comment on the use of British scenery - an American landscape. Did the British atmosphero give this American story some strength or did it detract from it?
3. How convincing were the charactors? were they well prepared for the ordeal or were ther merely there to go through the horror pieces? Susanna and audience identification with horror? The importance of her conquering her fear? Her rightful ownership? Her relationship with her husband? The fact that she was terrifled throughout, mood of the film? audiences sharing her terror? How? Was her husband a well-developed, character, or was his role merely to support her in the film?
4. How ominous was the island itself? the landscapes, the houses, people, hositility, the tower itself? The initial meeting with Ethan, his gang?The track chase, the wire, the evil and hositility?
5. The tower itself? The suggestions of presence and a fear? Aunt Agatha and her relationship with the tower? Was Aunt Agatha’s character explored or was she merely a figure of terror and of puzzle?
6. The girl who firghtened Susanna and her role in the film? The reality of the wind, the mill, house, tower? Should Aunt Agatha have kept the home alive?
7. The eerieness in the house, how well filmed was this? How do films like this create an atmosphere of fright? Why are audiences firghtened?
8. How well portrayed was the character of Ethan? Oliver Reed's style? As the equivalent of a bikie leading a gang? His callousness? His brutality towards Mike? His harrassing Susanna? The inevitability of his death?
9. The harassing of Sawanna on the pier? How important?
10. The Importance of night in the film? The use of night and darkness for horror effects?
11. The fire? was it too contrived? The role of Ethan, Susanna, in the shattered room, the role of Agatha? The importance of Aunt Agatha locking herself in the room with the sister? did she choose to die with her?
12. How satisfactory was the resolution of the whole film? successful minor horror film?
