The Keep (1983)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Michael Mann

Writers:

F. Paul Wilson (novel)
Michael Mann (screenplay)

Release Date:

16 December 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

THEY WERE ALL DRAWN TO THE KEEP. The soldiers who brought death. The father and daughter fighting for life. The people who have always feared it. And the one man who knows its secret... THE KEEP Tonight, they will all face the evil.

Plot:

Nazis guard a citadel that harbors a dangerous force that starts wreaking havoc and death upon them, forcing an uneasy alliance with a Jewish professional who can stop it.

Plot Keywords:

Nazi | SS | Death | Fortress | Cult Favorite

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Scott Glenn	...	Glaeken Trismegestus
Alberta Watson	...	Eva Cuza
Jürgen Prochnow	...	Captain Klaus Woermann
Robert Prosky	...	Father Mihail Fonescu
Gabriel Byrne	...	Major Kaempffer
Ian McKellen	...	Dr. Theodore Cuza
William Morgan Sheppard	...	Alexandru (as Morgan Sheppard)
Royston Tickner	...	Tomescu
Phillip Joseph	...	Sergeant Oster
Michael Carter	...	Molasar
John Vine	...	Lutz
Jona Jones	...	Otto
Wolf Kahler	...	S.S. Adjutant
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Josefia
Frederick Warder	...	Border Guard #1

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | Germany:16 | Australia:M | France:-12 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, Wales, UK

Company:

Associated Capital

Trivia:

Timothy Block worked eight weeks.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Camera assistant visible directing a camera pan when the German soldiers are firing into the air when the evil force is released.

Quotes:

Major Kaempffer: What are you? Where do you come from?
Molasar: Where am I from? I am... from You.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Directors: The Films of Michael Mann (#2.1)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Walking In The Air

A must see for Mann lovers, avoid if you like continuity

This movie's a mixed bag of horror goodies. On the one hand you have a great premise, a phenomenal ensemble cast with two strong leads (in the form of Byrne and Prochnow) of two distinct and contrasting personalities. The script also does not shirk from displaying the worst of humanity, personified by the SS.

None of which saves this film from a below-standard review. The crux of the problem is not the fact that it hasn't aged well - though the 2005 viewer will have to work hard to see past the rope effects, discordant music (supplied by Tangerine Dream - nice) and distinctly non-erotic sex scene - but rather the fact that the whole film feels unfinished. We do not find out where the monster comes from, nor where his nemesis fits into the picture, while the female lead's character is simply baffling in her stoicism. Several poorly edited shots also jar the viewer out of the experience, making the entire affair seem amateurish and sloppy.

The acting is patchy, with the cast straight-jacketed by an awkward script which offers some of the stronger players a few chances to shine (except Glenn, who is made to struggle along in an appalling whisper) but despite the opportunities the situation affords, this never rises above the mediocre.

All in all, this film is hard work, but worthwhile if you look at what was achieved with an obviously limited budget. Just don't expect a horror film in keeping with Mann's later abilities.