The Blancheville Monster
- Css Darth-Sheol
- Jan 21, 2015
- 3 min read
There's a minor plot point I will spoil early in this review. I don't think many people will care (considering this is an obscure, old film), but since some cinephiles are adamant about avoiding plot spoilers, I thought I should mention it.
The Blancheville Monster (sometimes known as “The Blancheville Horror”) may be the first monster movie I've seen that doesn't actually involve a monster, not in the typical horror-movie-sense of the word at least. I wanted to hate it as a result but just can't. While it appears to be a horror movie on the surface it turns out to be more of a suspense tale (a thin distinction perhaps, but a distinction nonetheless). I think having the proper expectations of what will be delivered in it will likely make it more enjoyable for new viewers.
Emily de Blancheville is returning to her family's homestead, a very large and very old estate, to visit her brother. Many things have changed since Emily left for school, and the place is creepy more than homely now. The ominous atmosphere may have something to do with the supposed monster in the tower, a “monster” that thinks Emily must be killed before her next birthday in order to lift a curse from the Blancheville family. Emily's friends try to protect her, but they can't save her from descending into an indefinable illness. Can those that love her stop the thing that threatens her life, and if so what effect will that have on the supposed family curse? What secrets do the new housekeeper and family doctor harbor?
It's a story that doesn't always go in a predictable direction. For some this is going to be a good thing; for others, when what they want to happen doesn't, it might be more disappointing. While not necessarily one that keeps the viewer on the edge of a seat it does manage to be interesting and entertaining. The plot creates a pleasant suspense, and the castle with its foggy grounds around it generates a creepy atmosphere that lends a lot to the overall effect.
The acting is fair enough: nothing to write home about but good enough to keep the story alive. What helps is that their characters try to keep the viewer guessing. Will Emily be the innocent victim or the bold heroine? Whose motives are pure and who has hidden agendas? Then, of course, there's the secret of the “monster” and its ties to the Blancheville family.
The result is uncertainty and an ominous air. We are not scared by the monster, only kept in suspense as the mysteries unfold. We aren't shocked by grisly murders though perhaps some will be disturbed by the lengths to which the villains will go.
Being an Italian movie the words don't quite match the mouths which can be a little disorienting. If you can look past that and want some good old black and white suspense this is worth a moment of your time.
MORALITY:
There is little of anything questionable in this movie as is common with old black and white movies. It has no sex, nudity, or strong language, and the violence is infrequent and mild. There aren't much in the way of scares, either. So this is probably a good movie for younger viewers that like haunting tales.
SPIRITUALITY:
The supernatural is looked to as a possible explanation to the events going on, but little credence is given to it aside from the superstition of a curse that can only be lifted by death. In concept I would be tempted to liken this to the curse of sin lifted by the death of Christ although it's an imperfect comparison in this setting.
On a more naturalistic level we are dealing with those who would harm Emily for their own gain up against those who would do anything to protect Emily.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
While I don't necessarily highly recommend The Blancheville Monster I do think it's worth some effort to see by fans of older suspense movies. It's definitely one of the better old Italian movies I've seen. As long as you don't mind the dubbing or weak audio and visual quality, and aren't looking for a real monster horror movie, you could do a lot worse than this one.
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