The Skull (1965)

   When I first chose The Skull (1965) as my subject, I thought perhaps I could offer witty insight into the removal of flesh from bone. I was once tasked with creating entertainment for a Jurassic Park themed company picnic. One contest involved a confirmation of manly strength and agility by tossing a "dinosaur bone' the furthest. Not a simple plastic bone under my watch, I needed the closest to actual dinosaur I could muster in the modern era. The friendly neighborhood butcher procured a nice large cow femur. Before every bit of information was on the world wide web, I went about this by the seat of my pants. Already a little rank, I started with a heavy boil. Not a good smell. Left outside to the elements and flies, hung by a rope into the creek for the crawdads and finally bleached by the sun. But within the first few minutes of this Amicus Production, I realized how much simpler a bottle of skin reducing acid would have been. So much less fun, however, as the entire company helped out by turning the bone on their breaks. 

   Since a young age, the intensity and unrelenting drive of the mad scientist concept was very appealing to me. Extremely dramatic in its dive into pure evil. The very eerie beginning of the movie takes place in the nighttime fog of an old and spooky graveyard. And here the trouble begins. We have no clue as to why this skull is so important. Pierre, a grave robbing phrenologist, even spurns his sultry french visitor. All is well for a time as she amuses herself with marshmallows.

   The party takes a turn for the worse as our lovely visitor, played by April Olrich, worries for Pierre when she notices misty smoke seeping from underneath the laboratory door. The enchantress lets out a blood curdling scream as she enters the room. Jump ahead to 1965. Now we are into the meat of the story. Fascinating. I love auctions and this is where we meet Dr. Christoper Maitland, played by Peter Cushing, and his colleague and friend, Sir Matthew Phillips, played by Christoper Lee.

"It's all in the game, Marco."

   Michael Gough offers four stone figures from the 17th century. Demons representing the hierarchies of hell. Lucifer, he who commands all, Beelzebub, he who tempts men with pride, Leviathan, he who tempts men with heresy, and finally Ba'al Berith, he who tempts men to be quarrelsome and commit murder. Sir Matthew has been strangely affected by these artifacts. No restraint is offered in the bidding on his part, and even he doesn't understand his compulsion to bring these into his possession. There are gasps of astonishment at the pretty price paid for those best left outside ye door. Here we also meet Anthony Marco, played by Patrick Wymark.

   Soon afterwards Marco visits the Maitland household. "Chris, Marco's here again." Mrs. Maitland, played by Jill Bennett, tries to run interference but the doctor will not have any of that. Marco supplies many unusual and rare items important to Maitland's research. The doctor's aim is to bring light to the unknown and to dispel superstition. This day Marco brings "something choice." A large volume, "The Life of the Notorious Marquis de Sade." The Marquis symbolizes the cruelty and savagery capable within all of us.

Arousal of fear. Inspiration for The Exorcist?

   The doctor is hesitant to make this purchase, but Marco points out the extra value in a book bound in human skin. Maitland is still put off but is reminded of his rather sketchy collection, including a shriveled hand of glory stolen from a grave in Mainz. Oh, to work on props in this film... that would be a dream fulfilled. One must wonder what became of the contents of Maitland's study. Marco plans to bring another item of interest the next night.

   A treat! The skull of the Marquis de Sade, stolen centuries ago. "My skull... she's lookin' real good." Check out those teeth on that 18th century boy.

    Once again Maitland hesitates on the purchase, not convinced of its authenticity. But by this point in the movie we understand that the doctor is driven to acquire knowledge at almost any cost. Intellectual greed. He will consider the offer. Fade into scene cool. Maitland and Sir Matthew at the pool table. Yes, the skull was stolen from Sir Matthew and he is happy about that. He warns against its purchase. The Marquis was not evil, he was possessed, Sir Matthews explains. The skull now carries demonic force and compels those under its power to carry out evil deeds.

A protective talisman gifted by Sir Matthew. Tannis anyone?

   At home Maitland delves into the contents of the book and is disturbed by a knock at the study door. Two rather solemn men identifying themselves as police officers take him into custody, reason unknown. He is brought before a judge of sorts and is put through a series of nightmare scenarios. All a form of mental torture.

   The spell has taken hold. Maitland must have the skull and heads over to Marco's. Unable to locate his dealer, Chris looks for the skull. Unfortunately for Marco, Chris discovers more than he bargained for. Being a smart cookie he hides the skull before contacting the authorities about the mysterious demise.

Marco? Polo.

 

  The fall of our good doctor continues as he returns the next night. Another death occurs as the caretaker questions whether the skull rightfully belongs to our ill-fated protagonist. He shows no remorse, no feeling over the tragic accident that takes place, or was it an accident?

   The once good doctor places the skull in a glass cabinet and enters his wife's separate room. Gives her a quick check before donning his silk burgundy smoking jacket. You know, the upper crust needs their pri-vacy. Only presenting themselves to their betrothed in complete darkness with suitable attire.

    It is the second night of the new moon. Minions will be bound to commit deeds of evil and malcontent. The demonic entity inhabiting the cranial chalice that once held the mind of the Marquis seems to have omniscient power.

   Works of black magic are underway in the study. The skull hovers above Doctor Maitland as the large volume joins it in mid-air. They set themselves before their subordinate. At this point in the movie I dubbed the book "The Britannica de Sade." Maitland is sent on a mission to retrieve the stone statue of Ba'al Berith. Sir Matthew is taken down mercilessly and without hesitation.

   Brutal thoughts are racing through Christopher's mind. He finds himself holding a dagger above his wife's chest but the power of love, and the sight of a crucifix, prevent him from doing so. The Marquis fights back supernaturally after the skull is run through with the dagger blade. The evil now inhabits the structure of the house and traps Doctor Maitland in his room. Now that he has proven to be able to resist evil, his final moments of life are spent in sheer terror.

     The same detectives we met earlier are nonchalantly dumbfounded that the newest victim was also drained of blood. "What connection could there be? Witchcraft?" "Hardly. Not in this day and age."

   Fantastic. We are left with a feeling of apprehension and dread. Beware, for there is an unseen power that exists only to cause terrorizing fear and ghastly bodily harm with intentions of possessing our souls. The latter being worst of all, for it is an eternal punishment. God save the queen.

A short film in honor of April Olrich and Jill Bennett