House of the Long Shadows

House of the Long Shadows

31/3/1984 1h 40m 6.4/10

Overview

An American writer goes to a remote Welsh manor on a $20,000 bet that he can write a classic novel like 'Wuthering Heights' in 24 hours. However, upon his arrival he discovers that the apparently empty manor has several rather odd inhabitants.

Director

Pete Walker

Top Billed Cast

John Carradine

John Carradine

Elijah Grisbane

Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee

Corrigan

Vincent Price

Vincent Price

Lionel Grisbane

Peter Cushing

Peter Cushing

Sebastian Grisbane

Sheila Keith

Sheila Keith

Victoria Grisbane

Desi Arnaz Jr.

Desi Arnaz Jr.

Kenneth Magee

Reviews

Wuchak

11/17/2023

6/10

**_A creepy Welsh manor with Price, Lee and Cushing_** A popular American author (Desi Arnaz Jr.) opts to write his next novel at a spooky mansion in Wales that’s supposed to be vacant… but it’s not. The selling point of the curiously obscure "House of the Long Shadows" (1983) is the teaming of horror legends Vincent Price, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, not to mention John Carradine. You can’t go wrong if you’re in the mood for a mystery/horror that takes place in a huge Gothic manor or castle and the eerie happenings thereof. It’s like a live-action version of Scooby-Doo without the dog, teens or Mystery Machine. Desi Arnaz Jr. (the son of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, naturally) makes for a great protagonist and it’s a shame he didn’t go on to greater success as a starring actor. Meanwhile blonde Julie Peasgood is effective enough as his potential gal, Mary, while brunette Louise English is worth a mention as Diana. I’m not going to give anything away, but the well-done ending was borrowed for future, better movies. While it’s seemingly innovative, Shakespeare used the plot device 380 years earlier. Another interesting element of the film was borrowed by a slasher flick three years later. Speaking of borrowing, “Clue” was obviously inspired by it, not to mention much more successful, but don’t look for any goofiness here. The movie runs 1 hour, 42 minutes, and was shot Rotherfield Park, East Tisted, Alton, Hampshire, which is about 55 miles southwest of London. GRADE: B-

Similar Movies

Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo

6.0

Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo

1999

We Love You, Sally Carmichael!

5.9

We Love You, Sally Carmichael!

2017

The Seven Year Itch

7.1

The Seven Year Itch

1955

Night of the Living Dead

7.6

Night of the Living Dead

1968

Looking for Mr. Right

5.6

Looking for Mr. Right

2014

The Squid and the Whale

6.9

The Squid and the Whale

2005

The World According to Garp

6.7

The World According to Garp

1982

My Girlfriend's Boyfriend

5.7

My Girlfriend's Boyfriend

2010

Father's Haunted House

6.6

Father's Haunted House

2024

Kill Your Darlings

5.8

Kill Your Darlings

2006