The Keep (1983)
Average Rating: 4.1/10
Reviews Counted: 11
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 8
No consensus yet.
Release Date: Dec 16, 1983 Wide
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Average Rating: 3/5
User Ratings: 3,248
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Movie Info
The Keep is an ambitious visual feast from director Michael Mann, whose previous effort was the moody, stylish Thief, and who would soon produce the quintessential pastel-colored '80s TV series Miami Vice. Adapted from the novel by F. Paul Wilson and set in German-occupied Romania of 1943, the film introduces the invaders to the dark presence lurking within the walls of an ancient fortress in the Carpathian Alps -- a presence which doesn't take well to unwanted guests. When soldiers under the
Dec 16, 1983 Wide
Paramount
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Cast
-
Scott Glenn
Glaeken Trismegestus -
Alberta Watson
Eva -
Jürgen Prochnow
Woermann -
Robert Prosky
Father Fonescu -
Gabriel Byrne
Kempffer -
Ian McKellen
Dr. Cuza -
William Morgan Sheppard
Alexandru -
Royston Tickner
Tomescu -
David Cardy
Alexandru's Son -
Michael Carter
Molasar -
Rosalie Crutchley
Josefa -
Jona Jones
Otto -
Phillip Joseph
Oster -
Wolf Kahler
S.S. Adjutant -
Renny Krupinski
Wehrmacht Soldier -
Bruce Payne
Border Guard -
John Vine
Lutz -
Frederick Warder
Border Guard -
Stephen Whittaker
S.S. Commando -
Phillip Bloomfield
Josefa's Son -
John Eastham
Alexandru's Second Son -
Stephen Jenn
S.S. Commando -
Peter Guinness
Wehrmacht Soldier
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The Keep Trailer & Photos
All Critics (14) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (8)
The Keep is a worthy successor to a mode of horror, as morally unsettling as it is spiritually devastating, that threads through films like Murnau's Nosferatu and Lewton and Robson's Isle of the Dead.
Mann must share the blame for the movie's failures. But nor should its beauties be denied.
After a brilliant opening act, the plot gets flabbier and flabbier until around the half-way point, when it stops making any sense whatsoever.
Depois do brilhante Profissão: Ladrão, Mann cria um desastre que impressiona por ser pavoroso em todos os seus aspectos: direção, roteiro, atuações, trilha sonora, efeitos visuais e fotografia.
Only a pleasure if ye can handle the guilt.
Directed by Michael Mann. Starring Ian McKellan, Gabriel Byrne and Scott Glenn. Sounds good, right?
Audience Reviews for The Keep
Super Reviewer
On the visual side the film is really quite cool looking, it almost looks like an early MTV rock video hehe the effects (for the time) were pretty swish and do hold the tone of the film together. There is allot of visual flair going on here which is one of the films saving graces.
Another plus point is the soundtrack by Tangerine Dream, as you would expect their usual blend of futuristic, electronic, enthral and spiritual sounds is quite unique and very uplifting to listen to. The only problem is this lovely soundtrack doesn't really fit this film, allot of tense moments don't really come across as I suspect they should have whilst the music floats in the background, you would expect to hear a score like this for a film like 'Blade Runner'.
The film is also confusing and unexplained, the original novel is straight forward but the film is a mess. The evil entity that is released seems to be angry at the Nazi's for killing 'his people' so I'm guessing it was a Jewish entity? and if it wants to kill Nazi's why not let it?. We also don't find out where the entity comes from, what it is?, what's its purpose?, who is 'Glenn'?, what is 'Glenn's' story? etc...
This isn't really a horror in my eyes, there isn't much blood or gore and its not scary in the slightest, it comes across as a slightly adult version of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' really. The entity or demon is a bit comical to be honest, should of been kept unseen really, shame as the sets, lighting and camera work all play well to set the mood.
I think first time viewers who have not read the novel will struggle with many questions but the blend of gothic horror set amidst WWII will keep most entertained and interested as it is well crafted. The cast of big names in early roles also works in the films favour, check McKellen in a pre 'Professor X' type role and Gabriel Byrne as the sadistic German SD Officer Sturmbannführer.
Super Reviewer
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