La Chute de la maison Usher (The Fall of the House of Usher) (1928)

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Average Rating: 8.1/10
Reviews Counted: 9
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Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Movie Info

The French silent film La Chute de la Maison Usher is adapted from Edgar Allan Poe's Fall of the House of Usher. Director Jean Epstein studiously avoids cheap shocks in this tale of hereditary madness, choosing instead a tightly controlled, spookily subtle technique. The hero, having indirectly caused the death of his beloved, stubbornly tries to resurrect her spirit by devoting himself to painting and sculpture. Epstein conveys the twilight zone between life and death with lingering dissolves

Unrated, 48 min.

Drama, Horror, Art House & International, Classics

Directed By: Jean Epstein

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1928 Wide

On DVD: Apr 3, 2001

Cast

Critic Reviews for La Chute de la maison Usher (The Fall of the House of Usher)

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (0) | DVD (5)

The Fall of the House of Usher resides within its sealed world, as if -- yes, as if buried alive.

May 7, 2002 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

A strange mix of Gothic design, modern austerity, expressionist angles, graceful camerawork and surreal effects, it's an atmospheric classic...

July 27, 2009 Full Review Source: Parallax View

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Sean Axmaker

Parallax View

The film denies us the safe distance between viewer and viewed, and it does this so effectively that its horrors are occurring all around us.

May 25, 2008 Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies

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Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies Source: Goatdog's Movies

The mixture of English Gothic, French Grand Guignol and American low-budget thrills make for an intoxicating brew.

September 25, 2007 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

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Empire Magazine

Through kaleidoscopic composition, Epstein affects Rorschach-like chiaroscuro, every image a dense, sludgy viscera, a looking glass held up to the audience and characters, daring us to pass through.

September 13, 2006 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

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