This slow and talk-filled movie will be offputting to most genre fans who are expecting the pace of a Hammer movie or the grisliness of a Pete Walker film. It has neither, and instead seems to be more of a drawing-room drama, packed with dialogue and the minimum of action and actual horror content. This is a shame, as the murders (when they do occur) are executed well, and shown from the killer's point of view - kind of like the murders in LEGEND OF THE WEREWOLF. Although the film is not explicitly gruesome, the murders do get pretty bloody and two scenes involving a hanging eyeball have been inserted in to make things more grisly.
The story is a rather simple one, yet director Kelley manages to wring maximum atmosphere from the location of his story - an isolated farmhouse is just right for a horror flick of this variety. Although obviously filmed on a limited budget, the realistic sets are good too, full of ominous shadows, which is a good thing because the entire film only takes place in a handful of locations. A suspenseful music score also helps to add to the atmosphere of the film.
The main problem with the movie is the lack of horror content and the slow pacing, which makes it laborious even for patient viewers. While this isn't too much of a problem, it comes as a surprise due to the exploitation title which makes this sound like some exciting monster rampage movie when in fact it's not. The opening murders and a scene showing a loving couple being butchered in a barn fit in oddly with the scenes involving Robson and Reid.
Perhaps these scenes go on for too long (one has Reid telling the whole story, which lasts about twenty minutes of her talking), but they're certainly interesting, if not exciting, to watch. The dialogue the two actresses are given helps to make their characters realistic and, if not exactly likable, then certainly understandable. Both are given clear personalities - Reid is the worrying, gentle one, while Robson is the colder, cunning one - and their interchange can sometimes be gripping in a subtle way. You really get to know these two by the end of the film, and it feels like you've invaded their lives. The supporting roles are obviously minor yet packed out with appealing actors and actresses. THE BEAST IN THE CELLAR is not a film for all tastes, mine somewhat included, but it's a well-handled curiosity.
The story is a rather simple one, yet director Kelley manages to wring maximum atmosphere from the location of his story - an isolated farmhouse is just right for a horror flick of this variety. Although obviously filmed on a limited budget, the realistic sets are good too, full of ominous shadows, which is a good thing because the entire film only takes place in a handful of locations. A suspenseful music score also helps to add to the atmosphere of the film.
The main problem with the movie is the lack of horror content and the slow pacing, which makes it laborious even for patient viewers. While this isn't too much of a problem, it comes as a surprise due to the exploitation title which makes this sound like some exciting monster rampage movie when in fact it's not. The opening murders and a scene showing a loving couple being butchered in a barn fit in oddly with the scenes involving Robson and Reid.
Perhaps these scenes go on for too long (one has Reid telling the whole story, which lasts about twenty minutes of her talking), but they're certainly interesting, if not exciting, to watch. The dialogue the two actresses are given helps to make their characters realistic and, if not exactly likable, then certainly understandable. Both are given clear personalities - Reid is the worrying, gentle one, while Robson is the colder, cunning one - and their interchange can sometimes be gripping in a subtle way. You really get to know these two by the end of the film, and it feels like you've invaded their lives. The supporting roles are obviously minor yet packed out with appealing actors and actresses. THE BEAST IN THE CELLAR is not a film for all tastes, mine somewhat included, but it's a well-handled curiosity.