The Legacy

I like this potboiler. There's a soft spot in me for this story, even though it features the occasional lapse in narrative logic, and the special effects--while serviceable--don't guarantee it will leave much of a cinematic impression in many people's memory, years down the line. The Legacy is passed down by a moribund multi-millionaire, Jason Mountolive, to a group of inheritors (most of them European) who have travelled from afar to reunite for Jason's last 'will and testament.' Maggie Walsh and boyfriend Pete work together in Los Angeles as interior decorators (what's the likelihood of that?). They are hired sight unseen by a British client and, soon, 'accidentally' meet Jason, and are invited to stay at his home. At Ravenshurst mansion, the inheritors drop like flies, and Jason begins to get a little warmed over--he appears to be melting, cataracts appear, and he's definitely in dire need of a manicure. Clearly, this horror film was inspired by The Omen and, likewise, features a few Rottweilers that help take care of impending 'business' matters... Time to feed the dogs!!!

Interior decorator Katharine Ross and boyfriend Sam Elliot are offered a plum assignment in England. When they are run off the road by an enigmatic millionaire, he invites them to stay at his family castle while their motorcycle is repaired...and then the fun begins. The film can be taken as either a straight horror film or an Agatha Christie-style supernatural mystery. There is not much in the way of genuine surprises, but it is interesting figuring out which of the guests at the English estate will be the next to go and how. Ross and Elliot play their roles believably as a suitably bewildered American couple, who cannot understand how they got stuck in this predicament and how the heck to get out of it. The cast is made up of solid, familiar British actors and the cinematography lends a polish that helps this film rise above the usual dreck in this genre. While not edge-of-your-seat, the film moves along briskly and there is just enough gruesomeness to add to the atmosphere. Aside from the leads, Margaret Tyzack is particularly effective as a sinister nurse. Richard Marquand's direction is above-average and he deftly showcases the English countryside, the stately manor and Sam Elliot's birthday suit (THANK YOU, RICHARD!) with equal aplomb.

An excellent little movie, though it might be wasted on anyone likely to get disappointed by 1970s special effects or confused by the intrusion of a plot. It's a well-made supernatural re-working of Agatha Christie's "And then there were None" (Originally "Ten Little Nigger Boys") and starts when the descendents of a 17th century witch gather at an English country house in the hope of receiving part of the family legacy. Instead, they get a dose of poetic justice delivered from beyond the grave. Don't expect to be scared out of your skin, just entertained for a while.

Enjoyed this film though I've seen this story before. Most of the acting was good, especially Elliott, Ross and Daltrey in a small role. Charles Gray though plays the same role in every part he plays and Hildegard Neil is criminally underused. In all a decent effort.

I'll start by saying, I'm a big fan of this film, and have enjoyed watching it many times over the years. As a teen I can remember this regularly being on The BBC late on a Friday night.

By today's standards of course it's tame as a horror, but look beyond that and it's actually a really clever, very well acted movie.

The story itself is very dark, any film that involved the Devil would be.

I love the village scenes, when Maggie and Pete try to escape in the car but are trapped and always end up back at the house, it's so clever.

It feels very Agatha Christie from the odd, and there are definitely elements of And then there were none, one by one the gathered guests start to die. Unfortunately the film doesn't have the claustrophobia that Agatha Christie had in abundance in her book.

It's looks stunning, that's the films biggest strength, the house looks incredible, Roger Daltrey's own place.

It isn't particularly scary, but it has its moments, I can remember having a few bad dreams about the mirror scene (I was only about 9 or 10.)

I particularly liked Katherine Ross, there was a soft sincerity about her, I also really liked Margaret Tyzack's cat nurse.

It's a very decent film, it creaks in parts, but on the whole it ticks a lot of boxes, I just love the nostalgia.

8/10.