In the Eighteenth Century, after the death of the Marquis de Sade, the phrenologist Pierre (Maurice Good) robs his head from the grave and removes the flesh at home, but dies in a horrible way. In 1965, in London, the dishonest antiques dealer Anthony Marco (Patrick Wymark) offers to the collector and writer of occultism Christopher Maitland (Peter Cushing) a book with skin made cover about the Marquis de Sade. On the next day, he returns and asks a small fortune for the skull of the Marquis de Sade but without any proof that belonged to him. Maitland does not accept and he offers for half the price until the next day. Maitland meets his friend and also collector Sir Matthew Phillips (Christopher Lee), who tells that the skull had been stolen from him but he does not want it back since he was free of its evil force. He advises Maitland to stay away from the skull otherwise he would be possessed by its evil spirit. But the fate puts the skull on Maitland´s hands affecting his entire life in tragic way."The Skull" is a creepy British horror film by Amicus to compete with Hammer with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. The screenplay is well-written and the tragic conclusion is announced from the moment Maitland meets his fellow collector and friend and keeps the interest on the skull. The "Kafkanian" judgment of Christopher Maitland is another plus in the story. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "A Maldição da Caveira" ("The Curse of the Skull")

I always liked 'The Skull' and watched it many times during the '70's and '80's when it was shown on TV quite regularly. Unfortunately it's probably been around 20 years since I last saw it, until earlier this evening when it was shown on the Horror channel. It is still as brilliant as I remembered.The base story is taken from real life - the skull of the infamous Marquis was indeed exhumed for scientific examination (phrenology - the belief that a persons character can be determined by the shape of their skull, which was popular many years ago) and subsequently lost, its whereabouts remaining unknown to this day.The late, great Peter Cushing plays a researcher into the paranormal who becomes compelled to own the skull when it is offered to him (after convincing himself of its provenance) even though he knows it could destroy him. The Marquis may be dead, but evil lingers on in his skull.I like the film - its overall style, direction, cinematography, everything. It is quirky, unusual, original (I wonder if the 'skull view' was the inspiration for the opening scene in John Carpenter's 'Halloween'?).Some have criticised the films slow pacing, but I think it is appropriate for a psychological horror. It would also have been made to be viewed properly in a cinema, unlike so much formulaic straight to video stuff that is churned out today.'The Skull' has stood the test of time for 50 years and I think it will probably do so for another 50 years.

While I am a big fan of British horror films from Amicus and Hammer, this one is certainly not among their better films--mostly because the plot is pretty silly and you must work hard to suspend disbelief to enjoy it and not laugh at some of the plot. But, if you can, you will no doubt find that the film does have a nice spooky atmosphere and could be a bit of fun. Just don't expect a lot from this one.Professor Maitland (Peter Cushing) is a collector of strange relics. Eventually, some weirdo offers to sell him the skull of the Marquis de Sade--which had been stolen from Christopher Lee. However, when Lee finds out, he isn't angry--telling Cushing he's happy the accursed skull is gone! Lee goes on to tell him that the skull has evil powers and can make you do its bidding. Further, it can even move about by using the powers of Satan! And, soon, all this comes to be. Cushing does indeed have a cursed skull and it makes him have awful dreams and do its evil bidding. Considering he'd been warned and ignored his colleague's entreaties, I say it serves the fool right! Seeing the skull and other things floating about is a bit comical, though I only noticed wires doing this on a rare occasion or two (especially when the book floated about)--so the special effects, for the time, were pretty good. And, the film had excellent creepiness and music. Overall, not great but considering it had Lee AND Cushing, then it can't be all bad.Oddly, it says on IMDb that the family of the Marguis (who died around the turn of the 18th century) threatened legal action concerning the use of the guy's name in print ads. What the heck?! It's not like they were trying to defend the name of de Sade, where they?! His name is where they derived the term "sadism" due to his very sick behaviors (rape, torture and the like--he really was a horrible and evil troll of a man despite what any movie might say--research him and you'll find out what I mean). And they had the nerve to sue?!?! What's next? Will Hitler's family sue because WWII documentaries cast HIM in a bad light?!?!

If there was ever a writer more well-known for work which was unusual for him or not exemplary of his output, it was Robert Bloch. To John Q. Citizen, he was the guy who wrote 'Psycho' and some story called 'Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper' which he has never read. So one could assume that Bloch was a dead-serious man who hated his mother and wrote dead- serious stories about women haters who butchered their victims in a realistic fashion.Well, No. The mother part could be true, but the majority of his output consisted of SUPERNATURAL short stories that never took themselves seriously and were filled with bad puns and metaphors, he even wrote a series of humorous fantasy stories featuring a swindler named Lefty Feep. I found the book 'Psycho' to be rambling and tiresome; it would be forgotten if not for the film. Bloch's best work, IMHO, was his short stories and novellas, and they could be just as grim as 'Psycho', and though mostly humorous, could be filled with just as much psychological anguish and mood. 'The Skull' adapted by Amicus studios, proves this, and it makes for one hell of a horror flick.The film begins with a memorable sequence featuring the theft of a skull from a cemetery at the dead of night. Then it becomes unbearably boring, and it only lasts for 3 minutes! Three of the longest minutes I've ever seen. It's like an endurance test. Sit through this unbearable prologue, and you're in for an excellent film.The film then picks up in the(then)present where at a very symbolic auction, we meet the film's central characters; Christopher Maitland(Peter Cushing), Matthew Phillips(Christopher Lee) and the unscrupulous antique fence Marco(Patrick Wymark). Maitland is a rather callous man who researches the occult and fanatically collects corresponding memorabilia. And Marco keeps tempting him like a drug dealer tempting an addict. After talking Maitland into buying a book (bound in human flesh)about the Marquis De Sade, Maitland's interest is piqued. Marco then offers Maitland the skull of...could you have guessed? The Skull of the Marquis De Sade!!!And since we've already seen several Point-of-view shots from the skull, that can't be good....Maitland refuses to accept the Skull because of the exorbitant price. Then things get tricky. It turns out that Marco stole the Skull from Phillips, and Phillips couldn't be happier!! The Skull is possessed(What? You thought this film wasn't just going to be about a boy and his skull), and acts up worst during the full moons. Now, Maitland's interest has REALLY piqued, he HAS to have the skull! Now's where things get interesting....The plot becomes sketchy, but I won't spoil it. Through a chain of circumstances, Maitland gets the Skull, and quickly starts to wish he never had it. At this point, the film becomes a barking mad nightmare featuring some of the creepiest sequences I have ever seen. The final half-hour is a horror fan's dream come true. Cushing is excellent, and despite his character's poorly set-up relationship with his wife, when she starts becoming endangered by a periodically possessed Maitland, you can really feel his anguish. I have a feeling Cushing didn't watch this one much after his wife died.An eerie masterpiece that is ideal Halloween viewing, the film's climax makes up for all the tedium, and it truly becomes frightening. If you are patient, sit back, preferably with all the lights out, and let the Skull work it's power over YOU. It won't do to you what it does to Maitland, but I can guarantee every horror fan that it's an experience he'll never forget; he may forget the plot and it's details, but he will NEVER forget the mood.~