The Fall of the House of Usher (1928)

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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 and brilliant utilization of slow motion. The production design of La Chute de la Maison Usher, together with the earlier Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, obviously inspired the "look" of Robert Florey's 1932 Poe derivation Murders in the Rue Morgue. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Starring:: Marguerite Gance, Jean Debucourt, (more)

Director(s):: Jean Epstein

Format(s):: DVD
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Synopsis of The Fall of the House of Usher

Theatrical Feature Running Time:: 66 mins

Complete Cast of The Fall of the House of Usher

Marguerite Gance
Charles Lamy - The Guest

Jean Debucourt

Director(s):: Jean Epstein

Writer(s):: Jean Epstein

Categories:: Horror

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	Carol C.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

This is a haunting tale of madness & love. This is an incredibly well-made movie especially for its time. It is a story about a mad-man named Usher who inadvertently kills his wife. The music is haunting as well and a perfect complement to the unforgetable cinematography which is amazing for its time. It is a silent film with English subtitles BUT there is an English narrator who adds to the mystery. I wish it were available for purchase so I could add it to by collection.

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	Chris T.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful

TAKE NOTE: the video in this DVD version by Allday Entertainment leaves alot to be desired, especially for a film that was selected for the National Film Registry in 2000 (a year before Allday's version was released). High amts of black pixilation, dirt, scratches, and staining are present in many parts of the film, esp the last 10 or so minutes, which can be very distracting. Hopefully Criterion or Image Entertainment will issue a clean version of what is a very good - and importatnt - film.