If all of this movie were as good as its best parts, it would be a minor classic, but the plot is very thin -- a lot of time is marked by people wandering through corridors -- and the ending is a serious letdown, since it simply repeats that of the first Count Yorga movie.
But Quarry is excellent, a little more stately, less witty, than in the first movie; his dialog tends at times toward the pompous, and just what his ultimate goal is remains unclear. What he's doing would seem likely to call a lot of unwanted attention to himself.
The direction by Kelljan is excellent, as is the cinematography and music. Marx actually UNDERSTATES the music, very unusual for a horror movie, and Kelljan stages several scenes without any music at all. If the script had been given a bit more work, perhaps if AIP had allowed the filmmakers some more leeway, this would be a significant film. As it is, it remains uneven -- imaginative, with excellent performances and a great deal of spooky tension. Hartley is generally outstanding.
But Quarry is excellent, a little more stately, less witty, than in the first movie; his dialog tends at times toward the pompous, and just what his ultimate goal is remains unclear. What he's doing would seem likely to call a lot of unwanted attention to himself.
The direction by Kelljan is excellent, as is the cinematography and music. Marx actually UNDERSTATES the music, very unusual for a horror movie, and Kelljan stages several scenes without any music at all. If the script had been given a bit more work, perhaps if AIP had allowed the filmmakers some more leeway, this would be a significant film. As it is, it remains uneven -- imaginative, with excellent performances and a great deal of spooky tension. Hartley is generally outstanding.