Malpertuis
Malpertuis
Malpertuis (1971) Rated 18 English/French language English subtitles. Limited edition Blu Ray Set 4K/UHD RAD137BDLE
Out now, Harry Kumel’s dreamlike horror curio ‘Malpertuis’, known as ‘The Legend of Doom House’ in the USA. Taken from the 1943 novel of the same name by Jean Ray, it’s a tale that lends itself well to the surreal style of film making on offer here.
Opening with a shipboard scene that could be from an American musical of the 1950’s, a group of rowdy sailors disembark, shouting encouragement to their shy friend to join them on their tour of the local houses of ill-repute. Our hesitant blond matelot Jan, (Mathieu Carriere) who could be straight out of today’s Jean-Paul Gaultier fragrance commercials, has no intention of trawling the port’s fleshpots. The good lad he is, he intends to visit his family.
His lonely walk through the deserted streets pursued by two strange, driven men eventually bears fruit, spotting his beloved sister Nancy (Susan Hampshire) but not before a pell-mell chase, ending up in the bordello he was originally keen to avoid. Lovers of Francophone pop will recognize Sylvie Vartan taking a turn as the Venus Bar’s chanteuse, Bets, who dances with Jan.
Jan’s wakes at the family home, Malpertuis, with sister Nancy, and he is overjoyed to see her once more. It can only be this reunion which makes him feel this way, as the house is otherwise dark, grim and labyrinthine, filled with his wild, eccentric and dangerous relatives. There’s a sense of foreboding about the occasion, as the head of household, bedridden occultist Uncle Cassavius (Orson Welles) intends to dispose of the property and the rest of his estate equally between the family members. A sinister tontine arrangement has been set, however. All can enjoy their inheritance in full but must not leave the confines of the house. If anyone does, they forfeit their share of the estate in favour of the remaindermen.
‘Malpertuis’ rattles on at a furious pace, bringing in assorted family grotesques; the crazed taxidermist, the resident lunatic Lampernisse (Jean-Pierre Cassel), the ghostlike vamp Euryale (Susan Hampshire again) and three sisters grim, with anyone trying to escape being murdered mysteriously. Family enmity, jealousy and naked avarice all manifest themselves in this prison of their own making, the truth only being revealed at the end after more twists and turns than a corkscrew. The scholarly among you will recognize the classical references in the characters, but it won’t spoil the film if you don’t.
‘Malpertuis’, although traditional in form, is a step into surrealism for the characters and may be a little beyond the comfort zone of the everyday horror fan, but give it a chance, it’ll repay you.
The Limited Edition Blu Ray comes with a wealth of extras and lavish packaging.
Scenester
10/9/25
Preorders https://www.radiancefilms.co.uk/products/malpertuis-le
