The Keep [1983] | ![The Keep [1983]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31kAuUTBeoL._SL160_.jpg) | Director: Michael Mann
Actors: Scott Glenn, Jurgen Prochnow, Gabriel Byrne, Ian McKellen
Studio: Paramount
Category: Video
Buy New: £25.99
as of 9/9/2010 17:05 BST details
New (2) Used (1) Collectible (1) from £17.99
Seller: shadowman1961
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 1,974
Format: PAL, Colour, Full Screen
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Media: VHS Tape
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 92 Minutes
Model: VHR 4473
EAN: 5014437447326
ASIN: B000MZG1IS
Theatrical Release Date: 1983
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Michael Mann's superb gothic thriller will grip you with it's combination of horror, romance and the supernatural.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
 DVD please! June 30, 2010
S. Arnott (UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've read the book and seen the film. The book is hackneyed garbage (just awful); the movie is very good, verging on great, possibly brilliant. It is crying out for a DVD release.
The enemy within April 21, 2010
Mr. Jonathon T. Beckett (Dracula's Crypt)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
!!!WARNING. MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!
Can I just start by mentioning that I first read the book by F. Paul Wilson on which this film is based at the age of twelve on a not so rapid train taking me back to Holyhead from London. It soon became my favourite book, and by the time I saw the film for the first time, I must have read the book three times at least. So the film comes on television, late night BBC2, and I was very excited at seeing my favourite book transferred to the screen. Perhaps thats why I was so harsh towards it at the time, decrying it as a bastardisation of the source material and generally being rather po-faced about it. So, nearly twenty years later, and thanks to an act of kindness on somebodies part, I had the chance to watch the film again.
Well, for a start, I'm glad to say that I was wrong about this film. Okay, it isn't a faithful word for word adaptation of the book, but neither does it claim to be. In fact, I've got to say that I enjoyed it immensely. First of all there is the cinematography. The film is quite beautiful, a visual delight, with Mann giving the film real scope at times, such as the wonderful scene when Private Lutz peers down into Rasalom's prison, which seems to stretch back to hell itself. The characters sometimes appear like ants on a very large tapestry, such is Mann's vision. The acting is also very good on the whole, with most of the cast nicely underplaying their roles.The exception to this suprisingly is Ian Mckellan who hams it a bit as Professor Cuza, though it should be added that he was told to play it that way. Finally, I must add that Betws-Y-Coed makes for a very convincing Carpathian village with its mist enshrouded slate quarries.
One critisism of the film is the portrayal of Rasalom/Molasar. I had no problem with the creature's design, though I will say that some of Rasalom's sly cunning and manipulation has been lost in transition from page to screen. Although the changes in plot in the film from the book may seem insignificant, they are in fact quite important, with Woermann being shot by Kaemphher, when in the book he ends his own life. In the book, Cuza dies, in the film he is saved by Glaecken's sacrifice. Mann has also added a character, Robert Prosky's priest who wasn't in the original story. However, I musn't nitpick too much, as I mentioned before, this film does not claim to be a totally faithful adaptation of the novel, so should not be treated as such.
Just a couple of small points to finish. Tangerine Dream's soundtack, derided by many. Well, I think it is one of the best soundtracks for any film I've seen, it complements the on-screen action perfectly. Perhaps the fact that the film was made in the 80's, made viewers expect some warbled ballad over the opening and closing credits. Also, I would just like to add my voice to the chorus of pleas for a dvd release, as it really does deserve one. Doesn't seem likely though, unfortunately.
Anyway, a film that I appreciate a lot ore now I've got over my reverential regard for the book a little. 5 out of 5, despite its flaws
P.S(and I do promise to shut up and stop rambling in a minute!). There is a blink and you'll miss it cameo from Rik Mayall as a Nazi trooper. Yes, it really is him, although he is uncredited
The greatest ever World War II horror movie February 21, 2010
Blackhorse47 (Moray, Scotland)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
During World War II a battalion of German soldiers take over a mysterious castle. But deep within the dungeons a primal evil force is stirring...
This is a relatively unknown movie that the studios hated so much they edited the original three-hour running time down by around half, thereby ensuring the finished product makes little sense. But still, there's plenty to enjoy. The movie features a complex telling of the old dark house tale and gives it a more serious treatment than it needs. The result is a product that is barking mad, and when combined with a Tangerine Dream soundtrack, it plays for much of its length like the ultimate 80s rock video. In fact I'm sure I've seen a lot of the imagery here re-appearing in a various pop-promos.
Although the film maintains a high standard of visual excess, the closing sequence is one of the most ludicrous ever committed to film. In it a nameless creation from Hell stomps around the corpses of dozens of murdered Germans, while the dry-ice machine tries not to blow a gasket. And the only thing that can save civilization from annihilation is a bloke with weird eyeballs and a glowing stick and Sir Ian McKellen's overacting. What follows is an epic scenery chewing battle, while all the time the soundtrack belts out and it's anyone's guess what's going on. It's so silly and pretentious it perhaps explains why this film has been buried. It's the sort of film only someone with a big budget and no executive control would make, and it is magnificent. I urge you to see this film. You'll love it.
 Should be zero stars October 6, 2009
Dr. W. E. Allen (Belfast, UK)
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
The novel that this film is based on is great, perhaps the best horror novel I have read. However this film bares only a very superficial resemblance to the book, with all sorts of details left out or changed. In the book the monster is despatched by a magical sword, in the film a rather lame ray gun etc. Also the film actually almost leaves out the best part of the novel, ie the night by night murder of the German soldiers. Do yourself a favour read the book and ignore the film.
weird but great September 17, 2009
micheal zeeland (netherlands)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Why is this one not on dvd yet? Far from perfect story-wise, but great atmosphere.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
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