I immediately recognised that this must have influenced Dario Argento's surreal Suspiria, and, after some research, found out that in fact, it did (to think that this film inspired Argento is something that I really enjoyed finding out!)

(The soundtrack to this film is also very appropriate, very unearthly, ethereal.)


Silent, sinister & solid version of Poe's tale   July 3, 2001
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

This silent film by French avant-guarde film director Jean Epstein is a unique, and dark take on the classic Poe tale of premature burial and internal decay of the soul. Combining the story "The Oval Portrait" with the Usher story, Epstein and his actors create a solid narrative. The camera work is very powerful, helping to convey the nightmare within the story. If you enjoy silent films and Poe's work, I would highly recommend this one.


Beautiful film; really bad music!   December 31, 2001
 6 out of 10 found this review helpful

This is an absolutely fantastic spooky film which draws you in. The DVD presentation is very good, with an excellent print and excellent picture quality. The only drawback is that this is a French film and some stupid guy guy has to read all the titles and lines, and you can barely understand what he's saying through his strong French accent. The other thing about the soundtrack is the music. It's a cross between Irish folk music and church music. When I started this DVD I tried to turn off the sound, but then realized that there were no subtitles, so I was forced to listen to the bad music and that old French wretch throughout the film, but it's not TOO distracting. The audio is the only reason I didn't give this DVD 5 stars, and though I do prefer the 1949 version of this title this one has mesmerising cinematography and is really good for a silent film.


A POEsy   June 30, 2001
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

With Luis Bunuel as assistant director, Jean Epstein directed THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER in 1928. It's one of these movies always quoted in encyclopaedia or dictionaries but almost impossible to see if you don't live in Paris, London or Los Angeles. At last, THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER makes a discreet appearance in the DVD market. Except for a scene access, you won't find here any bonus features and the 66 minutes copy has obviously known better times. Don't expect a Criterion treatment and appreciate a portion of Movie History lost between black and white spots.

Edgar Allan Poe's novelette gives its name to the movie but Jean Epstein has freely adapted it by borrowing several themes from other works of the great american writer. One can also say that the arrival of Roderick Usher's friend is an homage to Friedrich Wilhelm's Murnau's NOSFERATU. But THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER has a poetic appeal of its own created by innovative camera movements, hypnotical actors and a labyrinthic castle. If you have the inner courage to rent or buy a silent movie, you too will be hypnotized by this forgotten masterpiece.

A DVD zone reference.