Gems from Ray's Video Vault 2:
MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH

AND THE BAND PLAYED ON... - MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH

1964
Rated PG (though there's copious use of fake blood)
Starring Vincent Price, Jane Asher, & Patrick Magee

"Take this to your village and tell the people the day of their deliverance is at hand." This dire prophecy and the gift of a rose dripping with blood set the stage for Roger Corman's adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale. Sure, Corman's made more bad films than any ten other filmmakers, but if you throw enough crap against the screen, something HAS to stick.

The story is basic enough. Prince Prospero, a Satan-worshipping nobleman, invites his contemporaries to a masquerade ball while, unbeknownst to them, a horrific plague ravages his kingdom. He thinks his demonic pact will spare him and his honored guests who will then have no choice but to accept Satan as lord and master.

Vincent Price shows why his name was synonymous with horror for so many years as Prince Prospero, giving an eloquent case for atheism in his own dread manner. Jane Asher, Paul McCartney's fiancee and muse at the time, is simply ravishing as Francesca, the peasant girl Prince Prospero spares and seeks to turn into his Satanic pupil. Patrick Magee also puts in a fine performance as Alfredo, an egocentric aristocrat whose pride proves his own undoing.

The film is paced a little slow and its allegories may be lost on some who were brought up on the mindless slasher genre of horror. Given our chaotic political climate of the moment, however, one cannot help but ponder the significance of the class war at play in the film. While the aristocrats celebrate their good fortune, the underclass who feed them are left to wither and die powerless. Hopefully, the day of our own deliverance is not yet at hand...

In summation, Masque of the Red Death rates 8 out of 10 carat quality. Track it down at your local video store and let me know what you think at ray@skewedperspective.com. E-mail me your review requests as well.

-Ray Rich