This week's review is dedicated to my wonderful mother who always watches the best old horror movies with me! Just like this movie! There are some movies that I watch and ask, “Why did I just waste time watching that terrible movie.” And then somehow, a few years down the line I end up going, “huh, I want to watch that movie again.” The Screaming Skull is one cult classic horror film that I have done this with. It is a cheesy, poorly made, poorly acted, trip into the macabre that I realize--nearly five years after my first screening--is a delightfully film.
The Screaming Skull opens with an iconic cult troupe that is both laughable and memorable. The image is of a coffin with some flickering candles nearby. An announcer then comes on that warns the audience that they may die of fright during the film; therefore, the film producers are offering free burial to anyone who dies of fright while watching The Screaming Skull. Slowly the coffin begins to open and inside is a sign reading “reserved for you”
The Screaming Skull opens with an iconic cult troupe that is both laughable and memorable. The image is of a coffin with some flickering candles nearby. An announcer then comes on that warns the audience that they may die of fright during the film; therefore, the film producers are offering free burial to anyone who dies of fright while watching The Screaming Skull. Slowly the coffin begins to open and inside is a sign reading “reserved for you”
Right away this sets the creepy atmosphere for this cult chiller classic. In some ways this feels like it was the most expensive scene in the movie. After this scene ends we are introduced to a newly married couple who are moving into an empty mansion. Literally, the house is empty. There is hardly a lick of furniture in the building! Did they just not have enough money to dress the set? They try to explain why the house is empty but it seems contrived and tacked on. Oh, well. It is still a creepy house.
This newly married couple feel tense and awkward about their new relationship. The wife has recently been released from a mental institute and is looking to start a new life with a healthy mind. She hopes she will find the happiness she seeks in this mansion with her new husband. Her husband on the other hand previously lost his first wife when she accidentally slipped and fell into the garden pond. His new bride fears the spirit of the previous wife is still in the mansion somewhere.
On the first night the wife finds herself alone in the mansion. She can’t seem to find her husband and the old house is creaking and groaning like an old man. In the darkness she begins to see a skull following her about the house, knocking on the door, and rolling down the stairs. Thus begins this woman’s downward spiral into insanity.
This newly married couple feel tense and awkward about their new relationship. The wife has recently been released from a mental institute and is looking to start a new life with a healthy mind. She hopes she will find the happiness she seeks in this mansion with her new husband. Her husband on the other hand previously lost his first wife when she accidentally slipped and fell into the garden pond. His new bride fears the spirit of the previous wife is still in the mansion somewhere.
On the first night the wife finds herself alone in the mansion. She can’t seem to find her husband and the old house is creaking and groaning like an old man. In the darkness she begins to see a skull following her about the house, knocking on the door, and rolling down the stairs. Thus begins this woman’s downward spiral into insanity.
The rest of the movie is filled with more such hauntings as well as investigations to find out if the skull is real or not. It leads to a final climatic scene with a physical wrestling match against the skull itself, a ridiculously silly conclusion that is not to be missed. Seriously, it is one of the best parts of the film.
The film overall is pretty badly put together. The editing it choppy and lazy. The acting is silly and subpart. And the storyline is so short and ridiculous it reminds me of something I would have wrote in middle school. But these are all elements that make The Screaming Skull the awesome cult classic that it is. It is something that must be seen to be believed. The movie has some wonderful moments that are legitimately atmospheric and creepy. (You know that creeped out feeling you get when you’re alone in a new unfamiliar place at night? Ever creek and groan sends shivers down the spine.) They capture that fear fairly well. Also, the “special effects” make this a treat to behold. It is indeed so bad that eventually you find some strange charm in it.
The film overall is pretty badly put together. The editing it choppy and lazy. The acting is silly and subpart. And the storyline is so short and ridiculous it reminds me of something I would have wrote in middle school. But these are all elements that make The Screaming Skull the awesome cult classic that it is. It is something that must be seen to be believed. The movie has some wonderful moments that are legitimately atmospheric and creepy. (You know that creeped out feeling you get when you’re alone in a new unfamiliar place at night? Ever creek and groan sends shivers down the spine.) They capture that fear fairly well. Also, the “special effects” make this a treat to behold. It is indeed so bad that eventually you find some strange charm in it.
Summing it Up
The Screaming Skull is definitely for a select audience of those who love cult classic cheese. It has over the top acting, terrible special effects, and a story so trite and silly you just have to laugh. If you don’t think you can sit through an hour of that then I wouldn’t recommend it. However, if you love great old B-horror flicks then I recommend checking this one out.
Deaths: 1
Language: 1
Gore Factor: 1
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 2
Fun Factor: 3
Overall Rating: 4
Deaths: 1
Language: 1
Gore Factor: 1
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 2
Fun Factor: 3
Overall Rating: 4
To learn more about my rating system click here.