Ah! I gave the answer, not the question!
Once again, Vincent fails to burn down his castle, which is unfortunate as it would have made a fine symbol of the central theme of the mysteriously titled The Oblong Box (1969), based (I do not know the level of fidelity) on the Edgar Allen Poe story of the same name. A movie of staccato, jarring scene changes, we are introduced to Sir Julian Markham and his older brother, the discovered Sir Edward. Cursed by an African witch doctor while they were at their plantation, Edward now lives in the upper story of their English castle, exiled due to his injury, while Julian cares for him and also woos and becomes engaged.
Somehow, Edward communicates with the outside world and engages the services of another witch doctor and some helpers, who get a pill to him that will render him unto death. Upon finding him in this condition, Sir Julian, arranges for his burial. However, a viewing by the village elders is necessary, and, well, family honor will not permit Edward to be viewed in this condition.
Another body must found.
So a man is murdered and substituted for Sir Edward, but it is Sir Edward who is buried, for what is one to do with the body otherwise? the other body is dumped in the creek. Worse yet, the helpers of Sir Edward simply shrug and enjoy their payments, leaving him alive in the ground. At this juncture, Fate sticks its ugly fingers into the mess, as the local doctor is carrying on some research into the ways of the human body, and requires same to further his research. Sir Edward is dug up and conveyed to the doctor, who takes him under his roof, donating a red mask for Sir Edward’s dignity.
Sir Edward has dedicated his life to revenge, but such are his human needs that he mixes in with the ladies, leading to fatal consequences, along with his expected victims. Before long, the capstone to this tale is revealed, and Julian is forced to shoot Edward dead.
But Edward dies with one fell nip of Julian’s hand, leaving Julian to visualize the termination of his family line – thus, the allusion to the burning of his castle.
The movie has plenty of sympathetic characters, yet somehow we never actually form an attachment. Perhaps because of the general atmosphere of casual brutality and violence, perhaps because these characters are here for the story, and not really anything else – despite some handwaves claiming they are. On the other hand, the plot has a few lovely, logical twists, and information is withheld in a well thought out manner, keeping the viewer at least somewhat interested. At best, an uneven movie. Good for a snowy January afternoon, or, as in my case, a day of food poisoning.
