The Sorcerers
| The Sorcerers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Michael Reeves |
| Produced by |
Patrick Curtis Tony Tenser |
| Written by |
John Burke Michael Reeves Tom Baker |
| Starring |
Boris Karloff Ian Ogilvy Elizabeth Ercy Victor Henry Catherine Lacey Susan George |
| Music by | Paul Ferris |
| Cinematography | Stanley A. Long |
| Distributed by | Tigon British Film Productions |
Running time | 82 mins |
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £50,000[1] |
The Sorcerers is a 1967 British science fiction/horror film directed by Michael Reeves, starring Boris Karloff, Catherine Lacey, Ian Ogilvy, and Susan George.[2] The original story and screenplay was conceived and written by John Burke. Reeves and his childhood friend Tom Baker re-wrote sections of the screenplay, including the ending at Karloff's insistence, wanting his character to appear more sympathetic.[3] Burke was then removed from the main screenwriting credit and was relegated to an 'idea by'.
Plot
An elderly couple (Boris Karloff and Catherine Lacey) use a new method of hypnosis to share the experiences of others. A bored young man named Mike Roscoe (Ian Ogilvy), serves as their surrogate in acts which become more and more amoral and violent.
Cast
- Boris Karloff as Professor Marcus Monserrat
- Catherine Lacey as Estelle Monserrat
- Elizabeth Ercy as Nicole
- Ian Ogilvy as Mike Roscoe
- Victor Henry as Alan
- Sally Sheridan as Laura Ladd
- Alf Joint as Ron, the mechanic
- Meier Tzelniker as the Jewish Baker
- Gerald Campion as customer in China shop
- Susan George as Audrey Woods
- Ivor Dean as Inspector Matalon
- Peter Fraser as Detective
- Martin Terry as Tobacconist
The Sorcerers: The Original Screenplay
After John Burke’s death in 2011, his estate sent two boxes of effects to John’s friend, editor Johnny Mains. Looking through the material he discovered that it contained the original screenplay which was markedly different from the finished film. Burke had already told Mains about Michael Reeves denying him a screenwriting credit, but included in the boxes were several lawyers letters pertaining to the fact that this was the case. Mains then approached PS Publishing who agreed to publish the original screenplay, treatment, letters and other ephemera. The finished book, with an introduction by Matthew Sweet and additional material from Kim Newman, Benjamin Halligan and Tony Earnshaw, was published in October 2013.
References
- ↑ John Hamilton, Beasts in the Cellar: The Exploitation Film Career of Tony Tenser, Fab Press, 2005 p 94
- ↑ "The Sorcerers | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
- ↑ Stephen Jacobs, Boris Karloff: More Than a Monster, Tomohawk Press 2011 p 482-484
External links
- The Sorcerers at the Internet Movie Database
- The Sorcerers at AllMovie
- The Sorcerers at the British Film Institute's Screenonline
- The Sorcerers trailer on YouTube
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