This stylish and faithful adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic short story is one of the most discussed and imaginative Oscar-nominated cartoons of any era. Superbly narrated in first-person by James Mason, it’s a truly haunting masterpiece of paranoia and horror, as well as a timeless milestone in 50’s animation.
Also, it’s a couple days late but still appropriate with this animated video post--- Happy Belated Birthday to the great James Mason, masterful actor extraordinaire and immortalizer of a stunning variety of iconic film characters like Captain Nemo, Humbert Humbert, Richard K. Straker, Dr. Watson, Brutus, Rommel and more! Born on May 15th in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, UK in 1909. R.I.P. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000051/
ReplyDeleteWOW, HADNT SEEN THIS IN YEARS. IT STILL HOLDS THE TITLE OF BEST POE ADAPTATION OF ALL TIME IN MY BOOK, INCLUDING THE CORMAN FILMS. NIGHTMARISH AND FUN, AND MASON'S NARRATION IS CHILLINGLY PERFECT!
ReplyDeleteA CLASSIC!
now that was awesome!
ReplyDeleteExcellent adaption,had the 8mm as a kid.man i love James Mason,someone should have done a Verne series with him as an anaswer to AIP's Poe series,and he's a hoot in FRANKENSTEIN:THE TRUE STORY.
ReplyDeleteExquisite use of passing, design, and vocal performance. Ah, the good old days! No one can replace this type of talent as has been proven with the passage of time.
ReplyDeleteHi, sorry for jumping in on your blog but does anyone know where I could find James Mason reading the entirety of The Tell-Tale Heart? (ie. Iggy Pops length). Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat post - I remember the animation layout artist, Jules Engel, always used to show a film version of this film in his class at CalArts. He was proud of the minimal animation and layouts created by the UPA studio.
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