I was thinking that the reason this British horror film has flown under the radar may be because it isn't from one of the 'big' studios at the time (Hammer, Amicus etc), but I reckon the reason is more likely because it's simply not as memorable as many of the better remembered horror films from the time period - but that's not to say that it's a bad film! David Greene's film is a sombre, slow-build effort that is as much about as atmosphere and tension as it is about characters and situation. It's true that The Shuttered Room doesn't take advantage of it's positive elements as much as it undoubtedly could have done, and it harms the film overall; but there's enough in reserve to keep it ticking over. The plot follows Mike Kelton; husband of Susannah, a young woman haunted by a traumatic event in her past. He hopes that by returning to her home town, she may be able to confront her past and get over her trauma; however, the threat returns upon her hometown comeback, and it all seems to focus on what lingers within a room in an old house...
The mystery elements of the plot make up the film's backbone, and bode well with the dark and ominous atmosphere that the director creates around the central theme. The plot is a little too wayward to take full advantage of this theme, as the idea of exactly what lurks within the title location doesn't often make up the main plot line, and at times even feels like an afterthought. The characters are well presented, and the central two; Mike and Susannah Kelton are easy enough to get along with, although much of the reason for that is that neither one is particularly well defined, and exist merely as amiable caricatures. Oliver Reed's performance is, as you would expect, the film's main highlight; as the Hammer regular delivers a strong support performance and completely commands ever scene he's in. The way the story plays out is usually interesting enough, without ever standing out too much; but it boils down to a satisfying conclusion which nicely wraps all the story threads in a plausible manner. Overall, I wouldn't recommend going to the ends of the Earth to track this down; but even though there's better sixties British horror films out there, this one is still worth a watch.
The mystery elements of the plot make up the film's backbone, and bode well with the dark and ominous atmosphere that the director creates around the central theme. The plot is a little too wayward to take full advantage of this theme, as the idea of exactly what lurks within the title location doesn't often make up the main plot line, and at times even feels like an afterthought. The characters are well presented, and the central two; Mike and Susannah Kelton are easy enough to get along with, although much of the reason for that is that neither one is particularly well defined, and exist merely as amiable caricatures. Oliver Reed's performance is, as you would expect, the film's main highlight; as the Hammer regular delivers a strong support performance and completely commands ever scene he's in. The way the story plays out is usually interesting enough, without ever standing out too much; but it boils down to a satisfying conclusion which nicely wraps all the story threads in a plausible manner. Overall, I wouldn't recommend going to the ends of the Earth to track this down; but even though there's better sixties British horror films out there, this one is still worth a watch.