MovieChat Forums > Quella villa accanto al cimitero (1984) Discussion > Some Questions -- HELP

Some Questions -- HELP

posted 16 years ago by global_global
8 replies | jump to latest

I thought this movie was good, but was I was puzzled about a few aspects. Maybe someone can help clarify these points:

Several people (at the real estate office and at the library) imply that Norman has been to the house before, but Norman denies this after a slight pause. Why is this?

Why does Ann remove the wood that's been put over the basement door to keep it from being opened?

What is the relationship between Norman and Ann? It seems as if they're both in on some sinister secret.

And finally, how come Dr. Freudstein is a Frankenstein-like monster, but his wife is apparently alive and well, with no physical damage to her body?

[–] psdhart 15 years ago

Too many plot holes in this film, i wish I knew the answers

[–] Perkins_the_Uncanny 15 years ago

I posted this elsewhere. I'm sorry I have no answers, but NOBODY does..this is as good as you'll get-

There are two major problems with Italian explitation cinema of the time.

The first is that most Italian directors believe in style over substance; who CARES if it makes no sense, it LOOKS good!

The second is that usually most of the cast speak different languages and the script is translated on the fly, or a cast member doesn't even speak English and delivers the lines phonetically (Dario Argento is lying on the ground behind the bench Udo Kier is sitting on in 'Suspiria' telling him his lines as Udo spoke NO English at the time).

When a script is translated into several different languages and the director doesn't care...THAT'S when you get plot holes and things don't make sense.

Perkins...the Uncanny

"Zombies, man. Creep me out..."

[–] bloody-3 9 years ago

Are you sure your information about SUSPIRIA is correct? Udo Kier spoke English well in FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN and BLOOD FOR DRACULA and those films were made several years before the Dario Argento movie. Also Kier had the lead in THE HOUSE ON STRAW HILL which was made in England so I'm pretty certain he could speak English.

[–] Perkins_the_Uncanny 9 years ago

Just checked, you are correct. However, my information came straight from the horse's mouth; Udo tells the story on the Anchor Bay Suspiria DVD.

Either he's mistaken or there's a bit of 'artistic licence' being used to tell a good story.

Perkins...the Uncanny
"Zombies, man. Creep me out..."

[–] bloody-3 9 years ago

I would also point out he is in MARK OF THE DEVIL with fellow German actor Reggie Nalder and they can both speak English well.

[–] Perkins_the_Uncanny 9 years ago

Hmmm, yes. I think the horses mouth may be telling a tall story.

Perkins...the Uncanny
"Zombies, man. Creep me out..."

[–] FishHeadSweety 9 years ago

The wife, and daughter, and Bob at the end are ghosts.

[–] alex_nox2 8 years ago

About two points you've mentioned, most viewers and fans seen to agree on this:
1. Bob is actually killed (offscreen), but Mae saves his soul and brings him to "The Beyond" with her mother. Actually; Fulci seems to have said something inan interview that corroborates this theory. The Freudsteins (mother and daughter) were supposedly killed by Dr. Freudstein himself, being his first victims.
2. Norman Boyle and Anne were having an affair even before the Boyles moved to New Whitby. That would explain the glances and weird behaviour, and also the comments on the fact that Dr Boyle had been in New Whitby before with his "daughter" (it was Anne, mistaken for a teenage or young daughter). I had the impression, though, the affair was over when the Boyles moved to the Freudstein House (or Oak Manor, as the real state agent prefers). I don't have a clue, however, why was Anne unboarding the cellar door, neither heard any satisfactory explanation for this, apart from trying to establish her as a red herring.