The Dark Angel

I look at this movie more as a drama than a horror movie because I did not see a whole lot of scariness in this movie but I did love the acting all except the kissing of Maude and her uncle Sylas....gross, I'd rather kiss snails than kiss his lips. That part of the movie made me sick. But I loved the acting of the evil governess. It made me think of the movie "Flowers in the Attic" of the character of the evil grandmother. But I never figured out just what was wrong with her uncle. Why we went into bouts of insanity and then all the sudden calm down and look at everyone as if they were mad. It made me feel for the characters because each one played their part excellent. The ending of the movie was a big let down though. I did not expect this movie to end that way. But it is a good movie if you like Gothic movies. I even see some ideas taken from "Dracula" in this movie.

The novel Uncle Silas is one of, if not THE oldest known horror stories where people ARE monsters and don't have to be invented.

Peter O'Toole is by turns, charming, corrupt, repulsive and terrifying! He is also brilliant in this role and seems to take great pleasure in BEING Uncle Silas.

The film, for TV, has high production standards and a marvelous cast. It is full of wonderful touches of the fantastic, while being firmly grounded in the early Victorian era. The houses are cluttered with all sorts of interesting bricka-brac and then there is the painting of Uncle Silas as The Dark Angel.

In fact, here in The United States the film is called The Dark Angel and there is some confusion when trying to purchase the film on VHS.

There are parts of this film that are very difficult to watch. The tension and the suspense build up to a fine pitch and terror is in every corner.

Is Uncle Siles simply mad or is there something more sinister effecting his reason?

Is there anyone that Maude can really trust? Who is the strange young man who threatens her and what are his motives?

See Uncle Silas, or in the U.S., The Dark Angel and find out. See this fine film for the bravura performance of Peter O'Toole. You will spend days asking yourself questions and have to watch the film more than once to find satisfactory answers.

Uncle Silas, known in the United States as The Dark Angel, is based on the classic early horror novel named Uncle Silas. There have been several versions of this story, but I think this one is the definitive presentation.

Peter O'Toole is in his glory here, being, by turns, charming, mysterious, unnerving and terrifying.

The production values in this made-for-TV adaption are VERY high. It was part of The Masterpiece Theater Series on PBS.

The story is disturbing and not all the questions raised are answered, leaving room for audience participation and a difference of opinion as to whether Uncle Siles was mad or possessed by a diabolic force.

The entire cast is splendid. NOT for the timid. There are some horrifying scenes in this one. Watch it for the magnificent, if slightly over-the-top performance of O'Toole.

I first saw this film on Mystery! in the early nineties while in college. The downright creepy tone of the movie is set from the beginning and continues through the end. That's probably what made me like it so much. You meet Maud and know that she is sheltered and innocent. You sense something sinister between her father and his estranged brother. When the father dies and Maud moves in with Uncle Silas (played by Peter O'Toole) everything seems normal enough for a while. However between the crumbling house Silas lives in, his weird children, the pills and wine he depends on, and the disturbing way he plays the helpless invalid, you soon can feel that something really bad is going to happen. The slow way in which things go downhill for Maud draws you in. I particularly liked the way the director used windows in the film.

A strung out looking O'Toole was perfect for the part of Uncle Silas.

The only negative thing was that the scenes changed so abruptly in several instances that I felt like I was watching an edited version.

It has mystery and suspense. It is heavy on eerie atmosphere throughout the movie which really sets the mood for the story. It has light romance which is not overblown. Peter O'toole makes a wonderful,wicked uncle. He is the only actor who could have played this role because he is very wicked yet unbelieveably charming.