The Legacy
Director: Richard Marquand
Cast: Katharine Ross, Sam Elliott, John Standing
September 15, 2015
Reviewed by Brian M. Sammons
The often excellent Scream Factory is about to release a one-two punch of 70s horror awesomeness, and the first part of that is this black magic mystery shocker, The Legacy. Staring Katharine Ross and Sam Elliott, who would become (and still be today) husband and wife, and directed by Richard Marquand, who would go on to greater fame with 1981’s Eye of the Needle, 1985’s Jagged Edge, and a little something from 1983: Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. So this movie has legitimate talent both in front and behind the camera, but it has largely been forgotten by many of today’s horror fans. Is there a reason for that? Is this movie forgettable or is it just old enough to fall off people’s radar, but not old enough to be considered a classic? Well pack your bags, we’re off to Merrie Olde England to find out.
Katharine Ross and Sam Elliott are an American couple traveling through England by motorcycle when they are run off the road by a rich guy’s Rolls-Royce. Feeling just horrible about the “accident,” the English gentleman invites the couple to his huge estate until their motorcycle is fixed. Once there, the pair of Yanks meet a group of five of Europe’s rich and powerful who have all gathered at the estate for a special reason. That reason is the passing of a legacy, i.e. phenomenal black magic powers, to one of the six guests. Wait, six? Yes, it seems our American lass didn’t just show up here by accident. So begins a creepy occult mystery where one by one the guests are bumped off because only one of them can inherit The Legacy.
This is the type of movie that just wouldn’t be made today. It is the very definition of slow burn, and furthermore, the entire cast are adults. No teen popstars, former underwear models, or other far-too-pretty people that pass for actors these days. The closest thing that they have here to that is The Who’s Roger Daltrey, who, (surprise, surprise) plays a famous musician. It does have that 70s style of filmmaking, some neat uses of witchcraft, great acting, solid direction, an interesting story, but yeah, there’s no way in hell it would be made in today’s Hollywood. Perhaps that’s the real horror story here.
As for the extras on this new Blu-ray release from Scream Factory, there are only a few, but for a horror movie that has sadly become mostly forgotten, any special goodies are welcome. There is an interview with editor Anne V. Coats that runs about 14 minutes, and another interview with special make-up effects artist Robin Grantham that’s nearly 11 minutes long. A trailer, TV spot, radio spot, and photo gallery can also be found here.
The Legacy is an old fashioned supernatural/occult/witchcraft story. If that kind of thing appeals to you then give it a shot, as it looks great in this restored print, and is quite the fun fright flick. If your horror tastes lean more towards more modern stuff and sensibilities, you might find yourself a little bored with this simple but engaging movie.
