The Keep (1983)

20% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
46% of users liked it
(3,089 ratings)

The Keep is an ambitious visual feast from director Michael Mann, whose previous effort was the moody, stylish Thief, and who would soon produce the quintessential pastel-colored '80s TV series Miami Vice. Adapted from the novel by F. Paul Wilson and set in German-occupied Romania of 1943, the film… More The Keep is an ambitious visual feast from director Michael Mann, whose previous effort was the moody, stylish Thief, and who would soon produce the quintessential pastel-colored '80s TV series Miami Vice. Adapted from the novel by F. Paul Wilson and set in German-occupied Romania of 1943, the film introduces the invaders to the dark presence lurking within the walls of an ancient fortress in the Carpathian Alps -- a presence which doesn't take well to unwanted guests. When soldiers under the command of Captain Woermann (Jurgen Prochnow) begin to die horribly, he receives the unwanted assistance of Nazi Major Kampffer (Gabriel Byrne), who immediately assumes command and forcibly enlists the aid of the local expert on ancient languages, the Jewish Doctor Theodore Cuza (Ian McKellen), in the translation of the cryptic writings left near a murdered soldier's body. When Cuza comes face-to-face with the Keep's ancient resident -- an ethereal creature which gains strength by draining the life-force from its enemies -- he forms a pact with the creature in the hope that it will escape and destroy Hitler's armies. When a mysterious stranger (Scott Glenn) arrives at the nearby village and befriends Cuza's daughter Eva (Alberta Watson), he reveals the true nature of the beast within the Keep, as well as his intent to destroy it before Cuza can release it -- a task which, if failed, will spell doom for all mankind. The film's fever-dream-logic casts a hypnotic spell -- ably assisted by Tangerine Dream's pulsating, ethereal music (including electronic variations on a theme by Thomas Tallis) -- with a story that seems to play by the Keep's own eerie supernatural rules. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Michael Mann
Written By: Michael Mann
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Horror

In Theaters: Dec 16, 1983 Wide
Studio: Paramount

Critic Reviews

Keith Uhlich, Reverse Shot
Mann must share the blame for the movie's failures. But nor should its beauties be denied.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
After a brilliant opening act, the plot gets flabbier and flabbier until around the half-way point, when it stops making any sense whatsoever.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Depois do brilhante Profissão: Ladrão, Mann cria um desastre que impressiona por ser pavoroso em todos os seus aspectos: direção, roteiro, atuações, trilha sonora, efeitos visuais e fotografia.
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com
Only a pleasure if ye can handle the guilt.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Directed by Michael Mann. Starring Ian McKellan, Gabriel Byrne and Scott Glenn. Sounds good, right?

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Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Mann's second film and a controversial adaptation of Wilson's novel that didn't go down too well with either the audiences or the author. The film isn't particularly bad but there is obviously allot of hack editing going on and much of the original plot has been… More
Mann's second film and a controversial adaptation of Wilson's novel that didn't go down too well with either the audiences or the author. The film isn't particularly bad but there is obviously allot of hack editing going on and much of the original plot has been ignored or cut. On the visual side the film is really quite cool looking, it almost looks like an early MTV rock video hehe the effects (for the time) were pretty swish and do hold the tone of the film together. There is allot of visual flair going on here which is one of the films saving graces. Another plus point is the soundtrack by Tangerine Dream, as you would expect their usual blend of futuristic, electronic, enthral and spiritual sounds is quite unique and very uplifting to listen to. The only problem is this lovely soundtrack doesn't really fit this film, allot of tense moments don't really come across as I suspect they should have whilst the music floats in the background, you would expect to hear a score like this for a film like 'Blade Runner'. The film is also confusing and unexplained, the original novel is straight forward but the film is a mess. The evil entity that is released seems to be angry at the Nazi's for killing 'his people' so I'm guessing it was a Jewish entity? and if it wants to kill Nazi's why not let it?. We also don't find out where the entity comes from, what it is?, what's its purpose?, who is 'Glenn'?, what is 'Glenn's' story? etc... This isn't really a horror in my eyes, there isn't much blood or gore and its not scary in the slightest, it comes across as a slightly adult version of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' really. The entity or demon is a bit comical to be honest, should of been kept unseen really, shame as the sets, lighting and camera work all play well to set the mood. I think first time viewers who have not read the novel will struggle with many questions but the blend of gothic horror set amidst WWII will keep most entertained and interested as it is well crafted. The cast of big names in early roles also works in the films favour, check McKellen in a pre 'Professor X' type role and Gabriel Byrne as the sadistic German SD Officer Sturmbannführer.
Conner R

With a little work, this could have been a truly great movie. However, the story just makes no sense and the characters have nowhere to go. About the only thing really good is the bizarre soundtrack from Tangerine Dream. Gabriel Byrne also makes for one ridiculously threatening Nazi.… More
With a little work, this could have been a truly great movie. However, the story just makes no sense and the characters have nowhere to go. About the only thing really good is the bizarre soundtrack from Tangerine Dream. Gabriel Byrne also makes for one ridiculously threatening Nazi. I really liked the basic concept of the soul-taking demon and wishthat Michael Mann took this to a higher level than just a random showdown at the end. Scott Glenn also makes no sense in this movie, he has little dialogue and all he did was have sex with the daughter of Ian McKellen and bleed Predator blood.
Sean L

For so long, I yearned to see this film while not having access to it. Well I'll be damned if it wasn't on Youtube the whole time. Unfortunately the picture quality was in the dirt and the different sections seemed to be missing some transitional bits so I still don't… More
For so long, I yearned to see this film while not having access to it. Well I'll be damned if it wasn't on Youtube the whole time. Unfortunately the picture quality was in the dirt and the different sections seemed to be missing some transitional bits so I still don't know if I can say I've seen it 100%, but what I have seen was pretty good. It gets pretty crazy at times and the effects don't exactly hold up, but it works well enough. It was great to see young versions of Gabriel Byrne and Ian McKellen doing their typically good work. And of course Michael Mann does a good job as well with the direction. Certainly not his best film, but I'm glad now that I've seen it.
hawk l

Gorgeous synth-soaked soundtrack by Tangerine Dream, overabundance of mood, Ian McKellen compelling in this Eastern European-flavored revenge fantasy, morality tale.
Steve S

It's eternity in there.
Barry L

Very silly but atill worth watching.