The Shuttered Room (Blood Island) (1967)

53% of users liked it
(520 ratings)

Another semi-successful attempt to adapt the works of American fantasist H.P. Lovecraft to the screen, this is loosely based on the short story The Shuttered Room (also an alternate release title for the film), a story which is purported to be more the work of "posthumous collaborator" August… More Another semi-successful attempt to adapt the works of American fantasist H.P. Lovecraft to the screen, this is loosely based on the short story The Shuttered Room (also an alternate release title for the film), a story which is purported to be more the work of "posthumous collaborator" August Derleth. The story involves a couple's return to the creepy old ancestral home, located on an island in New England, in which they soon discover the dark secret hidden behind a heavily-locked door in the attic... a door the fearful townsfolk declare "must never be opened." Oliver Reed delivers one of his patented gruff, over-the-top performances as the local nutcase, and director David Greene creates a suitably moody atmosphere, but much like the Roger Corman-produced The Dunwich Horror, this film fails to act on the spooky potential of its theme. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: David Greene
Genres: Horror

On DVD: Dec 9, 2008

Critic Reviews

Lucius Gore, ESplatter
Artfully directed, gorgeously photographed, and well acted "The Shuttered Room" finishes with a pretty predictable ending. But the journey there is quite enjoyable.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Less than good results.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

A very boring pseudo-British giallo is the best way to describe The Shuttered Room. There's nothing particularly special about the film whatsoever except its three main leads: Gig Young, the scrumptuous Carol Lynley and the encapsulating Oliver Reed. I found the score in this one… More
A very boring pseudo-British giallo is the best way to describe The Shuttered Room. There's nothing particularly special about the film whatsoever except its three main leads: Gig Young, the scrumptuous Carol Lynley and the encapsulating Oliver Reed. I found the score in this one to be particularly annoying, as well. It sounds like a jazz band from Hell brought to Hollywood to do a soundtrack. The story itself isn't all that interesting. If Dario Argento had directed Straw Dogs in England, it might have wound up coming off like this. The movie does get Carol Lynley nearly naked, so it does have that going for it. Gig Young is quite funny with his impersonation of James Bond - running around Judo-chopping the town riff raff and driving around in his fancy car. Other than those things, this one isn't all that remarkable or memorable.
AJ V

This is a very disappointing horror movie, it's not even scary and the ending is predictable from the start. None of the actors are very impressive either. Overall, this movie isn't worth seeing.