When the proprietor of a windmill museum (Herbert A.E. Böhme) filled with lifelike statues of women moving around on a carousel agrees to allow a young writer (Pierre Brice) research his museum for a story he his writing, the secrets of his amusement slowly become revealed. Scilla Gabel is his beautiful but ailing daughter (both mentally and physically) who falls in love with the young writer, Böhme warns him that any disturbance to his daughter's emotions could cause instant death. But Brice feels no love for Gabel, and when the daughter "dies", it becomes clear that his employer is up to something sinister. Soon, there's a battle between father, daughter and the local girl he does love (Liana Orfei), and it becomes a race against time to save the girl he loves.
The figures in the windmill museum, set up on a unique rotating carousel, seem strangely real in their horror, and that is where the mystery just begins to get started. Beautifully filmed and quite atmospheric, this European gothic horror film is splendid to look at and utilizes several familiar themes, both of Hollywood's style and the sexually charged European style. Gabel, as the daughter, becomes quite sinister in dealing with her rival, reminding me not only of Barbara Steele with her steely beauty but the grasping character of Fosca in "Passion D'Amour". It's been mentioned what films this emulates, and indeed, the similarities are obvious, but it is presented in a way that is fresh and unique. In fact, I saw hints of other unmentioned films as well, so that is in the eye of the beholder. all in all, this isn't bad and definitely worth seeking out.
The figures in the windmill museum, set up on a unique rotating carousel, seem strangely real in their horror, and that is where the mystery just begins to get started. Beautifully filmed and quite atmospheric, this European gothic horror film is splendid to look at and utilizes several familiar themes, both of Hollywood's style and the sexually charged European style. Gabel, as the daughter, becomes quite sinister in dealing with her rival, reminding me not only of Barbara Steele with her steely beauty but the grasping character of Fosca in "Passion D'Amour". It's been mentioned what films this emulates, and indeed, the similarities are obvious, but it is presented in a way that is fresh and unique. In fact, I saw hints of other unmentioned films as well, so that is in the eye of the beholder. all in all, this isn't bad and definitely worth seeking out.