The Legacy (1978) Reviews

• "We are all beholden to Jason"

  sampleman411-12002-04-14

  I like this potboiler. There's a soft spot in me for this story, even though it features the occasional lapse in narrative logic, and the special effects--while serviceable--don't guarantee it will leave much of a cinematic impression in many people's memory, years down the line. The Legacy is passed down by a moribund multi-millionaire, Jason Mountolive, to a group of inheritors (most of them European) who have travelled from afar to reunite for Jason's last 'will and testament.' Maggie Walsh and boyfriend Pete work together in Los Angeles as interior decorators (what's the likelihood of that?). They are hired sight unseen by a British client and, soon, 'accidentally' meet Jason, and are invited to stay at his home. At Ravenshurst mansion, the inheritors drop like flies, and Jason begins to get a little warmed over--he appears to be melting, cataracts appear, and he's definitely in dire need of a manicure. Clearly, this horror film was inspired by The Omen and, likewise, features a few Rottweilers that help take care of impending 'business' matters... Time to feed the dogs!!!

• Well-made supernatural version of crime classic

  Sibelius18652001-07-16

  An excellent little movie, though it might be wasted on anyone likely to get disappointed by 1970s special effects or confused by the intrusion of a plot. It's a well-made supernatural re-working of Agatha Christie's "And then there were None" (Originally "Ten Little Nigger Boys") and starts when the descendents of a 17th century witch gather at an English country house in the hope of receiving part of the family legacy. Instead, they get a dose of poetic justice delivered from beyond the grave. Don't expect to be scared out of your skin, just entertained for a while.

• Loved the book

  stuartdonna362011-06-15

  This movie doesn't seem to compare to the horror movies of today but I remember really liking this film when it came out. It may have been considered much better back when the film was released. I had read the book first when it came out before seeing the film and thought it was fantastic. I found it to be a great story and played very well in my mind. Though most seem to have a complaint about the special effects/ cheesiness of the film. I think they fair well in the time frame that the movie was made, plus to this day the swimming pool scene still gives me a chill. If the special effects don't work for you try reading the book and see if your imagination doesn't bring this story to life for you. I gave it an 7 because I felt it was a good solid movie and that is what I would have rated it back in 1978.

• The Mansion. The Gathering. The Evil... Her Destiny.

  Vomitron_G2010-07-29

  The first time I ever saw this one, I must have been barely in my mid-teens. And I didn't like it very much (hey, I preferred my horror filled with slimy monsters and lots of blood & gore back then). But some things about this movie stuck with me over the years (especially the infamous 'tracheatomy-scene' did, amongst other things). And I just knew that was a good thing. So you could say I was ready for a more "mature viewing" of this movie. And yes, it's actually pretty good! I didn't mind it was a bit slow during the first half, because it builds up a good atmosphere wrapped in a fine mystery. Some people in their user-comments called it a "haunted house movie", but that couldn't possibly be further from the truth, as far as I'm concerned. It's a film about the supernatural, yes, but the only 'haunted house'-related thing it does have, is indeed one big, creepy looking mansion on an isolated location on UK grounds. Margaret Walsh (played by a beautiful looking Katharine Ross) is summoned to the UK for an architect-assignment. Her friend Pete (Sam Elliot) accompanies her. Circumstances lead her to the aforementioned mansion, where she is obliged to stay the weekend. Then 5 other guests arrive and they all seem to know why they are there, but Margaret doesn't. It's up to her and Pete to find out, because it doesn't take long before the guests start dying one by one. And something inside the mansion isn't willing to let her go... That's really all you need to know before going into this movie. The death-scenes aren't particularly gory, but they were sort of original at the time (1978), and there's even a catch to them... Very happy I did finally re-watch this film, as I seem to have slightly misjudged it in my teen-days.

• Katherine & Sam go to the devil

  macabro3572004-09-27

  Another of Universal's recent 70s DVD horror releases, this one's about a woman (Katherine Ross) who goes to England with her cynical boyfriend (Sam Elliott) to take on an interior decorating assignment. On a motorcycle ride out in the countryside, they're 'accidentally' run off the road by Jason Mountolive and are invited to stay at his castle while repairs are done to their motorbike. Once they get there, they encounter other strange guests including Roger Daltrey as a rock star and a creepy German industrialist (played by Charles Gray). Daltrey later dies from choking on a chicken bone while Gray dies after being burned by a fire. His pile of burnt remains are then scooped up by one of the house staff and fed to the dogs. Cool. As the rest of the other guest die off through horrible ends designed to look like accidents, it slowly dawns on Ross that she is the chosen one to inherit the not-so-normal Mountolive's legacy. I thought this one was entertaining with an intriguing plot that had me wondering what was going to happen next. Lots of excellent overhead shots and crane work add to the beautiful view of the castle where they filmed it. More good English locations also add to the atmosphere. If your not too demanding about horror films from the 70s, then you might like this one. I thought it was entertaining enough. 7 out of 10