Dead Souls
Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov plans to buy the titles to “dead souls” and use them as collateral to obtain a large loan. He comes to a small provincial town and begins to proposition the local landowners. These landowners are revealed to be so petty and avaricious that not even Chichikov’s amazing offer can be worked to his advantage on them. Some stall, some refuse for no obvious reasons, some promise and then renege, and others want “in on the deal.” In the end, Chichikov, having concluded that the landowners are a hopeless lot, leaves for other regions.
Insights
Plot Summary
A London solicitor inherits an old house in the country and discovers it's haunted by the spirits of a murdered family. As he investigates the history of the house, he becomes entangled in a web of dark secrets and supernatural occurrences. The spirits seem to be trying to communicate with him, revealing clues about their demise and warning him of impending danger. He must uncover the truth before he becomes the next victim.
Critical Reception
Dead Souls received a mixed reception from critics upon its release. While some praised its atmospheric tension and the performances of its cast, particularly Denholm Elliott, others found the plot to be convoluted and the scares to be unoriginal. The film is often seen as a product of its time, embodying the gothic horror tropes prevalent in the 1980s.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its suspenseful atmosphere and gothic setting.
- Criticized for a predictable plot and reliance on jump scares.
- The performances, especially Denholm Elliott's, were a notable highlight.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this particular film, making a definitive summary of Google user sentiment difficult. However, those who have seen it often comment on its effectiveness as a suspenseful supernatural thriller, though some find its pacing to be slow.
Fun Fact
The film was based on the 1970 novel of the same name by John Gordon.
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