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Scott Glenn, Alberta Watson, Jürgen Prochnow, Robert Prosky, Gabriel Byrne ... see more see more... , Ian McKellen , William Morgan Sheppard , Royston Tickner , David Cardy , Michael Carter , Rosalie Crutchley , Jona Jones , Phillip Joseph , Wolf Kahler , Renny Krupinski , Bruce Payne , John Vine , Frederick Warder , Stephen Whittaker , Phillip Bloomfield , John Eastham , Stephen Jenn , Peter Guinness

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 ... read more read more...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

Flixster Users

46% liked it

3,089 ratings

Critics

20% liked it

10 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Michael Mann

Release Date: December 16, 1983

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Flixster Reviews (321)

  • phubbs1
    February 14, 2012
    phubbs1
    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.

    ... read moreOn 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.
  • ythelastman89
    December 21, 2010
    ythelastman89
    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 N... read moreazi. 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.
  • Naesssal
    June 28, 2009
    Naesssal
    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... read more 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.
  • hawkledge
    March 5, 2009
    hawkledge
    Gorgeous synth-soaked soundtrack by Tangerine Dream, overabundance of mood, Ian McKellen compelling in this Eastern European-flavored revenge fantasy, morality tale.
  • SteveStrange
    January 19, 2009
    SteveStrange
    It's eternity in there.
  • DrLappos
    May 9, 2008
    DrLappos
    Very silly but atill worth watching.
  • johnxerxes
    December 25, 2011
    johnxerxes
    with so many movies from the mid-80s, LIFEFORCE springs to mind, just as I am thinking to myself, "Wow this is a gorgeous little gem of a movie that totally deserves more credit and attention." It is as if the underachieving movie hears me, shocked that it might blow its straight... read more C Average, and immediately gives up. About the time Scott Glenn gets to the Keep the whole movie turns into a shitfest. The demon is a bad latex joke, after the impressive smoke scene. The Talisman is a flashlight. And the sex scene is all about biceps. Terrible. Still, the first third of this movie is compelling and visually cool.
  • staup2005
    April 10, 2011
    staup2005
    I had been wanting to see this film since the 80's, but never got around to it. I recently watched it on Netflix and so glad I did, it was very enjoyable and reminiscent of the old fantasy/horror films of it's time....I miss that. It's nice to be able to go back now and again. ... read more It was great to see Ian McKellen in a younger role...most only know of him as Gandalf or James Whale from "Gods and Monsters". Creepy at times but not scary...there's even a little for the gorehounds out there! Great late night viewing!
  • Johnlindsey289
    August 15, 2010
    Johnlindsey289
    Fantastic underrated Supernatural horror fantasy about an ancient vampiric golem evil unleashed in WWII Romania from a Keep. Michael Mann does great direction and the score by Tangerine Dream is fantastic, it's scary and well made with great actors like Ian Mckellen, Gabriel Bryn... read moree to Scott Glenn.
  • starshipshields
    December 26, 2009
    starshipshields
    I saw this movie years ago and absolutely loved it. It was the first time I had ever seen Scott Glen and I thought he was absolutely HOT in this film. I have wanted to see it again but haven't had any success through Netflix. For anyone who is interested in seeing the Nazi's ... read morefight something they cannot win, this film is for you. Loved the soundtrack (Tangerine Dream). Something that seemed a bit odd, though. is that the religious symbol found in the keep was a cross. I would have thought it would have been something representative of the Jews, like the Star of David.

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Critic Reviews

Keith Uhlich
September 9, 2011
Keith Uhlich, Reverse Shot

Mann must share the blame for the movie's failures. But nor should its beauties be denied. Full Review

Tim Brayton
June 9, 2009
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. Full Review

Pablo Villaca
August 11, 2008
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
September 8, 2003
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com

Only a pleasure if ye can handle the guilt.

Scott Weinberg
January 1, 2000
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Directed by Michael Mann. Starring Ian McKellan, Gabriel Byrne and Scott Glenn. Sounds good, right? Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
September 21, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Jake Euker
August 4, 2005
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 3, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Michael H. Price
December 8, 2004
Michael H. Price, Fort Worth Business Press

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Keep Trivia

  • What movie do these lines come from? Woman: "I've been watching you all night from across the room" Frank Farmer: "Well why don't you go back there and keep watching"  Answer »
  • Which 1983 horror, war movie, stars Scott Glenn, Ian Mckellen, and Gabriel Byrne? Based on the novel of the same name  Answer »
  • What song is playing in Spider-man 2 when Peter Parker is walking down the sidewalk and puts his glasses back on for the first time in the movie?  Answer »
  • In "Speed",How fast must the bus go to keep from exploding?  Answer »
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