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Crime Cult Classic

Masked murders, family secrets, and a castle on the Louisiana cliffs set the stage for giallo-inspired terror.

NIGHT OF THE SKULL

1974 · 1h 22m · NR · Crime / Horror / Mystery / Thriller · IMDB TMDB
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Quick Answer
What is Night of the Skull about?

Night of the Skull is a 1974 Spanish crime, horror, mystery, and thriller film directed by Jesús Franco about a feuding family targeted by a masked killer during the reading of a will in a Louisiana castle.

Details & Specs
Director
Jesús Franco
Writers
Edgar Allan Poe, James P. Jhonson, Jesús Franco
Release
1974
Runtime
1h 22m
Country
Spain
Language
Spanish
Genres
Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Also Known As
Night of the Assassins, Night of the Killers, Suspiri, Night of the Skull, Original title: La noche de los asesinos

Overview

Night of the Skull invites viewers to a windswept Louisiana castle, where the Marion family's grim reunion for a will reading quickly descends into terror. After Lord Archibald Marion's brutal murder, his relatives—fraught with tension and old grievances—are forced together, only to witness more gruesome killings. As a masked killer stalks the halls and cliffs, Inspector Bore attempts to unravel the mystery, digging into the tangled secrets and dark pasts of the gathered family members. With a setting that evokes the classic 'old dark house' motif and a blend of giallo and gothic horror, Jesús Franco crafts an atmosphere thick with suspicion, voyeurism, and lurking danger.

Why Cult

Masked Killer & Inheritance

The film mixes giallo tropes with a classic inheritance dispute, unleashing a masked murderer on a dysfunctional family.

Spanish Giallo Flair

Jesús Franco brings his unique touch to the giallo formula, delivering both suspense and stylized violence in a moody European setting.

Castle on a Cliff

A Louisiana castle perched on a cliff adds atmosphere and danger, making the setting as menacing as the killer.

Sensuality & Voyeurism

Expect a healthy dose of lingerie, voyeurism, and Franco's signature erotic undercurrents, as highlighted in the film's keywords.

Threat File

Trigger

Reading of Marion's will

Threat

Masked killer targeting family members

Effect

Family members are murdered in gruesome ways

Setting

Louisiana castle and surrounding cliffs

Cast & Crew

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Director: Jesús Franco Writers: Edgar Allan Poe +2 more
Alberto Dalbés Alberto Dalbés Major Oliver Brooks ES Evelyne Scott Lady Marta Tobias William Berger William Berger Baron Simon Tobias Maribel Hidalgo Maribel Hidalgo Lady Cecilia Marian Lina Romay Lina Romay Rita Derian Vicente Roca Vicente Roca Inspector Bore Yelena Samarina Yelena Samarina Deborah Potts Antonio Mayans Antonio Mayans Alfred Marian Ángel Menéndez Ángel Menéndez Lord Archibald Marian Luis Barboo Luis Barboo Rufus Dan van Husen Dan van Husen Albert Pagan Jesús Franco Jesús Franco Andy SH Swan Heinze Mairu

Scene Gallery

Trailers & Clips

Questions from the Vault

What is Night of the Skull about? +

Night of the Skull is a 1974 Spanish crime, horror, mystery, and thriller film directed by Jesús Franco about a feuding family targeted by a masked killer during the reading of a will in a Louisiana castle.

When was Night of the Skull released? +

Night of the Skull was released in 1974.

Who directed Night of the Skull? +

Night of the Skull was directed by Jesús Franco.

How long is Night of the Skull? +

Night of the Skull has a runtime of 82 minutes.

What genre is Night of the Skull? +

Night of the Skull is a crime, horror, mystery, and thriller film.

Where can I watch Night of the Skull? +

You can watch Night of the Skull on SassyFlix.

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