EL FANTASMA DEL CONVENTO (1934) - A CHFB Filmbook in Foreign Horror Forum

EL FANTASMA DEL CONVENTO (1934) - A CHFB Filmbook

Author	Comment
GaryP11111	EL FANTASMA DEL CONVENTO (1934) - A CHFB Filmbook	Lead	[-]
Jun 3 08 7:51 PM Burgomaster More My Recent Posts	Chapter 1 - The Mysterious Stranger and the Monastery of Silence Alfonso, Cristina and Eduardo are an attractive trio who find themselves lost in the Mexican countryside after dark. When we first meet them, Cristina and Alfonso are helping Cristina's husband Eduardo out of a gully, an act symbolic of the alliance that threatens to come between Eduardo and his wife. Throughout much of the film, the body language between Alfonso and Cristina suggest a developing romantic bond. Cristina often walks closer to Alfonso than she does her husband, even taking Alfonso's arm at times. She seems drawn to Alfonso's nature, which is as adventurous as Eduardo's is cautious. Eduardo, Cristina and Alfonso While they contemplate their situation, Alfonso recalls that there is an abandoned monastery in the area. Suddenly, a voice from behind catches them off guard. The trio turns to find a tall, gaunt figure cloaked in black, looking not unlike Murder Legendre - even wearing a similar black hat. He is accompanied by a large hound. A Surprised Trio The Stranger in Black The Hellish Hound He will take them to the Monastery of Silence. Eduardo reluctantly goes along as the others follow the mysterious guide. As the stranger stops to point out the bell tower on the horizon, his hound bays at the distant monastery. Eduardo displays some anxiety about going further. Though he his reticent, he continues along with the others. Shall We Follow Him? Led to the Monastery The Monastery of Silence When they arrive at the huge, imposing wooden doors of the monastery, the man in black speaks a few words and Alfonso knocks on one of the doors. As the sound reverberates inside, the trio turns to find the mysterious man and hound have vanished. While they stare at the spot where the man once stood, a pair of wide-open eyes peers at them through a grate in the door. Slowly the door opens - its ancient hinges moan with disapproval. The trio looks back and is startled to find a solitary monk, robed and hooded, standing in the doorway. He speaks to them in a soft monotone. They are cautioned not to ask questions of the brothers of the Monastery of Silence. Eduardo urges the others not to go in. But Alfonso and Cristina enter the monastery as the ever-cautious Eduardo hesitates. Nevertheless, as the others disappear inside, he follows. The Monastery Door Someone is Coming! Staring Eyes! Welcome . . .But Please Obey the Rules The monk leads them to room that is decorated with fading religious frescoes and artifacts. After the monk leaves them, they examine their surroundings and notice among the furnishings a large, heavily constructed armoire leaning precariously forward. Alfonso tilts the armoire back and replaces the wooden block that once held it in place. As the trio turns their collective attention to the room's other contents they are startled by the reappearance of the monk. The Waiting Room Checking Out the Surroundings He gestures for them to follow him and as they leave the room Eduardo looks back to find that once again the armoire is leaning dangerously forward, the wood block having been mysteriously moved aside. The Mysterious Armoire End of Chapter 1 *Stay tuned for Chapter 2 "Strange Happenings . . ."* GARY L. PRANGE "Sic gorgiamus allos subjectos nunc." Check out my YouTube Video of the Week! (updated 8-3-09) Last Edited By: GaryP11111 Jun 6 08 7:29 PM. Edited 2 times.
GaryP11111		#1	[-]
Jun 6 08 7:30 PM Burgomaster More My Recent Posts	Chapter 2 - Strange Happenings Alfonso, Eduardo and Cristina are led through a long corridor. They approach the open door to a cell that reveals upon a wall the shadow of a bearded, penitent monk. A ghastly, quavering moan accompanies each lash of the flail as the monk flagellates himself. Just as the group is about to pass the monk's cell, their guide closes its door, intercepting the trio's curiosity. They continue upstairs to yet another corridor where large tapestries line the walls. Each is shown to his or her own chamber containing spartan accommodations. The only comfort is a candle and a stone slab with a uselessly thin mattress and pillow. The Penitent Monk Curiosity Interrupted Led to Their Rooms Eduardo's Chamber After the monk retires, Alfonso visits Eduardo in his cell where they converse about their strange circumstances. When Alfonso leaves, a waiting Cristina calls him to her door. She coyly urges Alfonso to enter her cell, but just as he is about to submit to temptation, he spots a passing monk. Spooked by the sudden appearance of a holy man, Alfonso decides to follow the monk; he attempts to speak to the monk but is ignored. Another monk emerges from a corridor and Alfonso is again snubbed; obviously both monks have taken a vow of silence. Frustrated, Alfonso decides to explore the monastery. Cristina Calls to Alfonso Alfonso is Tempted Alfonso Explores the Monastery ... A Night of Shadows ... To Where Does This Corridor Lead? His wandering eventually brings him to a monk's chamber where a large, crude wooden cross bars the door -- a door, which has not been opened for a very long time. Above the cross hewn from timbers is a sign in Latin: MALEDICTVS QVI DEVM VOLVPTATIBYS AMITIIT (Cursed is he who through flesh, forgets God). Suddenly Alfonso hears the anguished sobbing of a man inside. As he presses against the door to listen, a pale, thin hand touches his shoulder. Alfonso looks up to find a monk slowly gesturing for him to move on. As he does so, the monk stands before the door with arms outstretched. Though he doesn't speak, the message is clear. The chamber with the cross barring the door is off limits. What Have We Here? The Cross Barring the Chamber Door A Cursed Room? A Thin, Pale Hand ... You Do Not Belong Here A Furtive Look Back Meanwhile, Eduardo chats with his wife Cristina in his cell. As he speaks, a look of terror crosses Cristina's face. Eduardo, noticing her fearful expression, turns to look in the same direction - his eyes widen. There upon the wall is the shadow of a bat. Eduardo walks over to the shadow and moves his hand behind it. Looking back to see what might be causing the horrid silhouette he finds nothing. Returning to Cristina, Eduardo picks up the candle that is the only source of light in the room and moves it to and fro, but it has no impact on the black shadow on the wall. Suddenly, before their eyes, the shadow begins to slowly dissolve, seemingly seeping back into the wall. Alarmed by what they witnessed, they rush from the cell. Cristina Sees a Fearful Sight Ed Sees It, Too The Shadow of a Bat! But What is Casting the Shadow? How Can This Be? Ed Tests the Shadow with a Candle Flame The Shadow Slowly Dissolves Eduardo and Cristina quickly meet up with Alfonso in a corridor. As Alfonso tells them about his experiences, Eduardo suggests they leave the monastery. Soon, they discover stairs leading downward; they follow the steps to a dark crypt where they find fourteen empty, decaying coffins leaning upright against the dank, mottled walls. Eduardo wants to leave, but Alfonso, typically, wants to examine the coffins. But before he can have a good look at the brittle caskets, the talking monk who first greeted them that night appears at the foot of the steps. He asks that they come with him to meet the prior of the monastery. Looking for a Way Out Where Do These Stairs Lead? What Place is This? The Crypt! . . . Investigating the Empty Coffins The Trio Follow the Monk Out of the Crypt End of Chapter 2 Stay Tuned for Chapter 3, "The Cursed Chamber." GARY L. PRANGE "Sic gorgiamus allos subjectos nunc." Check out my YouTube Video of the Week! (updated 8-3-09) Last Edited By: GaryP11111 Jun 6 08 10:43 PM. Edited 7 times.