The Iron Rose (1973)

French auteur Jean Rollin predominately made movies about vampires (often of the lesbian variety), but with some exceptions. The personal odyssey Lost in New York, the stylish crime flick Sidewalks of Bangkok, pirate-themed revenge flick The Demoniaques, and today's film, The Iron Rose....

A man and woman meet for the first time, and their date leads them to a cemetery. While the girl is hesitant, the guy insists, and they soon lose track of time, and find themselves locked in after dark. The duo try and leave, but just can't find the exit. And soon the girl begins to act strangely, more and more hostile, until the man is frightened for his life, in a place of the dead...

The Iron Rose is a fascinating little picture. Shot primarily in the one location, with only two actors, and little actual story, it manages to enthrall the viewer, and with its almost dreamlike atmosphere it really captures a feeling of unknowable horror. It's a very subtle horror film, with no blood and no onscreen death to speak of, but it still manages to spook you out.

The majority of the movie takes place within the confines of a cemetery. This could run the risk of being boring. And Rollin himself certainly wasn't immune to such a thing either, as a couple of his films are more than just a bit on the slow side. But The Iron Rose is captivating the whole time. Not a single moment is boring, and the pace is very quick, with each scene making an impact.

While at first glance the characters seem like idiots for being unable to hug the fence for 5 minutes until they find the gate, it's effective how trapped they are in this cemetery. Maybe by mystical means. Perhaps a sinister force is keeping them in here, unable to find the exit. Also, if they did find the exit in 5 minutes, there'd be no movie.

The story is quite ambiguous. Is this girl mentally ill? Is it just the strain of the experience making her erratic? Or is there more than meets the eye? Perhaps external forces are messing with her mind...Or maybe she's part of the external forces! That alone shows the level of detail this movie has, and how such a simple plot can really grab your attention and make you think.

The Iron Rose manages to build up such an eerie atmosphere, all without showing a single monster, zombie, ghost, or vampire. The only menace is the girl herself, but due to the actions of the characters and the richness of the location, it feels as though we're surrounded by the dead

The dialogue here is very interesting and evocative. Never feeling pretentious, it's the kind of spooky poetry that leaves you interested, and wanting to know more. There's such an air of mystery.

The direction in The Iron Rose is stunning. So may shots are filmed with such a talented eye, with the highlight being the dizzying grave reach. The locations are brilliant too. The decaying train station is only used briefly, but looks fantastic, and really sets the mood, and the magic. The cemetery is most impressive though. With its grand tombs, endless rows of headstones, dilapidated fences, and overgrown plantlife, it has a life of its own.

The characters are an effective duo. We first properly meet them at the most typical French party ever, whereupon they go on a date together, and have a lot of fun. Pierre adores her quirkiness, and is entranced by her beauty. Unfortunately he really should've taken things slow, because she turns out to be crazy! If he'd instead taken her out to a restaurant, I bet her conversation would have gone something like this: "I know you're not meant to say this on a first date, but I really like you! I think I want to get engaged! And I want to move in! In fact I took the liberty of having a key made earlier."

Pierre is a bit of a dick for dragging the girl into this cemetery, and for insisting they go down into the crypt, but as the movie went on, I felt so sorry for him for having to deal with such a crazy date that I eventually forgave him for his earlier actions. Poor due just can't catch a break! The true moral of the story is, never go out on the first date!

The actors are the most important facet in a minimalistic movie such as this, and they do not disappoint. Francoise Pascal is great as both a playful and seductive minx, a hysterical girl, and a quietly insane dreamer. I was especially impressed since I know her from the sitcom Mind Your Language, where she is a completely different character. Hugues Quester is effective as the more levelheaded, yet simultaneously louder and angrier lead. His performance is also distinctive due to his very piercing eyes. The remainder of the cast is rounded up by Rollin regulars Natalie Perrey, Mireille Dargent, and Michel Delesalle, and the director himself, in a notable cameo.

The soundtrack here is often minimal, but extremely effective, and when it does ramp up you really feel it. It's something special. It has a very surreal and eerie tone to it, especially the weird choir bits.

The Iron Rose is perhaps one of Jean Rollin's best films! Not my favourite, but certainly up there, and if you're looking for a great place to start with his filmography and feel like going in at random, this is a great place to start. It contains everything you can expect from the director...