The Legacy

Cast: Sam Elliott, Katherine Ross, and Roger Daltrey

Director: Richard Marquand

100 minutes (18) 1978

Powerhouse (Indicator)

Blu-ray region B

[Released 29th July]

Rating: 5/10

Review by Emily Webb  

Better known for featuring Sam Elliott’s bare bottom than for its cinematic quality, The Legacy was an adequate attempt at modern horror, after The Exorcist (1973), and The Omen (1976). Written by Jimmy Sangster, a veteran of Hammer films, The Legacy should have been better. Real-life couple Sam Elliott (Hulk) and Katharine Ross (The Stepford Wives) play architects Pete Danner and Maggie Walsh, who travel to the UK on an assignment (and starring in this film together led to the stars’ eventual marriage). When they have a motorbike crash in the country, they are taken in by Jason Mountolive, a mysterious millionaire, to a lavish country manor to recuperate. The mystery deepens when it turns out that the other guests at the manor have been expecting them...

A mystery horror, The Legacy starts with promise - a stately mansion, house-guests, and a mysterious reason for them all being present - but, sadly, it degenerates. It is a bizarre ‘old school’ British horror that features an ex-Nazi, a spooky nurse, and a mysterious and evil master of the house who turns out to be evil. Richard Marquand made his feature film debut with this, and went on to direct Star Wars: The Return Of The Jedi (1983), only to die shortly after its release.

Predictably, the house-guests are picked off one by one and it becomes clear that Maggie is wanted by the villain to fulfil a diabolic legacy. This film is also known as The Legacy Of Maggie Walsh (in its edited TV version), which gives a fairly big clue as to who survives the carnage at the English manor. Satisfyingly, an appalling Roger Daltrey dies when he chokes during a meal and fails to survive a gruesome tracheotomy. Elliott is particularly good looking (I love that moustache), and his nude shower scene is a highlight of the film, albeit unnecessary. The title song, Another Side Of Me, is performed by Kiki Dee and gives the film a suitably cheesy feel.

Overall, The Legacy is a disappointing film but there is enough to sustain viewer interest through the plot and atmosphere. There are a few action-packed scenes, including one where Maggie and Peter attempt to escape the estate on horseback, and this allows Elliott to do what he does best: be a brawling, manly, cowboy-type of guy. The music accompanying the action is reminiscent of a Charlie’s Angels episode.

Extras:

• Re-mastered in HD for limited edition Blu-ray
• Between The Hammer And The Anvil (1973) - Marquand’s acclaimed documentary short film, made for the Central Office of Information, about the Liverpool police force
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Julian Upton, an overview of contemporary critical responses, archival articles, and film credits
• Image gallery
• Trailers