Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #20 November 2015 | Page 55

complements the central theme of the film; the victory
of entropy over everything else.
Each of the protagonists creates a distinct
world-view, one that drives their actions. Prospero
thinks that by declaring God to be dead and creating
an Id-driven, solipsistic universe with Satan at the
centre, he has achieved insight into mankind’s place
in the world as a passion-driven animal. Francesca
clings to a fuzzy notion of a God of Love, although,
as she admits when Prospero tries to engage her in
a philosophical discussion, ‘she has no knowledge.’
Her belief is the faith of the innocent. Or, as Prospero
obviously believes, the common herd. Gino and
Ludovico, focus on a more relationship-centred world,
one in which the bonds of friendship, family and
honour will win out over the immoral world of the
lonely Prince Prospero. Juliana has made Prospero the
centre of her universe, doing anything, even risking
her soul, to gain his approval. Prospero’s various
sycophants are followers, doing whatever degrading
acts he commands, whether for safety, wealth or, in
the case of Alfredo, the license to indulge one’s animal
instincts.

attempts to define existence. Although ostensibly
a personification of Death, a more accurate
interpretation is to see it as the force of universal
entropy. The Red Death not only brings an end to
life; it crushes belief and reveals the universe to be a
blank slate, one that we all imprint meaning on; but
all meaning is ultimately pointless. In the end, the Red
Death–the lack of meaning and the force of entropy–is
the only truth.
It is the sophistication of theme and
presentation that makes Masque such an impressive
film. Beautifully filmed with vibrant colours, a
disturbing soundtrack, impressive sets for a film of
this budget (recycled from the film Beckett) and an
effective cast–without this thematic sophistication,
it would be intellectually empty. Instead, it is a
brooding meditation on the meaning of all things, one
that rewards the careful viewer with a provocative
examination wrapped in the trappings of a moderatelybudgeted period horror movie.

The Red Death wipes away all of these

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Highly Recommend.