Expert: Popcorn Guy - 10/31/2007

Question
This movie is about a young woman who along with her boyfriend (husband?) go to some estate (possibly in England judging from the cars and countryside) where she and some other people were mysteriously invited, and in some private room of the house, a very old sorcerer/warlock, the owner "lord" of the estate, is on his deathbed with all sorts of medical equipment around him, but since he's dying, he seeks to pass his occult/satanic power and authority on to one of the invited guests, in this case, the young woman...who also has a very close resemblance to a woman in a painting on the wall.

The husband gets concerned as he becomes suspicious of things that are happening and how his wife (?) is changing or being influenced by the evil going on there, so he decided they should try to escape. He and she get into the estate's car (a Rolls Royce) to escape said estate but they drive in circles in the local area around the estate, unable to find their way out to freedom (to the main road leading out of there) so he finally gives up...and the car ends up driving itself (?) back to the estate. They can't leave. She ends up being "the chosen" one and inherits the old guy's power and estate, and is the now "mistress" (chief witch) of the place and of the servants, who accept her as their employer and "new boss of evil." Also in the film, if this helps any, a woman is killed in the indoor swimming pool (unless this is from another film) when swimming alone at night, something like a large glass "cover" is conjured up and put over the water so she can't come up for air and drowns.

Anyway, at the very end, as I said, the young woman (from America?) is the new "head witch" and her husband, all along against the idea, is seen finally to accept it all and her being chosen to carry on her predecessor's occultic rule, and he stays there with her.

I believe the man and woman (the couple) were well-known American actors back then, I just can't recall them. Maybe it was filmed on location in England...not sure.

Thanks for any identification,

-- John D.


Answer
Hi, John...

You're looking for "The Legacy." It starred Katherine Ross and Sam Elliott, and was made in 1978... Roger Daltrey, of The Who, was also in it.... most everyone remembers this film for the death in the pool, but there are some more memorable "deaths", too... death by mirror explosion, being burned to death and fed to the estate dogs, etc... you can find this movie on Ebay or Amazon pretty easily... I got my copy for about $7...

Hope this helps,

PCG