10 Scariest Horror Movies Set During World War II
5. The Keep
The Keep is a tricky entry. On the surface, it's the perfect concoction of atmospheric creepiness and intriguing narrative.
Based on a New York Times Best Seller, SS soldiers in a Romanian castle are viciously picked off by an unknown, evil entity. They decide to bring in a Jewish historian to put an end to the slaughter. The second theatrical debut for Michael Mann and starring Ian McKellen, the film should have been a smash-hit.
Yet despite all these qualities, The Keep suffered from a blighted production. Originally meant to be 210 minutes long, Paramount cut the film down to 95 minutes, leading to confusing plot lines and nonsensical character motives. The visual effects coordinator died in post-production, leaving the film crew scratching their heads about how the final climactic battle was actually meant to be produced.
Unfortunately, The Keep bombed hard, but that hasn't stopped a dedicated cult following rising from the ashes.
While the odds for a full re-release are basically zero, The Keep still has some redeeming qualities in its hour-and-a-half state, including spectacularly spooky set design and hauntingly exquisite music, thanks to German electronic music band Tangerine Dream.