MovieChat Forums > Madhouse (1974) Discussion > My thoughts on the ending

My thoughts on the ending

posted 11 years ago by Mikel3
9 replies | jump to latest

I think Price's character actually turned into Dr. Death at the end. It makes sense combined with his dialog about it. How else could he have just walked off the screen when Cushing was watching the final death scene? That was supernatural. He did not rip the movie screen apart as if he was behind it as the girl did at the party near the beginning on New Years Eve. He actually stepped out of the movie projection and right into the room and reality with Cushing. Then he used the makeup to look like Cushing so he could continue making films as him and take over his life. Dr. Death was the creation of both men and now he had become them both.

[–] blackswan50 11 years ago

yep

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] carters6 10 years ago

I just watched this for the first time and I have to say I really like your explanation of the ending, Mikel3. I just figured while Cushing was rubbing his eyes watching Price walk toward the camera that Price appeared from behind the screen by the time Cushing looked up again. I like your interpretation-makes it more interesting! LOL.

SC

[–] Mikel3 10 years ago

Thank you, Carter6.

[–] Disardor 10 years ago

I don't think so. Herbert closes his eyes as he's watching the film of Paul's death, at which point when he opens eyes Paul is standing there. So I don't doubt that Herbert thought Paul literally came back to life from out of the film but in reality he simply faked his death.

[–] Mikel3 10 years ago

That's not the way I remember the scene, Disardor. And, more came after to support my interpretation. And he did step right out of the screen.

[–] Rainey-Dawn 9 years ago

I own this film and watching that scene --Herbert (Cushing) had tired eyes he kept rubbing them while watching the film. Paul (Price) faked his death... he was hiding in the shadows and stepped in front of the screen so it created the illusion that Paul (Price) stepped right out of the screen and into the room with Herbert (Cushing).

It's excellent filming and directing (not to mention the acting) that created the illusion that Paul appeared to step off the screen and into the room - there's nothing supernatural about it. Paul faked his death in order to get answers from Herbert.

"I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me." ~ The Invisible Man

[–] Wombstar 9 years ago

I thought Peter might have just imagined it.

[–] curtk 9 years ago

Yes, that's the way I had interpreted it. Peter (Flay) caused all this death, then he went mad, believing that Vincent (Toombes) came out of the film, killed him, and then took over his persona. In that way, he could really be Dr. Death, as he wanted.

I don't think that Vincent (Toombes) could have faked his own death. First, throughout the movie, he displayed that he had mental health issues over the character. That leads me to think that he really died, as faking his own death would take a great deal of planning. He would have to have another body available to take his place, among other things.

However, I like Mikel3's view, too. Both are creepy interpretations. Does anyone know if there is an official explanation of the ending?