The Pyx

The Pyx

Infobox Film
name =The Pyx
director =Harvey Hart
producer =Julian Hoffman
starring =Karen Black
Christopher Plummer
music =Harry Freedman (music)
Karen Black (vocals)
cinematography =Rene Verzier
editing =Ron Wisman
released =flagicon|CANSeptember 13, 1973
flagicon|USAOctober 1973
runtime =108 min.
country =CAN
language = English
French
budget =$1,000,000 (estimated, Canadian)
imdb_id =0070578

The Pyx (also known as The Hooker Cult Murders and La Lunule) is a 1973 Canadian horror film starring Karen Black and Christopher Plummer. It is based on the 1959 book of the same title, written by Montreal author, John Buell.

ynopsis

While investigating a woman's death, a detective in the city of Montreal, enters the world of prostitution, drug addiction, conspiracy, and the occult.

Plot

A motorist witnesses a woman falling or jumping from a tenement building. Police arrive on the scene and find a crucifix and a small metal container (a pyx). As the investigation continues, it is revealed that the dead woman is Elizabeth Lucy, a prostitute and heroin addict. Suspects in Elizabeth's death are soon murdered one by one, and evidence of occult ritual begins to surface, leading to a confrontation with a cult leader who may be possessed by Satan himself.

Plot devices

The Pyx is told in after Elizabeth's death/before Elizabeth's death sequence which alternates until the film's climax.

Cast

* Karen Black as Elizabeth Lucy
* Christopher Plummer as Det. Sgt. Jim Henderson
* Donald Pilon as Det. Sgt. Pierre Paquette
* Jean-Louis Roux as Keerson
* Yvette Brind'amour as Meg
* Jacques Godin as Superintendent
* Lee Broker as Herbie Lafram
* Terry Haig as Jimmy
* Robin Gammell as Worther
* Louise Rinfret as Sandra

Production

Filming of The Pyx began August 24, 1972, and was completed October 2, 1972. It was filmed in Montreal, Canada, and includes much French dialog, alongside the main dialog in English. Harvey Hart handled directorial duties, with René Verzier as cinematographer, and Julian Hoffman as producer. Ron Wisman was responsible for editing the film.

Music

Music for The Pyx was provided by Harry Freedman, with actress Karen Black lending her vocal talents. This resulted in an eerie, haunting musical score which lent itself well to the atmosphere of the film.

atanism

The Satanism portrayed in "The Pyx", both in the 1959 novel and the 1973 movie adaptation, reflects the traditional attitude towards Satanism found in French literature such as the 1891 novel Là-Bas. Likewise, the Black Mass sequence in the film is of the traditional Roman Catholic variety, as described in French literature on Satanism. Thus the novel and movie fit in well with the French Roman Catholic environment of Montreal at the time.

External links

*imdb title|0070578


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Trial of the Pyx — The Trial of the Pyx is the procedure in the United Kingdom for ensuring that newly minted coins conform to required standards. Trials have been held from the twelfth century to the present day, normally once per calendar year; the form of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Trial of the pyx — Pyx Pyx, n. [L. pyxis a box, Gr. pyxi s a box, especially of boxwood, fr. py xos the box tree or boxwood. See {Box} a receptacle.] [Written also {pix}.] 1. (R. C. Ch.) The box, case, vase, or tabernacle, in which the host is reserved. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • trial of the pyx — the annual assay of the coins in the British mint that have been placed in the pyx * * * trial of the pyx 1. Trial by weight and assay of gold and silver coins by a jury of goldsmiths 2. The periodic official testing of sterling coinage • • •… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Pyx — • Small vessel in which the Holy Eucharist is carried to the sick. Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Pyx     Pyx     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Pyx — Pyx, n. [L. pyxis a box, Gr. pyxi s a box, especially of boxwood, fr. py xos the box tree or boxwood. See {Box} a receptacle.] [Written also {pix}.] 1. (R. C. Ch.) The box, case, vase, or tabernacle, in which the host is reserved. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pyx cloth — Pyx Pyx, n. [L. pyxis a box, Gr. pyxi s a box, especially of boxwood, fr. py xos the box tree or boxwood. See {Box} a receptacle.] [Written also {pix}.] 1. (R. C. Ch.) The box, case, vase, or tabernacle, in which the host is reserved. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • PYX —    the name of a cup shaped, gold lined vessel, with lid, used in the Roman Catholic churches for containing the eucharistic elements after their consecration either for adoration in the churches or for conveying to sick rooms. Pyx means box.… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Pyx — Pyx, v. t. To test as to weight and fineness, as the coins deposited in the pyx. [Eng.] Mushet. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pyx — This article refers to an object used in Christian church services. For the British coinage procedure, see Trial of the Pyx. Pyx is also the abbreviation for the constellation Pyxis. A pyx or pix (Latin: pyxis , transliteration of Greek: pyxis ,… …   Wikipedia

  • pyx — /piks/, n. 1. Eccles. a. the box or vessel in which the reserved Eucharist or Host is kept. b. a watch shaped container for carrying the Eucharist to the sick. 2. Also called pyx chest. a box or chest at a mint, in which specimen coins are… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”