Malpertuis (1971): cast, story & where to watch
1971 · Film · ★ 6.4
Released in 1971, Malpertuis is a fantasy, drama and horror film directed by Harry Kümel, running about 125 minutes. “If you expect to get out alive... you must be dreaming.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Malpertuis is the name of an old, rambling mansion which is in reality a labyrinth where characters from Greek mythology are imprisoned by the bedridden Cassavius. He manages to keep them, as well as his nephew and niece, prisoners even after his death, through a binding testament. As Jan, the nephew, unravels the mystery, he discovers that he cannot escape the house because Malpertuis is far more significant than he was led to believe.
Who’s in it. Malpertuis stars Orson Welles as Cassavius, Susan Hampshire as Nancy / Euryale / Alice / Nurse / Charlotte, Michel Bouquet as Charles Dideloo and Mathieu Carrière as Jan, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.4/10, Malpertuis has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In GB you can stream it on BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel and BFI Player Apple TV Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Malpertuis page.
If you liked it. Fans of Malpertuis tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Malpertuis (1971)?
- In GB, Malpertuis is available to stream on BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel and BFI Player Apple TV Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Malpertuis worth watching?
- Malpertuis holds an audience score of 6.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy, drama and horror. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Malpertuis?
- Malpertuis stars Orson Welles, Susan Hampshire, Michel Bouquet, Mathieu Carrière and Jean-Pierre Cassel.
- When was Malpertuis released?
- Malpertuis was released in 1971, with a runtime of about 125 minutes.