Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things

Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things 1972

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Plot Summary


As the theatre troupe embarks on their voyage to a mysterious island, the group’s director, Alan Ormsby, entices his “children” with spine-chilling tales of the island’s sinister history. Upon arrival, the excitement among the troupe reaches a fever pitch as they venture to a quaint cottage, where they anticipate an evening filled with celebration and enjoyment.

Yet, beneath this festive facade lies Alan’s true, nefarious agenda. As dusk settles, he adorns himself in a mystical robe and unveils a grimoire, setting the scene for a Satanic ritual designed to summon the dead. Initial skepticism cloaks the troupe, but as the clock strikes midnight, they witness a grotesque performance as Alan excavates the grave of Orville Dunworth (played by Seth Sklarey) and begins his incantation.

However, the results are beyond anyone’s wildest fears. While Alan’s initial intent may have seemed like a grotesque joke, his “children” are left with an unsettling feeling. Alan’s frustration is evident, but it quickly dissipates as the evening spirals downward. His cruelty takes center stage as he utilizes Orville’s lifeless body to entertain the troupe with macabre humor.

Just when the atmosphere could not seem any more horrid, a horrifying twist occurs—the dead begin to rise, their once-still bodies shambling towards the group with an insatiable hunger. Panic ensues as they find themselves cornered in the old house, grappling with the necessity of forging a plan to evade their relentless undead assailants.

In a surge of determination, the troupe devises a plan to lure the zombies toward the front of the house while Paul (portrayed by Paul Cronin) attempts to make a daring escape through the rear exit. However, fate has other designs; Paul is ambushed by an unyielding swarm, his screams echoing into the night as he succumbs to the very evil they sought to flee.

Amidst the growing despair, the remaining troupe members beseech the ancient tome, desperate to perform a spell that may banish the undead. Miraculously, their plea appears to bear fruit as the zombies begin to dissolve back into the forest, their lifeless forms dissipating like mist at dawn. However, in their frenzied haste, the group neglects to adhere to the sacred duty of reinterment for Orville’s remains, allowing his restless spirit to awaken yet again.

The repercussions are swift and harrowing: Jeff Gillen and Valerie Mamches fall prey to the inexorable horde, while Alan Ormsby and Anya Ormsby scramble back to the fleeting safety of the cottage. This sanctuary proves to be short-lived as the undead breach the door, their relentless pursuit chasing them upstairs.

In a desperate act meant to salvage his own life, Alan betrays Anya, offering her to the ravenous horde while he seeks refuge from their insistent chase. But solace is fleeting; retreating to the bedroom, he soon encounters Orville’s corpse, which ignites into a ghastly parody of life, fueled by a desire for revenge. With a brutal and merciless strike, Orville takes down Alan, who is soon surrounded by the ravenous undead.

As the credits roll, the camera beautifully pans out to reveal a mass of zombies overtaking Alan’s boat, their mindless moans mingling with the Miami breeze, with the city lights twinkling ominously like diamonds against the encroaching darkness.

Timeline


Departure for the Island

The theatre troupe, excited and eager, embarks on their journey to a mysterious island led by their director, Alan Ormsby. This voyage promises adventure, but little do they know of the sinister events awaiting them.

Theatre

Tales of Sinister History

As they sail towards the island, Alan captivates the troupe with spine-chilling tales about the island's dark past. His stories create an atmosphere of intrigue, hinting at the horrors that lie ahead.

On the boat

Arrival at the Cottage

Upon reaching the island, the troupe arrives at a quaint cottage, eager to celebrate and enjoy their new surroundings. They set the stage for a night filled with laughter and camaraderie.

Cottage

Unveiling the Grimoire

As night falls, Alan reveals his true intentions by adorning a mystical robe and unveiling a grimoire for a Satanic ritual. The troupe is skeptical but intrigued by the bizarre turn the evening has taken.

Dusk Cottage

The Grotesque Performance

At the stroke of midnight, Alan begins to perform a sinister act, digging up the grave of Orville Dunworth. The troupe witnesses this grotesque display, initially believing it to be part of the ritual.

Midnight Grave site near the cottage

Cruel Entertainment

What starts as a horrid joke turns into a chilling reality as Alan uses Orville's dead body for morbid humor. This dark turn leaves the troupe unsettled, as Alan's true cruelty begins to emerge.

Late night Cottage

Rising of the Dead

In a terrifying twist, the dead begin to rise from their graves, wandering towards the troupe with a hunger for flesh. Panic envelops the group as they realize they are in grave danger.

Night Cottage

Desperate Measures

As the undead close in, the remaining troupe members devise a frantic plan to lure the zombies to the front of the house. Meanwhile, Paul attempts a daring escape through the back, hoping to find safety.

Cottage

Paul's Demise

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Paul is ambushed by the relentless horde while trying to escape. His screams resonate in the night, marking a turning point in the group's desperate battle for survival.

Cottage

A Plea for Salvation

Determined to rid themselves of the undead menace, the troupe appeals to the ancient tome for a spell. Their desperate incantation appears to work as the zombies begin to dissolve, offering a glimmer of hope.

Cottage

The Awakening of Orville

In their haste to escape, the troupe forgets the sacred duty of reinterment for Orville’s remains. This oversight awakens his restless spirit once again, unleashing more horror upon the group.

Cottage

Betrayal and Despair

As the undead breach the cottage, Alan betrays Anya in a desperate attempt to save himself. This act of cowardice leads to a sense of despair as the group is pushed to their limits.

Cottage

Orville's Revenge

Retreating to the bedroom, Alan encounters Orville’s corpse, which comes back to life with a thirst for vengeance. In a ghastly turn of events, Orville attacks Alan, leading to a vicious end.

Cottage Bedroom

The Undead Invasion

As the credits roll, the camera pans out to show the overwhelming number of zombies overtaking Alan's boat. Their moans mix eerily with the Miami breeze, signifying an impending doom for the city.

Alan's boat

Characters


Alan Ormsby

Alan is the malevolent director who orchestrates the troupe's descent into horror. Driven by a desire for control and spectacle, his character shifts from a charismatic leader to a self-serving antagonist. His actions propel the plot into chaos as he experiments with dark forces without regard for the safety of his 'children'.

🎭 Director 👻 Manipulative

Anya Ormsby

Anya is caught between loyalty and survival, torn by her trust in Alan and the escalating terror their situation evokes. Her character embodies the role of a victim who ultimately faces the true horrors of betrayal. Her fate reveals the dire consequences of naive loyalty when confronted with malevolence.

🎭 Victim 🌀 Torn

Paul

Paul is one of the troupe members who exhibits bravery amidst the unraveling chaos. His decision to escape highlights the human instinct for survival but ultimately leads to tragedy. He represents those who confront evil but are overpowered by forces they cannot comprehend.

💪 Brave 😔 Tragic

Jeff Gillen

Jeff is another troupe member swept into the horrifying events, illustrating the group's growing desperation as they face the undead threat. His character adds depth to the ensemble, portraying the varying reactions to crisis within the group dynamic. His fate serves as a cautionary tale woven into the story.

😱 Fearful 🎭 Ensemble

Valerie Mamches

Valerie is part of the theatre troupe and faces the chilling adversities along with her friends. Her role enhances the sense of camaraderie among the group, yet also symbolizes the fragility of life when entangled in supernatural horrors. Her demise is a reflection of the group's misplaced trust in Alan.

🎭 Comrade ⚰️ Fragile

Setting


Time period

The movie has a contemporary setting, where modern themes intertwine with traditional horror elements. As night falls, fears amplify, showcasing a blend of festive anticipation and the looming threat of the supernatural.

Location

mysterious island, quaint cottage

The mysterious island serves as the eerie backdrop for a chilling theatre troupe's adventure, known for its sinister history that fuels Alan's dark intentions. The quaint cottage, where much of the horror unfolds, is an old structure with a festive exterior that contrasts sharply with the grotesque events taking place within.

🏝️ Island 🏡 Cottage

Themes


💀

Death

Death is a central theme that drives the plot, appearing through the summoning of the dead and the resulting chaos. The film explores the consequences of meddling with life and death, ultimately illustrating how unresolved souls can disrupt the living. Alan's dark obsession with death transforms celebration into horror.

🕯️

Betrayal

Betrayal manifests dramatically as Alan sacrifices Anya to save himself, reflecting the darkest aspects of human nature under duress. The betrayal is not only personal but also extends to the group's trust in the folly of their leader. This theme is embodied during the harrowing moments as survival instincts clash with human morality.

🌌

Supernatural

The supernatural elements surface through Alan's dark rituals and the rising of the undead. This evokes a sense of dread and highlights humanity’s frail grasp over the forces beyond comprehension. The blurring lines between life and death magnify the horror and underscore the consequences of spiritual tampering.

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