 In the weird circle. In this cave, by the restless sea, we are met to call from out the past stories, strange, and weird. Bellkeeper, pull the bell, so all may know we are gathered again in the weird circle. Speak again, the immortal tale, the fall of the House of Usher. This is the history of the House of Usher. I am leaving it as my last will and testament because before this year is over, the cavernous tarn will close over the gables of our decadent home. It was written by our ancestors many years ago that when the rains are blood-red, the House of Usher will crumble to the earth. There are three members of the Usher family living, two in direct descent, the Lady Madeline and her twin brother Roderick. I was engaged to marry Roderick long before I knew my cousin. It is the custom for the Usher family to intermarry. The Lady Madeline has been confined to bed these many weeks, waiting for death, waiting for the last days of her life to pass quietly. I have so little time left, Roderick. I must see Charles before I die. Charles Wilson is tied up in London on business. He can't come down here every time you have a whim to see him. This is no whim. It's just a matter of days before I... Don't be impatient with me. Sister, please. Afraid of the truth, Roderick? You've always been afraid of me. I can read your mind so easily. Look at me, brother. Let's not argue again. You've always wanted me to die. You've waited for it year after year, praying and hoping that I die, leaving you free to inherit the house and the fortune. But you'll be fooled. Look. Look at the rain. Are you speaking? It's the fever. Fever or not, the rain is turning red, isn't it? Yes, it seems that way at times. Each day it will be redder and redder and darker and... Madeline. Afraid, brother. Are you afraid of blood-red rains? The doctor said you should have rest and quiet. You weaken yourself when you're excited. Where's Dina? I don't know. I'm not her keeper. She's probably buried in that romantic nonsense that she reads. Every girl likes to read romantic stories, Rod. Heaven help her when she becomes your wife. Call her for me, will you? Her doctor's orders were that you're not to be disturbed. Call her, Rod. Do as I say. For your own good, I... I will get even with you someday. Dina. Dina. Dina. Madeline. Call me, lady Madeline. Yes, Dina, Charles. Come here, my dear. Is there something I can do for you? Yes. I want to see Charles Wilson before... before I die. I told you he was busy, Madine. Tell Talbot to hitch up a coach in Ford, Dina. Go to London tonight. Tell Charles... I must see him right away. Bring him back with you. I'll not have Dina go out in this weather. Dina, please go. Don't listen to Rod. Do this for me. I will not have strangers dragged into our family secrets. Charles Wilson is no stranger. He's the only one who knows the secret of the house of Usher. I don't like leaving you, cousin. The doctor will be here shortly. Hurry, my dear, and bring Charles back. I forbid it, Dina. If I don't see Charles tonight, I'll be buried alive. Not able to live. Not able to die. Dear, we'll never get through to London tonight, Mum. Not in this weather. Not in a million years. It ain't a night for humans to be a bat. The lady Madine is dying. The least we can do is grant her her last wish. Dina! Dina! Quickly, Talbot, before Lord Rick tries to catch up with us. Dina, did you hear me call you? Yes, I heard you, cousin. I tried to protect you, child, because I love you. I don't want any harm to come to my future wife. Please, Rod. Why do you turn for me when I touch you? I don't know. Afraid of me? Answer me, Dina. Are you afraid of me? Yes. Don't you love me once? That was before we returned to the house of Osher. Then you're going anyway? Yes, Rod Rick, for Madeline's sake. Are you ready, Mum? Yes, Talbot ready. We'll be back by midnight, Rod Rick. All right, cousin. Or else the lady Madeline might not live long enough to get her last wish. Did she leave, Rod Rick? Yes. Madeline, why don't you confide in me? Why must you call in strangers when you know how it humiliates me? I can't trust you, Rod Rick. Ever since we were children, you've kept one secret from me. What is that secret, Madeline? That's one thing you'll never weedle out of me. What is that secret, Maddie? Leave me alone, brother. I'm ill. You're dying, Madeline. I know you're dying. A secret won't do you any good. Now, what is it? Please, Rod Rick. Tell me, Madeline, or you won't live to die the way you think you will. Tell me, or by heaven I'll force it out of you. This is his house, Mum. Thank you, Talbot. Mr. Wilson, is he here? Yes, sir. What are you doing in London? The lady Madeline sent me. Heaven's child, your clothes are dressed. Come on in. We haven't time, Charles. Madeline wants to see you at once. Please come with me right away. The doctor doesn't think she'll live through the night. Madeline? She's been ill for months. Charles, you wouldn't know her anymore. Why didn't you let me know before this? Rod Rick wouldn't let me. Rod Rick? But why? I can't explain now, Charles. Tell me once. Talbot's waiting outside. I'm frightened for Madeline. We've got to be back by midnight. You came in time, doctor. Lady Usher, you shouldn't allow your brother to excite you. There's a cruel streak in him at times. Surprisingly like my grandfather. What time is it? Midnight. Here, drink this. It will give you strength. I can't move. Madeline against me. There. Dr. Bain, you've attended all my family, haven't you? Yes, Lady Usher. You've been closer to us than almost anyone. If I ask you for an honest answer, would you give it to me? That depends on the question. How much longer have I to live? Years, my dear. No, doctor. I want an honest answer. Please. It's imperative that I know. I don't know really, my dear. Hurry, Talbot. Please, hurry. I'm going as fast as the horses can go, mum. Faster, Talbot. We won't accomplish anything at all if you lose self-control. I'm sorry, Charles, but I thought Madeline and Roderick were as close as brothers and sisters could possibly be. They were until about a year ago. What caused the change? Well, I'd been living at the house of Usher for about four months, and Roderick suddenly became nervous, jumpy. He'd locked himself up in his room for days. He was morbid, frightfully morbid. Sounds like an impression of spirit. Oh, it went deeper than that. Madeline fell ill at the same time. And then the horrible reddish rains began to fall. The first day those rains began to fall, the rift between Madeline and Roderick widened. Until now, their hate is a living thing. It fills the house. They seem to be battling constantly for possession of each other's soul. Charles, look. Look ahead. There's the house. And the rain. Look at the rain. Yes. Red rain. Charles, do come in. We've been waiting for you. It's good to see you again, Rubrik. Come in, Dina. Don't stand there staring at me. It's been a long time since I've last seen you, Rod. Yes, sir. A long time. Let me take your coat, Charles. I'll hang it up. Thank you, dear. My sister's waiting, Charles. You'd better go right up. Yes, sir. Of course. I'd better warn you. Madeline's delirious. She doesn't quite know what she's saying. Sometime. Rod, why don't you come up with me? She expressed her desire to see you alone. I'm so glad you came. I had to see you alone. Madeline, don't try to sit up. You'll only weaken yourself. Sit over here, Charles, next to me. You're the only person I can trust, and you must promise to do exactly as I say. Of course, of course. Remember what I told you years ago. Remember about Rodrik and me. I told you then that he and I were more than twins. Well, that was just childish fancy. I wish to God it were. But those suspicions have all been proven these last few months. We're only one person. Not two. We have two earthly bodies. But we share one soul. And Charles and I were born. Our shoulders were attached. The day of our birth, we were separated. Well, that doesn't necessarily mean you share one soul. I've never been able to feel anything for myself. His thoughts are my thoughts. His tears are my tears. His weaknesses are mine. Don't you understand, Charles? Are you sure of this, Madeline? Positive. His mind has the initiative. He doesn't respond to my emotions. Because I had none. None. I'm cold without him. Won't you see my earthly body is wasting away? But my soul is not my own. As long as he's alive, Charles, the power of his life will keep me living. Madeline, you mustn't even think of it. Oh, it's true, though. I'll have a living death. I'll be buried alive. Unable to live. Unable to die. Madeline. That's why I called you here. Promise me now, Charles. You'll never allow my coffin to be sealed. Keep my body in this house. You must rest, Madeline. Stop talking. Do you promise, Charles? Promise. Yes, yes, of course I do. Don't tell Roderick, Charles, ever. He'll seal me and my tomb alive. Madeline, my dear. Every model is entitled his own soul. If I can't rest in death, I'll return from the grave and take him with me. You promised, Charles. You won't forget it. My promise is my word. What are you doing standing outside this door, Roderick? Tina. Madeline, I see Charles in privacy. Why do you insist on spying on your own sister? Shut up. I can't understand you, Roderick. How many things you can't understand, Tina? Come with me downstairs. Let me go! To the ring room. I'd like to go with you. I'd like to go in and tell Madeline that you are spying on her again. Tell her if you wish. She's a poor, sick thing. I'm unable to lift her arm against me. I don't know how I ever loved you. You'll learn to again after we're married. I hate you, Roderick Usher. I'll never marry you. I... Roderick! Roderick, what's the matter? Pain inside me crawling like bourbon. Help me, Tina. Of course. Roderick! Tina! Beside your bed. You're dead, Madeline. Dead. Two people fought for the possession of one soul and you've lost. You'd try to drag me to the grave with you, but you're weaker than I, Madeline. You'll never return. Never. And that was her last request, doctor. It's a peculiar request, Mr. Wilson. I know it is, doctor, but it was the lady Madeline's last wish. Oh, Roderick. What are you doing here? Taking a last look at my beloved sister's face. Oh. Doctor, I'm not quite sure that the lady Madeline is dead. Look at the flush of life in her cheeks. Stop speaking like a fool, Charles. Look for yourself, Roderick. What are you trying to do? Frighten me? No. I've asked the doctor to verify her death. In cases of this kind, Mr. Wilson, death from catalypse, eh? The deceased often retains a life like flush, which is merely symptomatic. Nothing supernatural about it. Of course she's dead. Isn't she, doctor? However, if you feel the slightest doubt... No doubt at all. I'd suggest delaying the burial for a week or two. As a nearest of kin, I want the funeral held at once. She'll be laid to rest in the family catacombs beneath the house. Roderick, I gave her my word. Your word isn't valid. You're not one of the family. But it was my word of honor. Don't mix in family affairs, Charles. But the least you can do is grant her last wish, Roderick. This is nonsense. The dead are best buried. But, Rod, your own sister... No. As the doctor in the case, I don't feel justified in making out a death certificate for two weeks. The Lady Madeline will lie in state in her coffin in the catacombs. The coffin will remain open. For 30 years, these catacombs have been unused. Look at the walls, Deena. Time has entrusted them with nighter. It's cold in here. Cold and damp. Let's take the coffin this way, Talbot. Watch out, Charles. Don't fall. Be careful. Catacombs have always been soft with slime and nighter. Hard to breathe in here at times, isn't it? Where's the room, Roderick? Ahead. At the end of the corridor. Are you positive we can keep a fire burning in there? Yes, Charles. Talbot. Yes, sir? Did you start the fire? Oh, yes, sir. I did that early this morning. The room ought to be warm by now, sir. Talbot's a dependable man. He starts warm fires to bring life. To death. Roderick, how can you act like that? Your own sister. Yes, my own dear beloved sister. Hey, Charles, look ahead of you. Tiny room at the end of the corridor. The fire is blazing. Careful. Careful with the casket. We'll place it on the table. Send her in the room. All right, sir. We can place it down. Yes. Yes, Talbot. Down there. Rest in peace, sir. And it shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord giveth, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Yes, ma'am. Why, ma'am, what are you doing up at this hour of the night? I can't sleep. I keep dreaming the lady Madeline is crying for help. Where's Lord Roderick? Oh, he couldn't sleep either, ma'am. He said he was worried that his sister was cold, ma'am. Whatever does he mean by that? Did he go down to the catacombs? Yes, ma'am, that he did. He said he wanted to stir the fires a bit. Down there? Wait a minute, ma'am. Later, Talbot. I must stop him. I must stop him. I wouldn't go down there, ma'am. It's ever so cold at night and damp. I wouldn't go down there myself. I advised Lord Roderick against it, ma'am. I did. Roderick? The door slam shut. It's so dark in here. Cold and dark. Roderick? I don't like these goings on at all. I don't. People dying and not getting themselves properly bedded. It ain't normal. No, that it ain't. Talbot. What? Are you up too, Mr. Wilson? Don't nobody sleep proper in this year's house. Where are Miss Dina and Lord Roderick, Talbot? Well, I was sitting here as nice as you please. But where is Miss Dina, Talbot? Well, yeah, that's what I'm getting to. I was drinking this here cup of tea. When Lord Roderick comes in a little past midnight, or it was a little before midnight. Where is he? Well, I'm getting to that. He comes in and he says he does. He wants a flame. Yes? Yeah. He says, as calm as you please. He wants to go down and keep his sister from getting cold. And Miss Dina? Well, as for her, she came down a little later and said, she dreamt that the lady Madeline was calling to her. So she follows Lord Roderick to the catacombs. It ain't proper, sir. It ain't proper. Are you calling me, cousin? Oh, Roderick. Roderick, I was so frightened. I thought I was lost. Why did you come down here? I dreamt Madeline needed me. What did you do, Rod? Be quiet, Dina. You closed the coffin. Oh, how could you? Don't you approve? You were going to drive a steak through her coffin. She was a witch, Dina. A witch. Is that the custom to drive a steak through the heart of a witch? Watch, Dina. Watch. No. Watch me drive the hammer through her heart. Stop, Rod. Don't stop that. Roderick. Roderick, put that steak down in Heaven's name. Don't. Don't. Leave it alone. Take your hands off. Please, Roderick. Please. It's so horrible. It's your own sister. Your own sister. You'll pay for this, Dina. You and Madeline together. Roderick. Please. Cal would help me with this. Yes, sir. Pardon me, Lord Roderick, but please. Oh, child, darling. You came just in time. He looks like he was dead, sir. Flying there on the sofa. No. No, he's beginning to stir. Keep bathing his face in cool water, dear. It'll be all right. I'm afraid the shock of Madeline's death is too much for him. The shock of her death. The constant fall of the rain. It's getting redder all the time, Charles. Yes, it is. That's just an electric phenomenon. Oh. Don't try to move, Roderick. Oh. It's you, Dina. You again. Lie still, cousin. You'll feel better in a little while. You're both fools. You shouldn't have stopped me. She's a witch. Don't you understand? No. No, Roderick. Listen. Listen, Charles. What? Can't you hear it? What are you talking about? Listen. I told you once my hearing was super acute. I can hear a heart beating. You're over, Rod. Suppose I go for the doctor, Rod. He'll give you a sedative. No. No, don't leave me. But you need your sleep. Of course you do. All this horror tonight will pass over when the morning comes. And those infernal rains clear. It's not in my mind. She's coming. She's coming for me. You can hear her in the catacombs. Listen, Charles. Listen. Please believe me that you're simply overwrought and emotional. I've got to get out of here. I must leave at once. She's coming for me. Come here. She swore she would. I know she did. I overheard. I overheard her talk with you, Charles. Roderick. Cousin, no. You're hearing things. Now listen. I can't hear anything. She's leaving the catacombs now. Listen, Charles. Don't you hear her breathing? Can't you hear her footsteps? Her sighs? She's in the hallway, Charles. In the hall. Help me, Charles. Help me, Charles. Roderick. She's coming closer. Faster. Faster. Her feet are on the stairs. One by one, she's coming up those stairs. Listen, you can hear her now, can't you? You can hear her now. Charles, look out the window. The rain's our blood red. She's outside the door. Listen. Listen, Cousin. Listen. Madeline! No, sister. No. Leave the house of Usher, Charles. You and Dina leave this cursed house at once. The rain's our blood red. And I've come to reclaim my soul. Madeline. And you, Roderick. You will be soulless forever. From that chamber, and from that mansion, Charles and I fled aghast. The storm was still abroad in all its wrath as we crossed the park to the highway. The moon above the house of Usher was blood red. And Charles held me close as we walked down and on into the night. Dina, my darling, don't look back. The house has crumbled to the ground, crumbled into the cavernous tide. Charles. Little Dina, you'll always be safe with me. Time warns pages of the past. We have recalled the fall of the house of Usher. Bellkeeper, hold the bell.