The Haunting of Morella

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And the ghostly winds whispered

but one sound upon my tortured ears.../i

Morella... evermore

Edgar Allan Poe

Morella Locke! You have been found guilty of

witchcraft, blasphemy and murder.

Therefore it is the judgement to this club union

to be sentenced to death...

as proscribed by law.

Do you have anything to say before this assembly?

Gideon Locke!

Yes, my husband, I speak to you!

Mark well our daughter, I shall

live on within her!

One day she and I will

live as one!

To welcome you to the

gates of hell!

Look into her eyes!

She has the power to control men's minds.

This is barbaric! No one has been executed

for witchcraft in the county for 40 years!

She has lived as a witch! And she

shall die as a witch!

Proceed!

Now shall her eyes be put out.

So even after her death she may cast no more evil spells.

She shall stay there for

a fortnight.

A warning to all who will

follow in her wicked ways!

Come, Gideon.

No. Do not torment yourself

further, my friend.

I will take care of interring

her remains.

No!

No. I shall build a tomb on

the very spot where she died.

May Morella live in peace.

For eternity.

Edgar Allan Poe's

The Haunting of Morella

Seventeen years later

- Yes Sir?

- I have an appointment with Gideon Locke.

Yes, you're expected.

If you follow me please, Mr Chapman.

Forgive me Sir, I...

...sometimes forget my appearance.

It's an honour fo finally

meet you, Sir!

Your message stated that you have

an important transaction with me?

Actually, Sir, this concerns

your daughter Lenora.

I see.

As you probably know, a trust fund was

set up by your late wife's family -

- prior to the birth of your daughter.

According to the specifications set down,

Lenora is to come into that inheritance

on her 18th birthday.

I understand the event will

take place in three days.

Yes, on the 24th.

I have some papers that require

her signature at that time.

I'd like Lenora to look them

over beforehand.

May I ask your age, Mr Chapman?

My age? 27.

Now, if I may see Lenora?

I'm sorry, I absolutely

forbid it.

- But Sir, I...

- Young man, you will leave this

house immediately!

All further transactions will

be conducted by letter.

Is that understood?

Sir, if I have offended you

in any way...

- Quintis!

- Yes?

This young man is leaving now.

You will see him out.

Yes, Sir.

I have left the papers requiring

Lenora's signature on the table.

Good day, Sir!

The portrait!

Lenora?

No, Sir. Mr Locke's late wife.

Morella.

He's a handsome young man!

Yes.

I wonder what he wanted?

You can daydream about him later.

Come. Let us get back to our

lessons on Spain.

Uh, geography.

What's the point of learning about the world

when I'm never allowed to leave these grounds?

Some day you may travel and see

all the places we read about.

Some day? Not if father

has any say in things!

If you make faces like that, no

young man will ever come to call!

Here.

I was saving this for your birthday.

But you can have it now for a smile!

For me! What is it?

You'll have to open it to find out.

It's beautiful!

Thank you, Miss Deveraux!

How does it look?

Lovely.

King's knight takes bishop.

I must confess, Gideon, your powers of

concentration never cease to amaze me!

- It's as if you could still see!

- Yes, it is my curse!

- Your laudeanum, Mr Locke!

- Laudeanum?

Yes, Mr Locke's having

difficulties sleeping.

I see.

Now, if you have no further need for

me tonight I'll be in my room, Mr Locke.

- Good night.

- Doctor.

Time for all proper young ladies

to be in their beds. Lenora?

Can't I practice a little longer?

You've practiced enough for one evening. Say goodnight

to your father and doctor Gault.

Good night, father. I hope you enjoyed my

playing, it was a piece I composed

especially for you!

It was beautiful!

Good night, my dear.

- Dr Gault.

- Sleep well, Lenora.

- By your leave.

- Miss Deveraux.

I must say, Miss Deveraux has

become an accomplished woman.

Yes, she's more than a governess

to Lenora.

Over the years I have grown

quite dependent upon her.

In some strange ways she

reminds me of...

Morella?

After all these years I still can not

bring myself to utter that name.

June 14.

While visiting Northampton I have encountered

the most extraordinary woman.

Her name is Morella Winthrop.

I know nothing of her

family or background.

Yet I feel an immediate rapport with her.

November 21.

My new bride Morella has recently become fascinated

with certain mystical writings-

-centering on life after death.

Indeed she has a developed a morbid preoccupation with death.

Possibly due to her own increasing ill health.

I can not look into her eyes without

the sensation of plummeting into some

dreary and unfathomable abyss.

September 24. Morella has

almost died during childbirth.

Our newborn daughter Lenora appears

healthy in all respects and has the same

dark eyes as her mother.

Dr Gault has confided to me that Morella

may only have a few months more to live.

While I was away on business Morella plunged

into her occult studies with a renewed passion.

Accompanied by some unknown disciple,

she deciphered a ritual she believed will

grant immortality.

The first step necessitated the slaughter

of a serving girl from our household.

Morella bled her in order to

bathe in virgin blood.

Thus was she prepared to invoke

the powers of darkness.

The final act of this ghastly

initiation took place at a graveyard.

Fortunately I arrived home sooner than

expected and discovered the slain

body of the serving girl.

With several townspeople I

set out to find Morella.

We arrived moments before she

could conclude the horrible ceremony.

Justice was swift and severe.

May God have mercy on us all!

I didn't hear you come in.

In this household one

learns to walk quietly!

Mmm, it feels good!

You've had a tiring day.

Perhaps some wine?

No, not now.

What's wrong?

Nothing's wrong. I just prefer

to be alone tonight, that's all.

You know I have to prepare

Lenora's lessons for the week.

I understand.

And tomorrow night?

There's not a living soul I'd rather

spend the evening with than you!

Arise, my love!

Arise from your slumber, my love!

The autumnal equinox is here. And a

fresh young body awaits you.

Now Morella...

...come forth!

Come forth!

Lenora.

Miss Deveraux?

Come to me, Lenora!

What are you doing up at this hour?

Father, what happened?

How did I get here?

What do you mean?

You don't remember?

Well, I was dreaming, and I heard

somebody calling my name from far away!

I followed the voice...

It was her.

Was I walking in my sleep?

Yes, yes, that must be it.

I guess I was just upset

from reading your diary.

My diary? Where did

you find my diary?

- In my room where you left it!

- I did no such thing!

Someone in this house

must have taken it.

Why didn't you tell

me about her before?

- I would have understood!

- The hour is late.

We will discuss it in the morning.

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