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4.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Rocks of Valpre remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only watch The Rocks of Valpre if you have a soft spot for 1930s British studio dramas. If you need pacing that moves faster than a tectonic plate, stay away. It’s for the folks who like old-fashioned black-and-white stuff where people stand around in drawing rooms and talk about their honor.
If you're looking for something with a bit more grit, maybe look at The Struggle instead. This one is very polite.
The whole thing feels a little bit stiff, like everyone is afraid of wrinkling their costumes. Lewis Shaw carries himself with that specific brand of stoic British suffering that was all the rage back then.
There’s a scene where he’s staring out at the sea—the titular rocks, I assume—and the silence is almost deafening. It goes on for so long I started checking my own watch. 🕰️
The blackmail plot feels a bit thin. Like, really thin. One bad guy is so obviously the villain that you wonder why the heroine doesn't just call the police or, you know, walk away.
I found myself staring at the background furniture more than the dialogue. The set design is very 'staged living room.' It reminded me a bit of the vibe in Murder on the Blackboard, just without the mystery payoff.
Jean Kent is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. She has to look distressed for about eighty percent of her screen time. She does it well, but man, she must have been tired by the end of the shoot.
Also, the way characters enter rooms is just fascinating. They sort of float in, announce something important, and float back out. Nobody ever just opens a door normally. It’s all very theatrical.
It’s not a masterpiece. It’s barely a 'watchable afternoon.' But it has this weird, sleepy charm. It’s like a warm cup of tea that’s been sitting on the table for an hour.
If you like movies that don't try too hard to be anything other than a story, you might dig it. If you want high-octane drama, skip it. 🤷♂️