The diary of Ellen Rimbauer
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The diary of Ellen Rimbauer |
| Original title | The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 2003 |
| length | 88 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Craig R. Baxley |
| script | Ridley Pearson |
| production |
Thomas H. Brodek Mark Carliner Bruce Dunn Stephen King |
| music | Gary Chang |
| camera | João Fernandes |
| cut | Sonny Baskin |
| occupation | |
| |
The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer is a multi-part television series by director Craig R. Baxley from 2003 based on the novel of the same name by Ridley Pearson under the pseudonym "Joyce Reardon".
Both the book and the film are a prequel to Stephen King's House of Doom . The film was shot in Thornewood Castle near Tacoma , Washington . "The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer" is about the story of the young Ellen and her friend Sukeena, and what they experienced in Rose Red.
action
In 1906 the billion dollar oil tycoon John Rimbauer had a gigantic mansion built near Seattle for his newlywed wife Ellen. John leaves the construction management to his business partner Douglas Posey. Ellen is delighted and baptizes the future property with the name "Rose Red". Although worrying incidents occurred during the construction work (after a dispute over trivialities, a worker shoots his foreman), construction continues rigorously.
Although Ellen loves John idolatrously, she has repeatedly struggled with doubts and depression . The reason for this is, among other things, John's excessive, sexual drive, which Ellen is hardly able to satisfy. During the construction phase of Rose Red, John and Ellen go on their honeymoon in Africa . Even there, John hardly has his urges under control. Ellen becomes seriously ill; a local shaman named Sukeena nurses her back to health. Sukeena reveals to Ellen that the latter is receptive to the supernatural and that Sukeena wants to help her accept and use this gift. Ellen and Sukeena become friends, and when the Rimbauers return to Seattle, Ellen takes Sukeena with her. Those returning home are received by the entire servants and Rose Red is ready to move into. Upon entering the mansion, Sukeena immediately senses that Rose Red is “more than just a house”.
A little later, John gives a housewarming ceremony for his wife and Rose Red. An acquaintance of Ellen secretly looks around in John's office and is obviously surprised by something, because shortly afterwards the guests hear her screaming. The woman is in shock and says (in an alienated voice) the words: “I don't want to be here. Don't leave me alone. ”A few days later, the next incident occurs. Ellen drinks some tea with Mrs. Posey and her youth rival Fanny. There is a difference of opinion between Ellen and Fanny. When the latter gets up and starts to leave, a huge globe begins to rotate like a top near her - and Fanny disappears in front of Ellen's and Mrs. Posey's eyes. A large-scale search remains unsuccessful. Together with Sukeena and Mrs. Posey, Ellen secretly visits a Chinese medium called "Madame Lu". Madame Lu explains to Ellen that Fanny's ghost is still in Rose Red. Like Sukeena, Madame Lu believes in an evil and powerful presence that inhabits Rose Red.
Shortly afterwards, Ellen gives birth to a son, Adam Rimbauer, and the joy is great. But Ellen is increasingly suffering from repetitive nightmares , and she believes Rose Red will not rest. This is confirmed after a short time when the domestic servant Laura Mann also disappears without a trace in front of a colleague. Another major search is undertaken - without success. Said colleague reveals to Ellen and Sukeena that Laura disappeared in the butcher's chamber . There they discover a secret passage that leads directly into the property's garage. It is there that Ellen and Sukeena, after having been able to penetrate the darkness with matches, meet the ghost of Fanny, who is hanging from the ceiling by chains and handcuffs. The two women have barely recovered from their horror when they have to hide from John, who receives his driver and a prostitute in the garage. Ellen, as soon as she was back in her room, had a crying fit. John discovers Ellen's matches and questions her, but Ellen manages to convince him that she wasn't in the garage.
A few months later, Ellen gives birth to a daughter, April Rimbauer. The girl is born with a stunted arm. Meanwhile, John forces his business partner Douglas to sign a contract termination. Offended and angry, Douglas hangs himself in front of little April. She suffers a shock and doesn't speak a single word from then on. Ellen invites Madame Lu to Rose Red and the seer can encourage April to speak. It turns out that Rose Red may be after the little girl and during a one-to-one conversation in the driveway, Madame Lu pleads with Sukeena to see to an early escape from Rose Red. But the next morning Rose Red strikes: the house lures April into the salon, in which the giant globe is. Sukeena sees April going into the house, but when she follows her into the lounge, April has disappeared. The police arrested and interrogated Sukeena, and two days later she returned to Rose Red, badly battered. Now Ellen takes care of Sukeena. But John explains to Ellen that he no longer wants to see Sukeena in Rose Red and that Sukeena has a week to leave the property.
Ellen has had enough. In memory of April she had a tall tower built and adorned with a large, splendid Tiffany window. Sukeena seduces John and lures him into the tower. There, John wants to indulge his urges, but he is surprised by April's ghost and shocked. Ellen rushes over and together with Sukeena she throws him from the tower. John falls headlong into the driveway and dies. Now Rose Red belongs to Ellen all alone. She decides to stay in Rose Red forever; knowing that one day Rose Red will devour them too.
criticism
- Lexicon of the international film : The actors make a real effort, but can hardly spark the lame story.
literature
- Joyce Reardon: The diary of Ellen Rimbauer . Hyperion Books, New York 2002, ISBN 1401397638
- Joyce Reardon (ed.), Antje Görning (transl.): The diary of Ellen Rimbauer. My life on Rose Red. , Egmont Ehapa, Berlin 2002, ISBN 3802529421
Web links
- The diary of Ellen Rimbauer in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ^ The diary of Ellen Rimbauer. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed August 23, 2017 .