The Pyx
Encyclopedia
The Pyx is a 1973 Canadian supernatural thriller film starring Karen Black
and Christopher Plummer
. It is based on the 1959 book of the same title, written by Montreal author, John Buell.
, drug addiction, conspiracy
, and the occult
.
and a small metal container (a pyx
). As the investigation continues, it is revealed that the dead woman is Elizabeth Lucy, a prostitute and heroin addict. Suspects in Elizabeth's death are soon murdered one by one, and evidence of occult ritual begins to surface, leading to a confrontation with a cult leader who may be possessed by Satan
himself.
handled directorial duties, with René Verzier as cinematographer
, and Julian Hoffman as producer
. Ron Wisman was responsible for editing the film.
, with actress Karen Black lending her vocal talents. This resulted in an eerie, haunting musical score which lent itself well to the atmosphere of the film.
portrayed in The Pyx, both in the 1959 novel and the 1973 movie adaptation, reflects the traditional attitude towards Satanism
found in French literature such as the 1891 novel Là-Bas
. Likewise, the Black Mass
sequence in the film is of the traditional Roman Catholic variety, as described in French literature on Satanism. Thus the novel and movie fit in well with the French Roman Catholic environment of Montreal at the time.
Karen Black
Karen Black is an American actress, screenwriter, singer, and songwriter. She is noted for appearing in such films as Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The Great Gatsby, Rhinoceros, The Day of the Locust, Nashville, Airport 1975, and Alfred Hitchcock's final film, Family Plot...
and Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer
Arthur Christopher Orne Plummer, CC is a Canadian theatre, film and television actor. He made his film debut in 1957's Stage Struck, and notable early film performances include Night of the Generals, The Return of the Pink Panther and The Man Who Would Be King.In a career that spans over five...
. It is based on the 1959 book of the same title, written by Montreal author, John Buell.
Synopsis
While investigating a woman's death, a detective in the city of Montreal, enters the world of prostitutionProstitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, drug addiction, conspiracy
Conspiracy (crime)
In the criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to break the law at some time in the future, and, in some cases, with at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement...
, and the occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
.
Plot
A motorist witnesses a woman falling or jumping from a tenement building. Police arrive on the scene and find a crucifixCrucifix
A crucifix is an independent image of Jesus on the cross with a representation of Jesus' body, referred to in English as the corpus , as distinct from a cross with no body....
and a small metal container (a pyx
Pyx
A pyx or pix is a small round container used in the Catholic, Old Catholic and Anglican Churches to carry the consecrated host , to the sick or invalid or those otherwise unable to come to a church in order to receive Holy Communion...
). As the investigation continues, it is revealed that the dead woman is Elizabeth Lucy, a prostitute and heroin addict. Suspects in Elizabeth's death are soon murdered one by one, and evidence of occult ritual begins to surface, leading to a confrontation with a cult leader who may be possessed by Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
himself.
Plot devices
The Pyx is told in after Elizabeth's death/before Elizabeth's death sequence which alternates until the film's climax.Cast
- Karen BlackKaren BlackKaren Black is an American actress, screenwriter, singer, and songwriter. She is noted for appearing in such films as Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The Great Gatsby, Rhinoceros, The Day of the Locust, Nashville, Airport 1975, and Alfred Hitchcock's final film, Family Plot...
as Elizabeth Lucy - Christopher PlummerChristopher PlummerArthur Christopher Orne Plummer, CC is a Canadian theatre, film and television actor. He made his film debut in 1957's Stage Struck, and notable early film performances include Night of the Generals, The Return of the Pink Panther and The Man Who Would Be King.In a career that spans over five...
as Det. Sgt. Jim Henderson - Donald Pilon as Det. Sgt. Pierre Paquette
- Jean-Louis RouxJean-Louis RouxJean-Louis Roux, CC, CQ is a noted entertainer and playwright, senator, and briefly the 26th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, Canada.-Biography:...
as Keerson - Yvette Brind'amourYvette Brind'AmourYvette Brind'Amour, was a Quebec actor.In 1949, she co-founded, with Mercedes Palomino, the Théâtre du Rideau Vert, Quebec’s oldest French theatre, in Montreal where she was born. She was artistic director until her death....
as Meg - Jacques GodinJacques GodinJacques Godin is a Canadian film and television actor. He won the Canadian Film Award for Best Actor for his role in the film O.K...
as Superintendent - Lee Broker as Herbie Lafram
- Terry Haig as Jimmy
- Robin Gammell as Worther
- Louise Rinfret as Sandra
Production
Filming of The Pyx began August 24, 1972, and was completed October 2, 1972. It was filmed in Montreal, Canada, and includes much French dialog, alongside the main dialog in English. Harvey HartHarvey Hart
Harvey Hart was a Canadian film director and television producer.Hart studied at the University of Toronto, before being hired by the CBC in 1952...
handled directorial duties, with René Verzier as cinematographer
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
, and Julian Hoffman as producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
. Ron Wisman was responsible for editing the film.
Music
Music for The Pyx was provided by Harry FreedmanHarry Freedman
Harry Freedman , was a Canadian composer, english hornist, and music educator of Polish birth. He wrote a significant amount of symphonic works, including several film scores, and also composed a substantial amount of chamber music...
, with actress Karen Black lending her vocal talents. This resulted in an eerie, haunting musical score which lent itself well to the atmosphere of the film.
Satanism
The SatanismSatanism
Satanism is a group of religions that is composed of a diverse number of ideological and philosophical beliefs and social phenomena. Their shared feature include symbolic association with, admiration for the character of, and even veneration of Satan or similar rebellious, promethean, and...
portrayed in The Pyx, both in the 1959 novel and the 1973 movie adaptation, reflects the traditional attitude towards Satanism
Satanism
Satanism is a group of religions that is composed of a diverse number of ideological and philosophical beliefs and social phenomena. Their shared feature include symbolic association with, admiration for the character of, and even veneration of Satan or similar rebellious, promethean, and...
found in French literature such as the 1891 novel Là-Bas
Là-Bas
Là-Bas is a novel by the French writer Joris-Karl Huysmans, first published in 1891. It is Huysmans' most famous work after À rebours. Là-Bas deals with the subject of Satanism in contemporary France, and the novel stirred a certain amount of controversy on its first appearance...
. Likewise, the Black Mass
Black Mass
A Black Mass is a ceremony supposedly celebrated during the Witches' Sabbath, which was a sacrilegious parody of the Catholic Mass. Its main objective was the profanation of the host, although there is no agreement among authors on how hosts were obtained or profaned; the most common idea is that...
sequence in the film is of the traditional Roman Catholic variety, as described in French literature on Satanism. Thus the novel and movie fit in well with the French Roman Catholic environment of Montreal at the time.