How ‘The Keep’ Nearly Ruined Michael Mann’s Career

Featuring Jürgen Prochnow, Scott Glenn, Ian McKellen, and Gabriel Byrne, The Keep is based on the novel by F. Paul Wilson. The film follows a group of German soldiers stationed in a remote Romanian castle during the early years of World War II. This castle wasn’t designed to protect against enemies, but to imprison an evil power. The Keep marked a departure for director Michael Mann, known for his crime dramas, as it delved into a dark, *Omenlike horror story. While it retains some of Mann’s signature 1980s style – including a moody synth soundtrack, dramatic slow-motion, and gritty dialogue – the film is otherwise quite different from his usual work.








