‘Terror comes in all sizes’
The Toymaker aka Robert and the Toymaker is a 2017 British horror film written and directed by Andrew Jones (Werewolves of the Third Reich; The Last House on Cemetery Lane; The Amityville Asylum; et al). The North Banks Entertainment production stars Lee Bane, Erick Hayden and Jo Weil.
Nazi Germany, 1941: A legendary occult book that holds the secret of bringing inanimate objects to life ends up in the hands of Toymaker Amos Blackwood (Lee Bane). As the Nazis terrorize the locals while searching for the book, the Toymaker uses the power of the book and gives life to his collection of vintage dolls and handmade toys.
The SS raid the Toymaker’s shop, confiscating the book and arresting Amos. But the animated dolls and toys don’t take kindly to the loss of their master. So, begins a mission to rescue the Toymaker from the clutches of the Nazis and exact their brutal and bloody revenge…
In the UK, 4Digital Media and Sony Pictures release The Toymaker on DVD on 21 August, 2017.
Buy: Amazon.co.uk
Main cast:
Lee Bane (Cabin 28; The Curse of Robert the Doll; Poltergeist Activity; et al), Erick Hayden, Jo Weil, Nathan Head (Blaze of Gory; Discarnate; Theatre of Fear; et al), Sophie Willis, Bodo Friesecke, Claire Carreno, Rik Grayson, Harriet Rees, Ali Rodney, Francesco Tribuzio, Jonathan Willis, Robert Graham, Courtney Bartle.
Filming locations:
Filming took place in November 2016 at Tredomen Cottage in Crickhowell, the Traditional Toys shop in Llantrisant, the Old Natwest Bank building in Bute Street Cardiff, Gwili Railway Station in Carmarthen and the Cardiff Masonic Hall.
Trivia:
The real-life Robert the Doll who was made in Germany by the Steiff toy company and later owned by Key West painter and author Eugene Otto. The doll is allegedly possessed by an evil spirit and was apparently the inspiration for Chucky, the doll featured in the Child’s Play film series.
Supposedly, Eugene was given the doll in 1906 by a Bahamian servant who was skilled in black magic and voodoo and was displeased with his family. The real life Robert is currently located at the East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida.
