Rating: 
Summary: Stylish, beautiful gothic horror...Amicus at its best!
Review: I remember seeing this film when it first came out back in 1973 (on a double-bill with 'Terror in the Wax Museum'), and have not seen it since. However, after getting hold of the DVD yesterday, I was struck by how many of the film's images had stuck with me those many years. A rare non-omnibus film from Amicus, the film tells the story of a young bride brought to her husband's ancestral home (the house used in the film is the same one used as Frank-N-Furter's castle in 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'!) only to find that she is the victim of a curse that no one will tell her about. Stephanie Beacham and Ian Ogilvy are the newlyweds, and are quite good in their roles. Veteran performers Rosalie Crutchley ('Blood From the Mummy's Tomb'), Patrick Magee ('Asylum', 'Clockwork Orange'), Herbert Lom ('Asylum', 'Murders in the Rue Morgue') and Guy Rolfe ('Mr. Sardonicus') pop up and entertain before the arrival (nearly halfway through the film) of the fabulous Peter Cushing, as the doctor called in to help figure out why Stephanie is doing so much hallucinating and -- well, screaming. The best thing about this little gem of a film is the look of it. Horror vet Roy Ward Baker keeps things interesting by alternating moments of idyllic beauty with images of dark horror. He makes terrific use of the English countryside and the interiors. The music, by Douglas Gamely, utilizes a lovely, simple orchestral theme (which, when paired with the beautiful images is nearly breathtaking at times), but seems to 'borrow' heavily in the tense scenes from his previous score for 'Asylum.'All in all, this is a film for all fans of British horror. As it's been so long since it was widely released on video (the Canadian Prism release actually cut out EVERY moment of horror, including the dramatic climax in the graveyard!), it's time to rediscover this fine, solid, well-cast film. The DVD is nicely produced (in widescreen, contrary to what the Amazon.com description says), with commentary by Ian Ogilvy.
Rating:
Summary: Stylish, beautiful gothic horror...Amicus at its best!
Review: I remember seeing this film when it first came out back in 1973 (on a double-bill with 'Terror in the Wax Museum'), and have not seen it since. However, after getting hold of the DVD yesterday, I was struck by how many of the film's images had stuck with me those many years. A rare non-omnibus film from Amicus, the film tells the story of a young bride brought to her husband's ancestral home (the house used in the film is the same one used as Frank-N-Furter's castle in 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'!) only to find that she is the victim of a curse that no one will tell her about. Stephanie Beacham and Ian Ogilvy are the newlyweds, and are quite good in their roles. Veteran performers Rosalie Crutchley ('Blood From the Mummy's Tomb'), Patrick Magee ('Asylum', 'Clockwork Orange'), Herbert Lom ('Asylum', 'Murders in the Rue Morgue') and Guy Rolfe ('Mr. Sardonicus') pop up and entertain before the arrival (nearly halfway through the film) of the fabulous Peter Cushing, as the doctor called in to help figure out why Stephanie is doing so much hallucinating and -- well, screaming. The best thing about this little gem of a film is the look of it. Horror vet Roy Ward Baker keeps things interesting by alternating moments of idyllic beauty with images of dark horror. He makes terrific use of the English countryside and the interiors. The music, by Douglas Gamely, utilizes a lovely, simple orchestral theme (which, when paired with the beautiful images is nearly breathtaking at times), but seems to 'borrow' heavily in the tense scenes from his previous score for 'Asylum.' All in all, this is a film for all fans of British horror. As it's been so long since it was widely released on video (the Canadian Prism release actually cut out EVERY moment of horror, including the dramatic climax in the graveyard!), it's time to rediscover this fine, solid, well-cast film. The DVD is nicely produced (in widescreen, contrary to what the Amazon.com description says), with commentary by Ian Ogilvy.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating...a marvelous piece of work!!!
Review: I saw this movie on AMC ( american movie classics channel), and at first it looked like a B-movie, but dont underestamate the quality of foreign films. The set is beautiful, and the costuming is exquistate. The movie is quit frightening in some parts, such as the gohst with his eyes poked out! GROSE!!! The hand crawling around the house is pretty funny, yet sad to find out why it is there. Peter Cushing is great, along with Stephanie Beacham. Some of the screaming is pretty laughable, for how phony it sounds, and the music is also pretty cheap. Over all, this film is not very well known, and should be, for it is alot better than what you think.
P.S ( the R rating is SO ridiculous, this film has only a bit of mild gore, and a rape scene, but nothing is shown, and no language. My gosh, this deserves a PG!!!!)
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