Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Irishchatter So I gave this a watch this morning and see if Id be easily creeped out by it, however it just seemed very dull and confusing. I mean, if it was gonna be set at a mental hospital, they should've set it up as a mental hospital, not a 17th century like. OK at the beginning, we see a mental institution patient leaping to his death but that's about it really. It honestly didn't concentrate on the whole story, it more less concentrated on the lead characters who dressed up in ridiculous Mozart type costumes.Yeah, you wont be easily entertained or creeped out folks because its not something to go over the top about..........

AaronCapenBanner Mark Robson directs Boris Karloff as Master George Sims, who runs the notorious St. Mary's of Bethlehem asylum(known as Bedlam). He is a glib but ruthless man who runs it like his own private serfdom, unconcerned with the patients in his care, and will kill anyone who tries to stop him in his power. One such person is Nell Bowen(played by Anna Lee) who is the consort of Lord Mortimor(played by Billy House). This offers her some protection, since the cowardly Sims wont risk angering anyone in power over him, but cleverly sets about undermining her credibility, to the point of having Nell committed to his asylum! Can she overcome this cruel ordeal? Last film in the Val Lewton horror series is quite good, with fine performances by all, especially Karloff, playing Sims the same way he would later voice the Grinch!(sneaky and deceptively charming) A bit slow at times, but leads to a satisfying end.

TheLittleSongbird Of their collaborations The Body Snatcher especially is a superior film but Bedlam has many impressive things about it. The pacing can feel a little too padded out at times, and for my tastes Richard Fraser's performance is too stiff and underplayed. How Bedlam is made though is both sumptuous and atmospheric and the historical period detail is highly impressive too. The music is hauntingly eerie, while not undermining the suspense, while the film is very intelligently scripted with dialogue that provokes your thoughts a lot. There is a fair bit of talk but you don't mind when the dialogue is as well-written as it is, if I have a problem with a film being talky it is when the dialogue is not particularly good really. The story has a restrained yet eerie atmosphere, is suspenseful and handles the idea of living life in a confined place better than a fair number of films I've seen(there are some obvious ones that are an exception though). Boris Karloff gives a performance that is menacing and witty, clearly relishing his role, while Anna Lee is appealingly spirited. Billy House does a good job playing pompous and Jason Robards Snr makes the most of his interesting character. To conclude, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox

wes-connors In 1761 London, sadistic headmaster Boris Karloff (as George Sims) runs the "St. Mary's of Bethlehem Asylum" for lunatics with an iron fist. The place is more commonly and appropriately called "Bedlam". After two patients die under Mr. Karloff's cruel care, actress-turned-mistress Anna Lee (as Nell Bowen) decides to expose the mental institution's abusive living conditions. She also hits Karloff with both her riding stick and the palm of her hand. Double ouch. Karloff provides Ms. Lee's fat old lover Billy House (as "Lord" Mortimer) with his gin-loving niece Elizabeth Russell (as Kitty Sims) and has Lee brought before the "Commission of Lunacy". After claiming to be 23-years-old, Lee is committed. Lee must keep her wits as Quaker stonemason friend Richard Fraser (as William Hannay) helps from the outside...****** Bedlam (4/19/46) Mark Robson ~ Boris Karloff, Anna Lee, Richard Fraser, Billy House