Wordiezett So much average

Beanbioca As Good As It Gets

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

thejcowboy22 In my teenage years I discovered this film by my vampire aficionado Corinne Muller. Corinne lived a few house's over from me and our relationship was strictly horror movies. My friends and younger sister would pile into Corrine's den and watch the popular soap opera "Dark Shadows" which aired daily every afternoon on the ABC network. I remember the enormous popularity of that program especially with young kids who ran pell-mell from school to catch the half hour macabre themed saga. When I was 7 years old I also watched the original Bela Lugosi version of Dracula which scared me so much that I ran out of the room at top speed and hid under the covers in the safety of my bedroom. In the 1960's there came a large influx of foreign versions of horror films coming out of the United Kingdom and Italy. Castle of Blood or Castle of Terror is a perfect example of fine Italian cinematography and direction. At first glance I was sort of scared. Our film is shot in Black and white which by no means diminishes the visual quality of the movie. This film takes place in the nonindustrial era in London, England around 1860. Our story starts with two writers named Foster and Poe, Edgar Allan to be exact,in a tavern discussing a possible bet. The terms of the bet explained by Poe are the following...Going to a nearby haunted castle and spending the night on "All Souls Eve" and stay alive the next day to collect. This castle has a litany of horrible deaths through the years of prior guests and inhabitants. Obviously this film is clearly dubbed in English but not noticeable enough to hurt the continuity of the movie. Writer Alan Foster (George Riviere) the male lead in this evening of meeting departed people, enters the castle and is instantly locked inside. He meets to his delight, an attractive Woman, Elisabeth Blackwood (Barbara Steele) wearing a lovely white negligee. The lovely centerpiece in this musty old mansion. To avoid spoilers Alan witnesses and interacts with ghosts in solid human form all night witnessing the previous ghastly murders in chronological order. I personally enjoyed the romantic scenes Alan had with Elisabeth. The movie does contain violent scenes but balanced with the lovely Barbara and her jealous low-cut rival Julia (Margrete Robsahm) kind of makes you forget your watching a horror genre type film and instead more of a romance and lust based movie. There is a lesbian theme here which is sutle but it's apparent that Julia wants Elisabeth's affections. There is nudity in the film depending on which version you purchase which makes the horror scenes more except-able. The wardrobe department gets high marks for this film as all our characters are impeccably dressed for that time period. Barbara Steele in her fancy hoped gown wants you to come a courting. This movie had two directors Sergio Corbucci and Antonio Margheriti and it payed off as the movie was shot in two weeks time and under budget. Barbara Steele and Sylvia Sorrente captured my fancy and some 40 years later I never get tired off watching them on the screen despite the bloodshed. This opened my interest in Barbara Steele movies and I love them all. Just remember if your going to spend the night in a haunted house, spend it with Barbara and she'll share her bed with you. I guess Ghosts don't snore.

christopher-underwood Well executed old and very dark house horror. Good set-up which includes the character of Poe, himself, alluding to the story in a London pub. Although from here it is pretty much the one guy who has taken the dare to visit the house on a particular night running from room to room either looking for or avoiding people, it is still most enjoyable. Plus we have the delightful and enigmatic Barbara Steele. There is some wooden dialogue and some unexplained bits and bobs but it is the super creepy atmosphere that is maintained throughout, that and the super musical score that keep this one moving nicely along. DVD originates from US and has a few extras

mlraymond This complicated story begins fairly simply, with an English journalist accepting a wager from Edgar Allen Poe and his friend Lord Blackwood that he cannot spend a night in the haunted Blackwood castle. Once there, the writer wanders around the dusty rooms and corridors, until music and a glimpse of a waltzing couple lead him into an empty room. He sits at the harpsichord and starts to play the tune he has heard, and is surprised to be tapped on the shoulder by the stunningly beautiful Elizabeth Blackwood. She informs him with an ambiguous charming/eerie manner that she has prepared his room upstairs and that someone is always expected on this night...the Night of the Dead. Thus begins a startling series of supernatural events that bewilder the journalist all the rest of the night. SPOILER AHEAD: it probably won't surprise too many viewers to learn that the lovely Elizabeth is actually a ghost. This doesn't prevent her from falling in love with the journalist, but it does make things more complicated for them than for the average couple. This is a fun movie, with absolutely everything: ghosts, the spooky castle, repeated visions of past events, sex and violence ( though both have been toned down in the version most Americans have seen over the years.) The alluring, captivating Barbara Steele is the main reason to see it. She has a strange charisma unlike anyone else you've ever seen in the movies. Recommended!

johnrtracy I've watched this movie a number of times, and found it to be very good. This movie is also known as "Castle Of Terror", "Coffin Of Terror", and "Dance Macabre". Barbara Steele, is her usual beautiful/creepy self. George Riviere, the male lead, does a good job with his role. The whole movie is dripping with atmosphere, and there is a good deal of tension throughout. The camera angles are good and the acting, for the most part, isn't bad. This film is quite suitable for a rainy day or evening. I have the DVD uncut version, which is far superior to the edited TV version. Grab some popcorn, turn out the lights, settle back and enjoy. John R. Tracy