ThiefHott Too much of everything

Vashirdfel Simply A Masterpiece

Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Murphy Howard I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

bbr00ks My review is many a year too late to be of much use to anyone but oh well, I just watched it on my local oldies channel. This fun farce includes a really (surprisingly) heavyweight cast of instantly recognizable stars such as Vincent Price (the Thriller voice over guy as my daughter pointed out), Bella Lagosi (the Grinch thanks daughter!) and even Jack Nicholson looking quite young. The plot is played for fun and the cast mostly does well with the limited acting asked of them. Perhaps I had Harry Potter on the brain but (spoiler alert) final showdown between wizards seemed remarkably like The Order of the Phoenix fight between Dumbledore and Voldemort - right down the the medieval theme of the Ministry of Magic.

Leofwine_draca The credits for this film read like a role call of famous names. Samuel Z Arkoff, responsible for churning out billions of products in the '50s and '60s, is a producer while the screenplay was directed by none other than Richard Matheson, a famed horror writer. Roger Corman directed the film, and even non-horror fans will instantly recognise his infamous name. The story is loosely (very loosely) based on an Edgar Allan Poe poem, which Price reads over the credits at the beginning. With production values like this, as well as an excellent ensemble cast, you have on your hands a sure-fire hit. THE RAVEN doesn't disappoint.Those expecting straight Gothic horror, however, will be disappointed, as the horror is virtually non-existent, taking a back seat to the numerous laughs on display here. I found some of the humour to be a bit laboured but not overly so. Price hams it up in his usual style and the role is perfect for him, as he plays the noble count (what other title would suit him?). Peter Lorre is also perfectly cast as an unlikeable man who is turned into a raven, and his snivelling role is at times rather tragic (note his reliance on alcohol) yet amusing. Karloff brings a true sense of menace as the evil conjurer, showing us he hasn't lost the sinister magic, while Hazel Court is on hand for the glamour aspect, surprisingly playing a villain this time around. Jack Nicholson ironically has an under-played supporting role, and we can see that he is still learning the ropes here and there is none of his over-the-top excess so typical of him, in fact his wooden acting is somewhat laughable.The special effects are also amazing for the time this film was made. Animation features heavily, and doesn't even look as dated as some films of the 1980s (CHILDREN OF THE CORN for example), as well as strings, wires, pulleys, fire, and many over tricks. At one point it looks like some kind of prism was used to shine light across the film (when the magicians are shooting their 'rays'). The production values are typical, with most money being spent on lavish costumes and a fiery climax (again, what else?). If you want to see a superb cast playing out a Poe film for laughs, then look nowhere else.

LeonLouisRicci Not Without Some Interest, this Overrated and Disappointing Horror-Comedy is Mostly Comedy and it's Not Very Funny. But it is Slightly Amusing. Vincent Price along with Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre, is the Only Actor that Manages to Click.Lorre is just Annoying and Whiny, Krarloff seems Bored and Tired, and Oh Yea, there He is a Young Jack Nicholson, Director Roger Corman's Discovery, and about the Only Thing He can do is Look Out of Place and Awkward.The Movie Looks Great, has Beautiful Color Work and the Sets are Magnificent. But as a Whole the Film Barely Works Considering all the Talent, Including a Screenplay by the Usually Excellent Richard Matheson, who here is just a Pedestrian looking for a Paycheck.Overall, it can be Recommended for Corman Completists, Star Watchers, and for the Fabulous Atmosphere, as a Bonus You can Ogle Hazel Court.

SanteeFats This movie is a hoot. It is so funny when Vincent Price and Boris Karloff have their magic duel to the death, but when Price wins he leaves Karloff alive but exhausted of magic. By facial expressions alone during the duel you can see that Price is in control and even contemptuous of Karloff's magical attempts. Now Price's wife, Lenore, having left a substitute body in her tomb went over to Karloff two years ago. She is basically a whore for power. Peter Lorre is one of the three sorcerers but he is the least of the three. Actually pretty pathetic compared to the other two. Jack Nicholson appears in this film as Lorre's son. He evidently has no magical talent but does have chutzpah and helps out Price's daughter. In the end Lorre has been turned back into a raven, goes to Price to become human again. It doesn't happen as Price decides it is a fitting punishment for hem to remain a bird. The last line of the movie is the last line of Poe's poem, quoth the raven nevermore.