The Raven (1963) 6.7
A magician who has been turned into a raven turns to a former sorcerer for help in this film loosely based on the Edgar Allen Poe poem. Director:Roger Corman |
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The Raven (1963) 6.7
A magician who has been turned into a raven turns to a former sorcerer for help in this film loosely based on the Edgar Allen Poe poem. Director:Roger Corman |
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| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Vincent Price | ... |
Dr. Erasmus Craven
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| Peter Lorre | ... |
Dr. Adolphus Bedlo
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| Boris Karloff | ... |
Dr. Scarabus
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| Hazel Court | ... |
Lenore Craven
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Olive Sturgess | ... |
Estelle Craven
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| Jack Nicholson | ... |
Rexford Bedlo
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Connie Wallace | ... |
Maid
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William Baskin | ... |
Grimes (Craven's servant)
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Aaron Saxon | ... |
Gort
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In this tongue-in-cheek movie inspired by Poe's poem, Dr. Craven is the son of a great sorcerer (now dead) who was once himself quite skilled at that profession, but has since abandoned it. One evening, a cowardly fool of a magician named Bedlo comes to Craven for help- the evil Scarabus has turned him into a raven and he needs someone to change him back. He also tells the reluctant wizard that Craven's long-lost wife Lenore, whom he loved greatly and thought dead, is living with the despised Scarabus. Written by Ken Yousten <kyousten@bev.net>
When I first saw this movies I was shocked by the humor. I was in the mood for a horror flick, and with actors such as Peter Lorre, Vincent Price, and the incomparable Boris Karlof I was sure that I had hit horror gold. However, after the first minute of the movie I quickly realized that this was not a horror film at all, but a wonderful satire of the horror genre.
What makes this movie work so well is that nobody takes themselves too seriously. In fact, you can tell from the outset that everyone in the cast is in on the joke. I would caution those who are expecting a great performance from Jack Nickleson to be prepared to be disappointed. However, it is plainly evident that he is an excellent actor just waiting to happen.
Is this movie perfect, hardly, but it is definitely worth seeing. If for no other reason than to see the climatic head to head dual of magic between Price and Karlof.