The Ghoul

1933
Approved
1h 17m

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

3.4K

YOUR RATING

An Egyptologist returns from the dead to take revenge on those who have violated his tomb.

Play trailer1:15

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48 Photos

Supernatural Horror Action Drama Horror Mystery Romance

An Egyptologist returns from the dead to take revenge on those who have violated his tomb.An Egyptologist returns from the dead to take revenge on those who have violated his tomb.An Egyptologist returns from the dead to take revenge on those who have violated his tomb.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

3.4K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Trivia
For many years this was regarded as a "lost film", with no prints or elements known to exist. A nitrate release print was discovered in the Czech National Archives, in Prague, in then Czechoslovakia. This print was a subtitled, edited version that was in poor condition, and contained numerous splices. Several years later, a print of the uncut British version was finally discovered.

Goofs
At 40:15 when the candles are being lit, the fill light to the right flashes off and then on.

Quotes
Broughton: I advise you to be very careful, Laing.
Laing: I've a careful nature.
Broughton: You may be putting yourself perilously near dishonesty.
Laing: I've seen men nearer.

Alternate versions
Most theatrical/TV prints run 73 minutes. Video release restores original running length of 79 minutes.

Connections
Edited into Pale Moonlight Theater: The Ghoul (2014)

Soundtracks
Siegfried's Funeral March
(uncredited)
from "Der Götterdämmerung"
Music by Richard Wagner
Arranged by Louis Levy
Played during Morlant's funeral procession and thereafter

User reviews102

Review

Featured review

5/10

The opportunity to be a classic terror film was thrown away

The sets, cinematography and overall atmosphere is excellent. The music is effective in some spots only. Karloff, mostly speechless, plays the title character superbly and in well-designed horrific makeup. He looks like he's rotting and loosing control of his limbs from the start--but from what? He is not a ghoul in the classic sense (too gruesome for 1933) and while the story would seem to depict him as the walking dead, he may not be. Thesiger, Richardson and Sir Cedric are fine. Dorothy Hyson is a gorgeous, leggy damsel in distress. The film only wakes up during Karloff's intensely creepy scenes that just total less than 20 minutes. This is an example of a once lost film with a reputation that was overblown by the tantalizing stills in the monster magazines. The elements for greatness were there except for the lack of a good script and the bad histrionics of several supporting players. The ending is especially weak.