Nightmare Castle (1965)

A woman and her lover are tortured and killed by her sadistic husband. The pair return from the grave to seek vengeance.

Director:

Mario Caiano (as Allen Grünewald, Allan Grunewald)

Writers:

Mario Caiano (story, screenplay and dialogue), Fabio De Agostini (story, screenplay and dialogue)

Stars:

Barbara Steele, Paul Muller, Helga Liné

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barbara Steele	...	Muriel Arrowsmith / Jenny Arrowsmith (as Barbara Steel)
Paul Muller	...	Dr. Stephen Arrowsmith (as Paul Miller)
Helga Liné	...	Solange
Marino Masé	...	Dr. Dereck Joyce (as Lawrence Clift)
Giuseppe Addobbati	...	Jonathan, the Butler (as John McDouglas)
Rik Battaglia	...	David

Storyline

A sadistic count tortures and murders his unfaithful wife and her lover, then removes their hearts from their bodies. Years later, the count remarries and the new wife experiences nightmares and hauntings. The ghosts of the slain return to exact their bloody revenge, until their hearts are destroyed.

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Plot Keywords:

gothic horror | suspicion | mysterious event | earrings | back from the dead | 

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Taglines:

WARNING! See it with someone who's shockproof!

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The audio of Muriel Arrowsmith saying "you're a monster" is used in the song "Godzilla" by Eminem at the very beginning, then again towards the end just saying "monster"

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Quotes

Muriel Arrowsmith: You had your revenge. Why don't you kill me? Kill both of us.
Dr. Stephen Arrowsmith: You, I will kill you, you tart, you. You and your filthy friend. But death, my dear, must come to you only after I've torn from your bodies all the suffering and pain a human being can stand, and you don't know yet how long it takes to die of pain.
Muriel Arrowsmith: You're a monster.

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Alternate Versions

The uncut dubbed version is called "Night of the Doomed", and runs 97m.

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Connections

Featured in Chiller Theater: Nightmare Castle (2005)

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Soundtracks

Amanti D'Oltretomba
Composed by Ennio Morricone

User Reviews

It Ain't Motel Six

I can see why the exotic Ms Steele has become a cult figure. With her odalisque eyes, sensuous mouth, and statuesque figure, she's a real scene grabber. Here she's got dual roles. First she's a philandering wife, Muriel, murdered by her vengeful Dr. Frankenstein husband, Stephen. Then she's Muriel's blonde sister Jenny who's being driven to madness by Stephen for her newly inherited fortune. Seems Stephen (Muller) has got this infernal potion that brings on ghostly dreams that he inflicts on hapless Jenny. Jenny's long been mentally frail, but now threatens to go over the edge. Interestingly, however, it's not always clear whether the ghostly figures are real or potion induced. Good thing Doctor Dereck (mase) arrives at the nightmarish castle to help.

The movie's richly photographed with glaring close-ups and deep shadow that highlight the Gothic horror. Unfortunately, the script's pretty sloppy, as other reviewers point out. Still, that may be the result of a poorly edited version that I saw. Nonetheless, to the movie's detriment, the suspense doesn't so much intensify or build to a climax as it simply bumps along from one narrative episode to the next.

With his patrician features, actor Muller makes a visually apt villain, even though he doesn't project enough needed evil. At the same time, actress Line as the dishy housekeeper Solange can come clean my house any day. Seems however she's really an elderly woman that maestro Stephen has made temporarily young, so maybe not.

Overall, the movie's a rather classy horror film, not as cheezy as most. Also, mark me down as a new member of the Barbara Steele fan club.

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

5 July 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nightmare Castle

Filming Locations:

Incir De Paolis Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinematografica EmmeCi

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1