A young college student arrives in a sleepy Massachusetts town to research witchcraft; during her stay at an eerie inn, she discovers a startling secret about the town and its inhabitants.A young college student arrives in a sleepy Massachusetts town to research witchcraft; during her stay at an eerie inn, she discovers a startling secret about the town and its inhabitants.A young college student arrives in a sleepy Massachusetts town to research witchcraft; during her stay at an eerie inn, she discovers a startling secret about the town and its inhabitants.
Photos
- Garage Attendant
- (as Jimmy Dyrenforth)
- Villager Lighting Pyre
- (uncredited)
- Coven Member
- (uncredited)
- Student
- (uncredited)
- Minor Role
- (uncredited)
- Coven Member
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis movie's US release under the title of "Horror Hotel" omitted the following lines during Elizabeth Selwyn's burning at the stake in the first scene, which are critical to fully understanding the plot, but apparently offended American censors: Elizabeth Selwyn: "I have made my pact with thee O Lucifer! Hear me, hear me! I will do thy bidding for all eternity. For all eternity shall I practice the ritual of Black Mass. For all eternity shall I sacrifice unto thee. I give thee my soul, take me into thy service." Jethro Keane: "O Lucifer, listen to thy servant, grant her this pact for all eternity and I with her, and if we fail thee but once, you may do with our souls what you will." Elizabeth Selwyn: "Make this city an example of thy vengeance. Curse it, curse it for all eternity! Let me be the instrument of thy curse. Hear me O Lucifer, hear me!"
- GoofsWhen they are waiting in the cemetery for the clock to strike 13, the clock actually strikes 14 times.
- Quotes
Reverend Russell: They must sacrifice a young girl on two nights of the year.
Richard Barlow: When are these nights, sir?
Reverend Russell: Candlemas Eve, and the Witch's Sabbath.
Richard Barlow: Candlemas Eve, that, that's February the 1st, when is the Witch's Sabbath?
Reverend Russell: *Tonight*.
- Alternate versionsThe original U.S print (titled "Horror Hotel") is around 2 minutes shorter than the "City Of The Dead" version, and is missing most of the cursing made by Elizabeth Selwyn to the villagers during the opening burning and some of the conversation between Driscoll and Barlow as they discuss belief in the supernatural.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Creature Features: Horror Hotel/The Human Monster (1971)
Black and white photography rarely seems to look this good, and has been one of the things that has turned me off such films before now. The visuals in City Of The Dead are so sharp and foreboding that they serve to accentuate the small town paranoia perfectly.
In terms of the characters, Patricia Jessel as Mrs Newlis and Christopher Lee as Prof Driscoll, are supremely sinister, whilst Venetia Stevenson as Nan Barlow, is hopelessly deserving of the viewers compassion as the witches prey!
I've come to love this film, not just for the sake of the film itself, but because it proved me so wrong in my assumption that most movies of this type/age are dull, it's incredibly watchable and tense.
Details
Box office
- Budget
- £45,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 16 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1