The Castle of the Living Dead (1964)

A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

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

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

I've seen up to three directors credited for the film, although only Warren Kiefer is credited on the print I saw, as well as being credited as author of the story and screenplay. This low budget European shocker is the first film usually credited to Michael Reeves, who directed the horror classic "The Witchfinder General" (1968). His films are noted for their downbeat overall tone, and he directed only four feature length films before he died at age 25.In 1820's Europe, a traveling circus gives a performance. Afterwards, they are invited to Count Drago's (Lee's) castle, to perform for him. On the way there, they are intercepted by an old woman who warns them against the castle and predicts some of them will die. As usual in such films, they ignore the warning and continue on anyways or else there would be no movie. I've yet to find a good quality print of this film. It's American release was botched, and it ended up playing mostly drive-in theaters, and then fell into obscurity. The best quality print I have found has the ends cropped to make its aspect ratio 4:3. Lee is head and shoulders better than the rest of the cast. Donald Sutherland is also notable in multiple roles in this, his first feature film appearance that was not a TV movie. The other actors are no better than adequate. The cinematography and score are both functional, at best. In the last 40 minutes, film stops and numbers are projected on screen for 15-30 seconds a couple of times.If you are willing to overlook the films' faults (score, cinematography, abrupt changes in tone, and an ending that Reeves must have argued against) there are some good scares in this one.It is worth sitting through if it ever comes your way. Weird factoid: Donald Sutherland's son Kiefer is named after the director. I have no idea exactly why.

"Castle of the Living Dead" is a slow and flawed Gothic horror entry.**SPOILERS**Traveling through the countryside, Laura, (Gaia Germani) Eric, (Phillipe Leroy) Sandro, (Mirko Valentin) Nick, (Antonio De Martino) Bruno, (Jacques Stany) and Dart, (Luciano Pigozzi) decide to seek shelter from the dangerous woods. Learning that their troupe has been offered a stay at a local castle owned by recluse Count Drago, (Christopher Lee) and against several objections, take up the offer. Staying on, they try to get the better of the situation and try to support their decision to stay. When they suddenly realize that their numbers are missing, they learn that the Count has a dark passion for stuffing and embalming animals and people, using the help of a special drug that he has discovered which preserves life in a death-like state. Using this, they try to flee the castle before it's too late.The Good News: This one here wasn't that bad at times. The castle's interior here are what really makes this film worthwhile, as it looks positively creepy. It's a regular Gothic masterpiece, as the normal components that this one uses is right up with the greats of the genre. The general appearance of the rooms, with ornate furniture, decaying traps and a flow that allows for some of the feeling of isolation and dread that the best out there capture the best that the film provides. The many different sculptures on display are quite fun, and make for an even creepier feeling from the location. From the different entries into the room all the way to the feeling that there's something that the outward appearance is hiding is brought the forefront. When the discovery of the taxidermy hobby is found, there's some really freaky scenes that come out. The main embalming one is the greatest one, and the few encounters outdoors are also worthy of praise. There's also the tour through the embalming room as the gigantic pieces of equipment used to perform the embalming, and once the talk turns to the special drug, it gets a little tense as the back-story given to it is a little unnerving and makes it feel really creepy. It's one of the best scenes in the film, and gets a lot right from it. The film does have a rather nice amount of action in it. The big fight atop the castle is a brilliant one, as well as the extended brawl occurring in the display room. There's also a pretty nice fist-fight thrown in at the beginning to put some extra action parts into it, and is enjoyable for the type and style done at the time. These here are what really keep the film going.The Bad News: This one here has a few problems with it. One of the things that ruins this is that there's a large amount of scenes in here that don't have a whole lot of purpose. The fight in the bar at the beginning is one, which isn't really necessary for it's plot and is essentially there only for the fact that it puts an action scene into the film. There's also the fact that the film literally stops to a halt when the troupe does their performance at the castle. It's a necessary scene, but it's incredibly dull and manages to slow the film down to include a scene that is really painful to sit through and makes it a really terrible choice to keep it through the length it is, and is a really big contributing factor. There's also the main factor in this one, which is the fact that there's a large amount of time where absolutely nothing happens and manages to provoke a sense of boredom frequently and easily. There's a large section through the ending of the film where nothing but talking happens, and the talking doesn't help the film. Most of it is about the disappearances and how they're going to get away, rather than actually putting a plan into action to get away. It's a little infuriating to see them actually catch on and not do anything about it, and yet because nothing is happening, it's boring to sit through. These here comprise all of the film's shortcomings.The Final Verdict: A really flawed Gothic entry, this one manages to get a few really good points in with all the other problems. Check this one out only for hardcore European Gothic Horror fans or Christopher Lee aficionados, while the others out there would find that this one's flaws come out more than it's good points.Today's Rating-PG: Violence

A delightful B-Horror film filled with odd characters, shadowed corridors, and a decent plot...Castle of the Living Dead, when viewed late at night, will keep the viewer more amused than scared. I first saw this film as a boy and forever thereafter, tried to remember the title so I could see it again. Where else can you find a movie other than Lord of the Rings, with a heroic dwarf (wish he was born later in life so that he could have played Frodo)and his side kick deaf-mute giant (perhaps the inspiration for Miller's MasterBlaster), Donald Sutherland as a witch and a bungling police/soldier (keeping his trademark smirk in tact), and a beautiful female victim that is saved from poisoning by a thirsty cat. Also, two other performances must be given honorable mention...the sullen Cristopher Lee playing Count Drago, who bears the resemblance of a Gothic Heroin addict..and his henchman Sandro, whose bulging eyes and psycho-drenched laugh, make for added cinema enjoyment. This is a foreign film and carries some of the Socio-pathic drama an early 1960's horror film might entail. No graphic slashing here, but the dart in the eye of the lowly deaf/mute delivers a taste for future gore films. The dubbing is close enough to understand and keeps in pace with the film's B- status. The plot line is basic, but interesting...taking place just after the Napoleanic Wars, a mad Count who is interested in science, discovers a way of prolonging life...only his results are stereotypically creepy. When a traveling troupe of circus performers are bid to come and entertain at his castle, the plot enfolds into a all-out who is going to live and who is going to die story. Sutherland's witch character prophesizes this much, so the tension mounts towards who the final survivors will be. I loved the set of this movie, which must have been filmed on location. The Castle's giant faced back entrance is a must see and the huge stone animal objects in the entangled gardens, make this Black and White film eerie and strange. Wind, shadows, moonlit night, large castle chambers and outdoor gardens...all the makings of a chilling tale. I highly recommend this film, but suggest to view it only late, late, late night...with a pot of popcorn and maybe with one friend. Also, this could be a perfect slumber party film, as well...but would be so with differing results. For when you add these odd Castle of the Living Dead characters, with a mixture of humorous comments and tired people...the outcome is sure to create a cult film status for a new generation of viewers.cuzdogg

Ambiance is what it's all about, and this film has plenty of it. The setting is Europe during the Napoleonic era. A traveling circus troop has been invited to perform at a mysterious castle for a Count and his sleazy looking sidekick. This appears to be Donald Sutherland's first film, and he does a terrific job in a dual role. His presentation of an old hag-like witch is unforgettable. After seeing the movie, I found myself repeating some of the macabre rhymes, such as "Some will live and some will die before the morning sun is high." The acting is solid throughout. Don't expect a lot of action or violence. There's plenty of suspense throughout, however. The female minstrel is most exotic looking, and one watches in anticipation that she might eventually hike her skirt. The tension generated is occasionally broken by comic relief; some of it unintentional no doubt. There is a bit of sword play at the end, which appeared very awkward, but the awkwardness seemed to enhance the realism in a most peculiar way. It had been years since I had seen this film, and I fondly recalled it. I was successful in locating a reasonably crisp copy on DVD. I plan on watching it again soon. I easily rate it a 7 out of 10 based on entertainment value. After all, how many films can offer up their own midget toss?