Watch The Black Castle For Free

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The first must-see film of the year.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

In my opinion, this film is an underrated horror classic. Fans of mysteries and thrillers should be able to enjoy this creepy film easily. The movie is deeply Gothic and over all a scary film.As others have mentioned, the film is reminiscent of the 1932 film classic "The Most Dangerous Game". The chase, the hunt, the thrills are are similar yet the two films are completely different from one another.If you like movies with spooky old castles/homes, a Gothic atmosphere, elaborate costuming & sets, a good cast, horror, thrillers, and a good mystery then you should like "The Black Castle" because this film has it all.This is one of those movies that is excellent to watch late at night - in particular on a dark and stormy night! 9/10

In a story set in the Black Forest of 18th century Germany Richard Greene is entrusted with a most unofficial mission by his government. Two friends of his and people of some standing disappeared in the Black Forest while guests of one eye Count Stephen McNally.McNally is a power unto himself in his region and unless there is tangible proof the Holy Roman Emperor will not intervene. When Greene goes to the area he finds McNally every bit as sinister as his reputation which proceeded him.Boris Karloff is in this film in a role similar to what he played in The Strange Door, a retainer of McNally the way he was with Charles Laughton in another film. He's a doctor in this one. Though Karloff is the biggest name here, the conflict in the film is between McNally and Greene. McNally is both shrewd and cruel and as high and mighty as any member of the nobility of that time was. Perks without responsibility is his motto.Good thing that Richard Greene got to the small screen. He was backup Tyrone Power over at 20th Century Fox and never rose to the ranks of top stardom. His years as Robin Hood on television finally made him a first class star.The Black Castle will have enough Karloff to satisfy his fans, but this one is a good and evil story and the opposites are rarely as spelled out as they are in The Black Castle.

The Black Castle does end too abruptly, and while haunting at times the music does sound too stock and occasionally too lively, seven composers were on board and it sounds like it. However, the sets and photography are beautiful to look at and fit the Gothic atmosphere wonderfully. The scripting is smart and sharp, as well as intelligent, very little if anything came across as awkward or too padded out. The story is never dull and keeps the attention throughout, complete with a truly exciting leopard hunting scene. The atmosphere conveyed is not scary as such(some viewers today may find it tame), creepy is a more appropriate word and it does work in bringing some chills and ghoulish thrills up the spine. Nathan Juran's direction is solid, nothing mind-blowing but he doesn't undermine anything in any way. The cast are fine as well, their roles are on the clichéd side but even that doesn't take away from the fun. Richard Greene is a very likable hero, and Rita Corday is eerily beautiful and passionate. Stephen McNally is genuinely sinister and seems to be having a whale of a time, while Boris Karloff brings great command, menace and sympathy to an intriguingly ambiguous role and Lon Chaney Jnr is appropriately creepy if like Karloff deserving of much more screen-time. Overall, creepy, atmospheric and entertaining, not masterpiece-status but very enjoyable stuff and not one to be avoided. 8/10 Bethany Cox

*Spoiler/plot- 1952, A very watch able costume and sword mystery dealing with foreign lands. The film deals with a revenge plot of noblemen and a love story with a beautiful married noble lady of the countries court being held hostage by her evil husband. Secret death potions, broken promises, and graveyards abound in this film till the end.*Special Stars- Richard Greene, Boris Karlof, Stephen McNalley, Lon Chaney Jr., John Hoyt, Tudor Owen *Theme- Love can conquer evil and maybe even death itself.*Based on- Edgar Allan Poe stories.*Trivia/location/goofs- Nice to see a Universal film studios early sneak peek at British actor, Richard Green before his huge stardom in the UK years later as Robin Hood for baby boomer's.*Emotion- A very enjoyable, colorful and interesting film due the really good acting and dialog of the leading cast; especially the hero lead actor, a young Richard Greene (50's TV 'Robin Hood' fame). The villains are well cast and achieve their roles especially sinister with most of them recognizable film and TV 'heavies' of famous note.