Known in U.S. distribution as Nightmare Castle,
this eerie Gothic thriller offers two Barbara Steeles for
the price of one.
Steele first portrays the wife of a deranged scientist (Paul
Muller) whose latest experiments involve electro-stimulation
of human blood.
When the mad doctor discovers his wife is having an affair,
he tortures, disfigures and kills her alongside her lover,
then removes and preserves the hearts of the victims, using
their blood to restore youth and beauty to his own lover.
When the madman discovers that his late wife left all her
wealth to her mentally unstable sister (Steele again, a blonde
this time), he quickly sets about courting and marrying the
poor girl, then proceeds to drive her completely mad in order
to inherit her fortune.
It may be an easier task than he predicted -- too easy for
comfort, in fact, since the honeymoon is attended by the spectral
presence of the murdered lovers who have risen from their
own ashes to avenge their deaths.
This film's pervasive feeling of impending doom is aided by
shadowy, low-contrast cinematography and a robust score from
Ennio Morricone, and features a riveting performance from
Steele, whose large eyes pierce the screen with dangerous
beauty.
Cast:
Barbara Steele, Paul Miller, Helga Line, Lawrence Clift
Director:
Mario Caiano |
