The Raven reviews
Review by on 30 Sep 2008
As might be expected, a film which casts Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and a young Jack Nicholson is going to be deliciously camp and witty and more than a little delightfully spooky. Although this film version of THE RAVEN doesn’t draw all that much on the original Edgar Allan Poe poem it still offers up all the right ingredients for a sixties horror movie, and from a director well known for the equally enjoyable THE PIT AND THE PENDULAM (1961). With suitably atmospheric lighting and wonderful gothic scenery you’ll find yourself in the perfect mood for the snappy dialogue, trickery and power struggles that will ensue.
In many mythologies the raven is a bird of protection with the ability to see into both the past and the future, as well as beyond the veil of death. After losing his wife Lenore (Hazel Court) mournful sorcerer Dr Craven (Price - a slightly witty play on ‘see raven’) crosses the path of a raven – actually another sorcerer Dr Bedloe who has involuntarily taken the form. An intrigue of wifely betrayal involving a faked death and adultery is revealed, and a common enemy in the form of Dr Scarabus (Karloff).
So ensues a trip to the castle of the super evil Dr Scarabus. Climaxing with a duel of magical powers between Karloff and Price, THE RAVEN is a thoroughly enjoyable horror that deserves a viewing. It would be fantastic to see it reprogrammed as part of a classic horror strand in the future.
Rickie Harper, Festival Daily
As might be expected, a film which casts Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and a young Jack Nicholson is going to be deliciously camp and witty and more than a little delightfully spooky. Although this film version of THE RAVEN doesn’t draw all that much on the original Edgar Allan Poe poem it still offers up all the right ingredients for a sixties horror movie, and from a director well known for the equally enjoyable THE PIT AND THE PENDULAM (1961). With suitably atmospheric lighting and wonderful gothic scenery you’ll find yourself in the perfect mood for the snappy dialogue, trickery and power struggles that will ensue.In many mythologies the raven is a bird of protection with the ability to see into both the past and the future, as well as beyond the veil of death. After losing his wife Lenore (Hazel Court) mournful sorcerer Dr Craven (Price - a slightly witty play on ‘see raven’) crosses the path of a raven – actually another sorcerer Dr Bedloe who has involuntarily taken the form. An intrigue of wifely betrayal involving a faked death and adultery is revealed, and a common enemy in the form of Dr Scarabus (Karloff).
So ensues a trip to the castle of the super evil Dr Scarabus. Climaxing with a duel of magical powers between Karloff and Price, THE RAVEN is a thoroughly enjoyable horror that deserves a viewing. It would be fantastic to see it reprogrammed as part of a classic horror strand in the future.
Rickie Harper, Festival Daily
Review by on 30 Sep 2008
Impossible not to love this, old time horror and loads of fun!
Impossible not to love this, old time horror and loads of fun!
Film details
The Raven
BORIS KARLOFF: THE UNIVERSAL FACE OF HORROR
Director: Roger Corman
Actor: Vincent Price
Actor: Boris Karloff
Actor: Peter Lorre
Actor: Hazel Court
Actor: Olive Sturgess
Actor: Jack Nicholson
Actor: Vincent Price
Actor: Boris Karloff
Actor: Peter Lorre
Actor: Hazel Court
Actor: Olive Sturgess
Actor: Jack Nicholson
USA, 1963.
86 mins. English.
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