Purely Joyful Movie!

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

I can see why the exotic Ms Steele has become a cult figure. With her odalisque eyes, sensuous mouth, and statuesque figure, she's a real scene grabber. Here she's got dual roles. First she's a philandering wife, Muriel, murdered by her vengeful Dr. Frankenstein husband, Stephen. Then she's Muriel's blonde sister Jenny who's being driven to madness by Stephen for her newly inherited fortune. Seems Stephen (Muller) has got this infernal potion that brings on ghostly dreams that he inflicts on hapless Jenny. Jenny's long been mentally frail, but now threatens to go over the edge. Interestingly, however, it's not always clear whether the ghostly figures are real or potion induced. Good thing Doctor Dereck (mase) arrives at the nightmarish castle to help.The movie's richly photographed with glaring close-ups and deep shadow that highlight the Gothic horror. Unfortunately, the script's pretty sloppy, as other reviewers point out. Still, that may be the result of a poorly edited version that I saw. Nonetheless, to the movie's detriment, the suspense doesn't so much intensify or build to a climax as it simply bumps along from one narrative episode to the next.With his patrician features, actor Muller makes a visually apt villain, even though he doesn't project enough needed evil. At the same time, actress Line as the dishy housekeeper Solange can come clean my house any day. Seems however she's really an elderly woman that maestro Stephen has made temporarily young, so maybe not. Overall, the movie's a rather classy horror film, not as cheezy as most. Also, mark me down as a new member of the Barbara Steele fan club.

"Nightmare Castle" (1965) is a mildly enjoyable horror film starring the ever-creepy Barbara Steele. Steele is murdered by her evil-scientist husband for her adulterous ways. He then uses her blood to rejuvenate his aged girlfriend. Then he marries Steele's blond sister (also played by Steele) and attempts to drive her insane so he can send her to a loony bin and spend her large inheritance. But Steele's ghost is trying to possess her sister for revenge. The evil husband sends for a psychiatrist--who just happens to be a good lookin' hunk o' man--and he begins to fall for blondie. He suspects foul play. (Does this seem at all convoluted?)

*Spoiler/plot- 1965, The Faceless Monster, A mad scientist kills his wife and her lover, partly for revenge and partly for his experiments animating blood. A Gothic tale of murder and revenge from the grave.*Special Stars- Barbara Steel plays the wife.*Theme- Justice is for everyone.*Based on- 19th century ghost stories.*Trivia/location/goofs- Is online. Italian nobleman and his house.*Emotion- The horror aspects of this film are much better than the thin SF elements, with the haunting of the dead murdered lovers. This story 'feel' is very reminiscent of TV "Dark Shadows" or the E. A. Poe stories.

I'm working my way through the Horror Classics 50 Movie Pack Collection and NIGHTMARE CASTLE is one of the movies in the set. I am watching them with my soon-to-be seven-year old daughter, which makes most of these movies a laugh riot.However, NIGHTMARE CASTLE is not one of them! In fact, it is just my kind of old-fashioned, B-grade horror movie. It is an especially creepy thriller! Barbara Steele plays a duel role as an unfaithful wife; and, her mentally fragile sister. Despite being obviously the same person, it's easy to suspend one's disbelief because the characters are so completely different – the wig doesn't hurt either.The plot gives way to Dr. Stephen Arrowsmith marrying the sister, to keep his hands on his late-wife's fortune (of course after torturing her and her lover in the first part of the movie). He does this to continue his bizarre experiments, including extracting the hearts of his two victims, for the benefit of his ally Solange, the maid – who really wants to be more than that in the doctor's life.NIGHTMARE CASTLE features beautiful cinematography, lush locations; and, an aptly Gothic castle. It is rather thin on plot; and, has absolutely abysmal dialogue, due to poor dubbing.Barbara Steele is exceptionally well cast; and, offers up apt performances. The score is quite eerie (I wish the sound was better on this print); and, sufficiently intensifies the atmosphere and action.Yes, the plot reads like a sordid melodrama. But, I like NIGHTMARE CASTLE.