Customer Reviews

The Raven [VHS]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Take a Richard Matheson comedy screenplay on a Poe story, direct it by Roger Corman, throw in some overpretentious spooky castle sets, a good deal of Boris Karloff, Vincent Price and Peter Lorre, all in their best mood, and a dash of Jack Nicholson.
Mix and...
Voila!
The result could only turn out as a dream for a true horror-flick fan. This is a treat for any fan of Boris, Vincent, Peter, Roger, Jack or the genre (some kind of bizarre horror-comedy) in general.
The story owes very little to Poes original poem, it has only borrowed vague elements from it in the opening scenes, but is still one of the real treasures in the Poe/Corman series.

Storyline sum-up: (SPOILER WARNING)
The film opens on a "midnight dark and dreary" with Vincnet Prices creepy voice reading the Poe poem "The Raven". We soon find ourselves in some kind of strange D&D land, early 16th century. Dr Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price)is a sorcerer mourning his late wife Leonore in his old castle. He is surprised by a raven "entreating entrance at his window lattice." He learns that the raven is amateur sorcerer Dr Adolphus Bedloe (Peter Lorre)who has been enchanted by the evil grandmaster of all sorcerers, Dr Scarabous, and from here on the film takes on an abruptly comical turn.
The set of to the dungeon laboratory to find an antidote for Bedloe. After some complications Bedloe returns to normal and recognizes a photograph of Leonore, claiming that he saw her in Scarabous castle that very evening. Cravens doubt him at first, but after Bedloe convincing him, Craven, Bedloe, Bedloes son, Rexford (Jack Nicholson !), and Cravens daughter Estelle (Olivia Sturgess)sets of to Scarabous remote mountain castle.
After an adventuric journey the arrive at the creepy castle (sets reused in "The Terror"). Inside they are confronted by Scarabous (Karloff in his very best, he REALLY seems to enjoy the part) who asures them that he has nothing to do with Cravens wife, and has not taken control over her spirit, as Craven believs. Scarabous manages to convince Craven and invites them to dinner, at wich Bedloe gets drunk and challanges Scarabous on a magic duell in wich he is "accidentally" turned into a pile of rasperry jam.
Scarabous who has created a thunder storm gets the company to spend the night at his castle. Know it is revealed that Leonore (Hazel Court) is alive, she has left Craven for Scarabous welth and power. Scarabous has a plan, in wich Bedloe helps him, to conquer the powers of Craven.
...

The potion mixturing scene, the duell between Scarabous and Bedloe and the final battle is masterpieces of comedy, and some moments they can get completely hilarious.
Vincent Price does an average good performance. He doesn't really reach up to the class of "House of Wax" or "Dr Phibes" but is stil highly enjoyable, with his usual charm and elegance. If you want to see a Poe film with Price at his absolutely best, watch "House of Usher" or "Pit and the Pendulum" instead.
Karloff, aging as a fine wine, never seem to had more fun. He is totally unrestrained as he smiles, glees, laughs and completely chew the scenery up with his hammy, lisping british accent, with wich he innocently asures; "Afraid, my dear? Theres nothing to be afraid of..." Look out for other highlight lines such as "Oh, dear! He really shouldn't have tried for that particular experiment, it requires such an enormous concetration" and his absolutely hilarious final line; "I'm afraid i just dont have it anymore".
Peter Lorre is superb as the total coward, uncureable drinker and rotten villain, Dr Bedloe. He gets the greatest share of good lines and brings up many laughters during the films 90 minutes playtime. The scene with the mad servant in Cravens castle, the dinner at Scarabous home and the final scenes is his absolute highlights.
And as for Jack Nicolson, well, he seems to have been in desperate need of a paycheck in 1963. Hes performance isn't really much to look for, despite his charisma, but a fan can make a nostalgical fiest only by his presence.
A fantastic horror-comedy, perhaps the greatest ever made. It isn't very frightening, but a masterpice none the less. Highly recommended for any classic horror fan and a real "clash of the titans".
A delicate mix to watch over and over again!

The Raven stars Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Boris Karloff as three wizards. It has everything a B-movie needs: terrible dialog, special effects that border on non-existence, and much more. It is highly entertaining, and a great laugh (even though it is billed as "the macabre masterpiece of terror!")

As a special extra, a very young Jack Nicholson plays Peter Lorre's bumbling son! THIS IS A MUST-SEE!

Karlof, Price and Lorre, the unbeatable trio of mild and humorous horror flics, deliver a performance with a cheesy but comedic atmosphere. Somewhere between "This Island Earth" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" lies this tale of transformation and wizardry, designed for gruesome laughs and light entertainment.

This is an absolute charmer of a movie - full of bold colours, cute SFX and great performances from Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and Vincent Price. The film culminates with a battle of sorcery between Price and Karloff - great stuff! Also look out for Jack Nicholson in an early role as the youthful hero.

Pra gringada ignorante que não conhece o poema do Poe o filme é ruim ( e mesmo assim não é). Mas um cara de Utah que deveria ter umas 6 ou 7 mulhers em vez de ficar escrevendo besteiras, o filme é ruim...Sim..se houvesse vida inteligente em Utah, talvez... Compre correndo quem ler isso é tiver um QI maior que 90

This is the kind of movie I loved to find on TV on a rainy afternoon when I was a kid. It's not really a horror movie but a tongue in cheek spoof of the genre. I was amazed to find a young not yet famous Jack Nicholson in the film with three horror acting kings - Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff. The flick is directed by famous B scary movie master Roger Corman and everyone involved seems to be having a blast. The movie is very very loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe's mysterious and haunting poem but since everything is played for laughs Mr. Poe would probably have a hard time recognizing his contribution.

This is the best Corman flick of all time! Vincent Price ups the "cheese factor" just enough to cross the line between "bad horror movie" and "classic comedy movie". Peter Lorre's character is essentially a reprise of his role (also with Vincent Price) in The Black Cat. Boris Karloff lends just the right amount of legitimacy to this so-called "masterpiece of macabre horror" to make it work as a horror flick. Jack Nicholson as the (momentarily) demonically possessed son of Peter Lorre is a real treat. Great background video for when you're at home handing out treats on halloween!

The combination of the actors and directors in this film is classic; Price, Karloff and Lorre are a lot of fun to watch and feed off each other. The magic-death match sequence itself is possibly Corman's greatest achievement. Simply unbeatable.

It is a Good movie but not great,It is only worth watching because of Price and Karloff. I prefer them to be in more serious films than this,however since both legends are in this movie it should not disappoint too much.The Raven is worth watching.

Raving About Roger Corman's The Raven (1963)


Every October my daughter and I pick up a few spooky movies to get into the Halloween groove. This year, I had the pleasure of introducing her to one of my all time favourite horror comedy classics, Director Roger Corman's "The Raven." The screenplay is adapted (VERY loosely) from the famous Edgar Allan Poe poem. This is one of Corman's many American International Picture adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe's works, and one of his best.

As the king of "b" horror movies, Corman knew had to make the most out of a tight budget. His stylish films consistently used good source material, well written screenplays, lavish set designs, locations, props, costumes and great horror stars. "The Raven" boasts no less a cast than Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Jack Nicholson, and 60's scream queen Helen Court - a mind boggling cast given that this is a low budget film.

Pairing horror legends Price, Lorre, and Karloff was indeed a momentous occasion and the stars make the most of it. Any semblance to Poe's Gothic poem pretty much ends after Vincent Price reads the first few lines (brilliantly recited despite its brevity) at the intro of the movie. Afterwards, screenplay writer Richard Matheson takes the sombre mood of the original poem and turns it on its ear with his original comic screenplay.

At the outset of the film, we learn that Price's character (Dr.Craven - a wizard) has lost his wife Lenore (Helen Court) and has long mourned her loss. He's interrupted in the midst of his grief by "a tapping at his door." Price opens the door to find himself confronted by a raven (Peter Lorre). The raven, it turns out, can talk and is actually a rascally wizard named Dr Bedlo who has been enchanted by the evil wizard Dr Scarabus (Boris Karloff). He entreats the amazed doctor to help him become a man again.

Richard Matheson's screenplay provides the actors with some wonderful comedy dialogue with which to work. Price and Lorre had been previous teamed in Tales of Terror, and their styles blend beautifully together - they are a scream! They set about concocting a potion in set designer Daniel's Haller's creepily atmospheric dungeon. After much fumbling, Price finally manages to restore Lorre's human head, but his body remains that of a giant human sized raven. Seeing Lorre strut his stuff in the Big Bird raven costume is almost worth the DVD price by itself!

Once restored, Lorre swears revenge on Dr Scarabus. He asks for Price's help. But the doctor refuses until Lorre's character spots a portrait of Price's long lost wife and remarks that he's seen the woman at Scarabus' castle. The two set off for the castle along with Price's daughter (Olive Sturgess) and Bedlo's son (played by a young delightfully hammy Jack Nicholson).

When Lorre and Price reach the castle, the fireworks begin - figuratively and literally. It's clear these three horror icons are having the time of their lives, hilariously spoofing their monster screen personas. Dated special effects (though fine for their day) detract little from the final magical showdown between Karloff and Price.

I never get sick of seeing this movie and happily give it a rave review! Grab the popcorn and enjoy.

Rob Rheubottom

Winnipeg, MB Canada