Customer Reviews

The Strangler of Blackmoor Castle

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Penned by Bryan Edgar Wallace, whose output was better realized in two other German "krimis" from the mid-60's, "The Phantom of Soho" and "The Monster of London City," this, unfortunately, is a weaker entry about a series of unusual characters and a series of murders involving an elusive Count, his beautiful reporter/daughter (Karin Dor) out to catch a prize-winning story, an odd landlord in a kilt whose hobby is taping birdcalls, and some uncut diamonds.

Although somewhat big on atmosphere, this film takes awhile to get going, and there are some scary bits--but not much. More for horror fans than those who enjoy the traditional German "krimi" suspense thrillers "whodunits."

Despite leads in several horror films and virtually unknown today, the lovely Ms. Dor would achieve her greatest role opposite John Vernon as Junaita de Cordoba, lover and spy (recruited by American agent John Forsythe), out to thwart the regime of Cuban dictator Rico Parra in Hitchcock's send up on the Cuban Missile Crisis, "Topaz" made in 1969.

A mysterious hooded killer is at large in The Strangler Of Blackmoor Castle (1963), a stylish horror thriller that keeps you guessing. This German `krimi', a forerunner of the Italian giallo, features some stylized violence and a high body count. Shot in black and white and dubbed in English, the film features many scenes shot at night, or in the darkened castle, unfortunately appreciation of this atmospheric film is made difficult by the very soft image quality of what looks like a VHS type transfer.

Lucious Clark (Rudolf Fernau) who lives in Blackmoor Castle, is threatened by a man wearing an executioner's type mask, who demands some diamonds he claims that Clark has stolen. The intruder is scared away, but the next day the estate's groundskeeper is found strangled with the letter `M' cut into his forehead. Police inspector Cliff Mitchell (Harry Riebaurer), heads the investigation of a case that quickly becomes very complicated, with plenty of intrigue. Centered on activities at the castle and the neighboring village, the story unfolds like a traditional crime mystery. Clark's niece Claridge Dorsett (Karin Dor) is a reporter, and she teams with fellow reporter Mike Pierce (Hans Reiser) to investigate what soon becomes a series of murders by the deadly Strangler. Clark is up to his neck in something shady, aided by his creepy butler Anthony (Dieter Eppler).

A tangled mystery with a host of suspects, it is easy to get lost if you are not paying attention. The Strangler is an interesting character, whose actions are often hard to fathom. Still he's an active fellow, who manages to survive a number of tight situations.

Like Mario Bava's Blood And Black Lace (1964), this film should be of interest to fans of early slasher films. The progressive electronic soundtrack by Oskar Sala, is also noteworthy. The acting performances are generally good, and in step with the film's spooky atmosphere. The black and white presentation suits the film's dark tone, but one can't help but wonder how the film might have looked, if like Bava's classic, it had it been shot in color. Hopefully a better quality edition of the film will be forthcoming, as the image quality of the Alpha Video version isn't the greatest. The film rates four stars, but the subpar quality of the release is a disappointment. By no means unusual, but the packaging of the DVD is misleading, as on the cover the Strangler is shown choking a woman, which doesn't happen in the film, and on the back cover are colorized images taken from the film.

What a hit-or-miss this one is. Essential KRIMI, soft print (ALPHA DVD), yet alot of good-looking, sharp images, it varies from scene to scene. The STRANGLER is bumping off most cast members in pursuit of stolen diamonds, yet nobody trusts anyone in this fog-laden atmospheric thriller. An absolute MUST-HAVE to complete, or even just to start your collection of this stuff. This is VERY WATCHABLE, not SUPER-DIGITAL HIGH DEFINITION quailty, but you could wait several generations for that. You need to see this movie now, and this bargain dvd is that chance. It's VERY WATCHABLE (as I repeat)and affordable, the forerunner of the Italian Giallo. Buy this shabby, quirky yet quality dvd...hit or miss. I love this movie and support it's pre-Bond, pre-Giallo quasi-spy/killer/horror approach. Great stuff at a bargain price, buy, enjoy.

It was enjoyable. After I viewed The Strangler of Blackmoor Castle, I ordered 4 more similar films from Amazon, 3 of them from Sinister Cinema. I am 57 years old with a legal background. I found it delightfully understated when compared to modern American thriller/crime films.

Do you love Argento(but of course) Do you love Bava(uh! huh!)

How about old school Fulchi and D'Amato(YESSSSSS!)Well than my

friend here is a MAJOR influence Harold Reindl's STRANGLER

of BLACKMOOR CASTLE...A hooded knife murderer stalks the

dank corridors of a English lord's castle in this EERIE

movie. This movie has a masked maniac chopping off heads,flashing

knives,and threatening to pierce the eye's of a woman with a pair

of Diamond Drills(don't ya just love it)This German HORROR very

influential to the Italian films of this genre and a model

picture to the young and superior ARGENTO! Strangler is a

must own for fans of Giallo pictures and HORROR! If this

movie does not make you sweat with fear! Call a psychiatrist

QUICK!

Black and white gloom set the tone for this who is the killer rare classic. Horror mystery fans will enjoy it.

German film, dubbed in English.

An elegant dinner party, in honor of the Queen, bestows the Blackmoor Castle. Meanwhile, the dogs that are inside their pen outside are barking wild. The overseer tries to calm the dogs when suddenly a black-hooded strangler kills the first victim.

With the dinner party over and a success, the house is now empty to Lucius Clark, the host of the party. Just then, he is assaulted by the Strangler phantom who demands Clark to give him the uncut diamonds that belonged to the victim, Charles. Lucius Clark denies he has the diamonds. So the phantom warnes him, he shall make his life a hell on Earth. And furthermore, he doesn't show his face because he has many faces. Lucius Clark is not to leave Blackmoor Castle. The phantom is startled by the noise of another person coming in and escapes outside and runs through the garden.

The Strangler of Blackmoor Castle is still lurking and killing.

Can you guess who the Strangler is?