Tower of London (1962)

At first, thought this was going to be better than average for a cheap Roger Corman movie but alas, was wrong on all counts. Corman's direction of his cast seems lacking as they walk through their limp characterizations looking like they're waiting for the next coffee break. Vincent Price has never been more unconvincing as he outrageously over acts in stock hammy style. The Corman Bros were in their element with this nasty ultra low budget foolishness. Unless you like boringly bad movies give this a wide burst! The remastering of this DVD looks good but is wasted on this very weak movie.

Roger Corman's "Tower of London" of 1962 is a great piece of Historical Horror and a fantastic depiction of madness, that has enriched the world of cinema with yet another magnificent performance by the incomparable Vincent Price. Vincent Price was in two films named "Tower of London" that dealt with the reign and villainy of Richard III, the other being Rowland V. Lee's great Historical Drama of 1939 in which, as a young actor, he played the supporting role of the Duke of Clarence alongside fellow icons Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff. Personally, I first saw this 1962 film by Corman several years before first watching the 1939 film. Though both films are great, I must say that I still prefer this one. Unlike the 1939 film, this film is an actual Horror film, which focuses strongly on the King's madness and Horror elements. The reasons why I prefer this film (which is officially a remake, but very different to the 1939 version), are the Horror elements and the unspeakably intense and creepy atmosphere, but mainly the incredible on-screen persona of Vincent Price, whom I would call my favorite actor of all-time. Basil Rathbone was great in the role of the villainous king, but Price is sublime. The character is way more insane in this film. The cold-blooded, calculating villain King Richard of the 1939 film has become an equally villainous and murderous, but incalculable madman, haunted by the victims of his bloody path to kingship.Director Corman and star Price are always a great combination, as proved by their other collaborations, the brilliant Edgar Allan Poe adaptations which mark the peak of both men's careers. Films such as "Pit and the Pendulum" (1961, also starring the wonderful Barbara Steele, my favorite actress of all-time), "The Haunted Palace" (1963, which is actually the adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft Story) of "The Masque of the Red Death" (1964) range among the greatest Horror films ever made. This is yet another magnificent collaboration of Price and Corman. Price gives a magnificent portrayal of madness and villainy in what is one of his most diabolical roles. The only film in which he plays an even more despicable character is Michael Reeves' 1968 masterpiece "Witchfinder General", and I would rate the role of Prince Prospero in Corman's own "Masque of the Red Death" on quite the same level of evilness as his role here. "Tower of London" has many macabre moments including several downright nasty torture scenes. As in all his Vincent Price films, Corman creates a genuinely creepy atmosphere, this being the only black-and-white film the two did together. Michael Pate plays the role of Richard's loyal and unscrupulous helper on his way to power, basically the role that the great Boris Karloff (another favorite actor of mine) played in the 1939 film. While Karloff played a cruel, but relatively simple-minded executioner loyal to his master Richard, the character 'Sir Ratcliffe' played by Pate is a devilishly cunning snake who isn't far behind Richard in devilish ingenuity. The settings are magnificent, and very similar to those in the 1939 film (though the photography is gloomier) it sometimes looks as if the same settings were used. Parts of the battle sequences from the 1939 film were edited into this one. Overall, this is an amazing film with another brilliant leading performance from the immortal Vincent Price. A must-see for all Horror fans!

Vincent Price fails to illuminate Richard III - possibly this is due to the direction of Roger Corman, and the resources available to the filmmakers. It's interesting to watch Mr. Price and the others attempt this odd version of Shakespeare; if you're not a fan of either, you probably won't enjoy this "Tower of London". Mr. Price as Richard kills many in his quest for the throne. Some of the deaths are (suggestively) quite disturbing, but the victims' "ghosts" are incredibly silly-looking. They act silly, too. The hero and heroine are played by Robert Brown and Joan Freeman. Their characterizations are okay; they seemed to know what their roles are and what kind of movie they are performing in, unlike some others in the cast. *** Tower of London (10/24/62) Roger Corman ~ Vincent Price, Robert Brown, Joan Freeman

Legendary Roger Corman directs this remake of the 1939 classic of the same title. This period piece is made into a horror/melodrama that chills your spine. Atmospheric B&W. Bloody events and plot twists thread through this low-budget feature. Vincent Price plays the hunchbacked Richard III, who ruthlessly tortures and murders anyone he deems standing in his way ascending to the throne of England. Richard is haunted by those he disposed of. This Gothic setting bodes well for Corman's sadistic style. Price's menacing and maniacal performance adds to his legend. One of Price's earliest roles was a supporting one in the afore mentioned 1939 original. Other players of note: Michael Pate, Joan Freeman, Donald Losby, Joan Camden, Robert Brown and Sandra Knight.