AaronCapenBanner Mark Robson directs Boris Karloff as Master George Sims, who runs the notorious St. Mary's of Bethlehem asylum(known as Bedlam). He is a glib but ruthless man who runs it like his own private serfdom, unconcerned with the patients in his care, and will kill anyone who tries to stop him in his power. One such person is Nell Bowen(played by Anna Lee) who is the consort of Lord Mortimor(played by Billy House). This offers her some protection, since the cowardly Sims wont risk angering anyone in power over him, but cleverly sets about undermining her credibility, to the point of having Nell committed to his asylum! Can she overcome this cruel ordeal? Last film in the Val Lewton horror series is quite good, with fine performances by all, especially Karloff, playing Sims the same way he would later voice the Grinch!(sneaky and deceptively charming) A bit slow at times, but leads to a satisfying end.

TheLittleSongbird Of their collaborations The Body Snatcher especially is a superior film but Bedlam has many impressive things about it. The pacing can feel a little too padded out at times, and for my tastes Richard Fraser's performance is too stiff and underplayed. How Bedlam is made though is both sumptuous and atmospheric and the historical period detail is highly impressive too. The music is hauntingly eerie, while not undermining the suspense, while the film is very intelligently scripted with dialogue that provokes your thoughts a lot. There is a fair bit of talk but you don't mind when the dialogue is as well-written as it is, if I have a problem with a film being talky it is when the dialogue is not particularly good really. The story has a restrained yet eerie atmosphere, is suspenseful and handles the idea of living life in a confined place better than a fair number of films I've seen(there are some obvious ones that are an exception though). Boris Karloff gives a performance that is menacing and witty, clearly relishing his role, while Anna Lee is appealingly spirited. Billy House does a good job playing pompous and Jason Robards Snr makes the most of his interesting character. To conclude, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox

tomsview I remember seeing "Bedlam" on television in the late 1950s. One scene in particular stayed with me – a man walking down a dark corridor in the asylum with inmates hands reaching out for him from their cells – the stuff that nightmares are made of.Has "Bedlam" travelled well over the years? That depends on your expectations. In the intervening 67 years since it was made, we have seen all kinds of horror movies. After 1968, when the ratings system was introduced, much of the last four decades were with the gloves off – just about anything could be shown. As a horror movie, "Bedlam" can't compete with all that, but it is a film full of ideas, features a subject almost unique to cinema, and still manages to deliver a chill or two.The film is set in London in 1761. Nell Bowen, played by Anna Lee, is a woman associated with Lord Mortimer, an administrator of St Mary of Bethlehem Hospital, more commonly known as Bedlam.Nell becomes upset when Mortimer allows Boris Karloff's character, Master George Simms, the Apothecary General of Bedlam, to use the inmates of the asylum as amusements for paying customers. Nell has a conscience and befriends a Quaker stonemason named Hannay played by Richard Fraser. Together they attempt to better conditions for the inmates. However Nell insults Lord Mortimer in the process; she finds herself certified as insane and committed to Bedlam. Hannay attempts to save her.Many of the leads in Val Lewton films have been described as expressionless, a nicer way of saying wooden. It was often the supporting players in Lewton's films who received the juiciest parts and gave the most animated performances. However, in "Bedlam", Anna Lee gives a spirited and engaging performance – possibly the best in any Lewton film. I say this because of the shades of light and dark the performance called for. By contrast, many Lewton heroines seemed to be in a state of clinical depression from the beginning to the end of their roles – often with good reason. Boris Karloff as Simms is also particularly good, projecting malevolence in an understated performance. Only Richard Fraser as Hannay is more true to form.Lewton's team uncovered an obscure piece of history to create this story, complete with authentic sounding dialogue – no hint of modern vernacular creeps in to jar the ear. "Bedlam" also has scenes crammed with detail, capturing the feeling of "The Rake's Progress", the Hogarth paintings that inspired Lewton to make the movie.Once the film enters the asylum, it gains considerable edge. There is great contrast between life on the inside with tattered inmates barely visible in the shadows of the cavernous asylum, and life on the outside with ornately dressed people inhabiting brightly lit rooms. Nell encounters the different layers of society within the asylum – based not surprisingly on mental competence. At first she is afraid, but then she does her best to ease the suffering of the inmates. Eventually this saves her from the excesses of Simms when the inmates rise up to protect her.Even after 67 years, "Bedlam" still offers something different … a little known slice of history, a good story, compelling performances, and that corridor of reaching hands.

minamurray Unlike most horror films of 1940's, this movie, written by producer Val Lewton and director Mark Robson, does not show escapist monster rally - like atmospheric and well-made films from Universal - but something truly disturbing: human's cruelty to other humans. It is 18th century England and Bedlam, real-life institution for mentally ill, is hell on Earth (a bit like concentration camp in North Korea, minus human experiments). Quick-tempered actress (Anna Lee) opposes mercilessly sadistic warden (Boris Karloff) and depraved treatment of mentally ill, and she is soon endangered herself. Nice costumes, sets and props and (unfortunately) timeless and powerful message for need of human treatment for people with mental health problems, even if they are violent.