dougdoepke 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.

mark.waltz It's the same old horror set-up; A cheating wife is caught by her supposedly out of town husband and both the wife and her lover are tortured and murdered. The husband takes a new wife (with an agenda, of course) and the spirits of the restless undead return to make their lives a living hell. Paul Muller is the evil scientist who ruthlessly tortures his wife and her lover then gives the wife's blood to the embittered housekeeper (Helga Liné) who is suddenly youthful again. She's extremely jealous when Muller marries the dead wife's half sister (a blonde wigged Barbara Steele, also present as the brunette first wife) with the intention of getting his hands on the estate that sister left sister. But the spirits of the not completely dead want their revenge and the blonde Steele begins to have nightmares which fits completely in plan with Muller's motives of having her declared insane so he can get his hands on the entire estate. Not if the ghosts have their way, and this is where the real nightmare comes into play.Not for the squeamish, "Nightmare Castle" features torture through acid and electrocution, and the victims must suffer greatly before they go off into the restless spirit world of the still wandering undead. Steele has played this type of role many times before, most notably in the cult classic "Black Sunday", and while her part is fun to watch (as always), the technical flaws of this badly dubbed film are sometimes difficult to stand. The characters for the most part are all one-dimensional but the execution (pardon the pun) is exceptional and the macabre elements of the story truly gripping if one is strong enough to stomach it. Helga Liné goes from hunchbacked servant to still embittered beauty so rapidly that it takes a minute to figure out what transpired. Still, there's a lot of fun to be found in this Z-grade Gothic thriller if you can get past the poor photography, extremely tinny sound and sometimes maudlin acting.

Woodyanders Hot-blooded Muriel (ravishing Goth queen Barbara Steele in fine form) has an extramarital affair with studly gardener Jonathan (hunky Guiseppe Addobbati). When Muriel's sadistic and pitiless husband Dr. Stephen Arrowsmith (splendidly played to the snotty and sneering hilt by Paul Muller) finds out, he brutally tortures the adulterous duo prior to killing them. Stephen subsequently marries Muriel's innocent and emotionally fragile half sister Jenny (also portrayed by Steele), who soon starts being tormented by Muriel's vengeful and unrestful spirit. Ably directed with style and assurance by Mario Caiano, with a constant snappy pace, an absorbing script by Caiano and Fabio De Agostini, a flavorsome evocation of the past period setting, some startlingly bloody and ferocious moments of in-your-face nasty violence, handsome, agile black and white cinematography by Enzo Barboni, a potently gloomy and oppressive atmosphere of pure skin-crawling dread, a rich score by Ennio Morricone that alternates between supremely spooky'n'shuddery ooga-booga midnight chillshow stuff and more elegant orchestral music, and a rousing conclusion that makes inspired and effective use of ominous swirling mist, this fright film certainly does the pleasingly creepy trick. The witchily beautiful and alluring Steele excels in her juicy dual role. The lovely Helga Line also does well as Solange, a wizened old crone servant who has her youthful pulchritude restored by a serum Stephen made from Muriel's blood. Essential viewing for Barbara Steele fans.

oscar-35 *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.