Tower of London

I came across this movie by chance one night late on the tv. I checked the review in the tv guide and thought it would be an adaptation of one of my favourite plays by Shakespeare: Richard III. However, when I noticed that Roger Corman directed and the guide labelled this movie a horror movie I had mixed feelings. Corman turned the story of Richard Gloucester who "gets rid" of those who stand between him and the throne of England. Corman does that in accordance with the way the people are put away with in the Shakespearean play, but (of course) with greater detail. Plus, Corman focuses more on theoccult aspects - Richard haunted by the spirits of those he killed. However, during the whole movie it does not quite become clear whether those ghosts are real or just hallucinations of Richard's poor soul. Vincent Price - once again - gives a superb villain, very reminiscent of Boris Karloff (who I think played Richard, as well). A perfect movie for dark, chilly nights, with fog and storm outside, and a blanket to crouch underneath.

I was looking forward to Tower of London as I am a big fan of Vincent Price and a lot of his and Corman's collaborations. After seeing it, I don't think it is one of their best, and the 1939 film while not perfect is a better film, but it is a decent film and should be better known than it is. Granted it is nowhere near perfect, the ending is abrupt, some of the supernatural scenes are more silly than they are haunting and most of the supporting cast are very hammy. The history is also questionable, though I wasn't expecting a history lesson when watching Tower of London and I don't count it as as big a flaw as the ones above. However, the sets, costumes and photography are quite good, the score has a haunting quality to it and the dialogue is intelligent. The story has some uneven moments, but the murders are very disturbing and there is a good atmosphere about it. The killings of the princes and Richard's decision to kill Buckingham are the best scenes of the film. Corman's direction is generally solid and Robert Brown and Joan Freeman are good in their roles and handle them with professionalism. But Vincent Price is the best actor in the film, his Richard of Gloucester is superb, the only one of the cast to make me feel that way. While slightly on the camp side, and I do think he has given better performances before and since, he is also menacing and troubled. All in all, not one of Corman's best but worth the viewing for Price's performances and the murder scenes. 7/10 Bethany Cox

A deranged Lord competently performed bt the great Vincent Price mercilessly murdering his way to the English throne . During the Middle Ages , in 1472 Great Britain kingdom is ruled by a sicked Edward IV who violently deposed the previous fleeble King Henry IV . A web of intrigue veils the lives of all who know only too well that today's friends might be tomorrow's enemies . As this interesting film deals with the story of mean Richard III Crookback , 6th in throne succession, while his brother king Henry IV appoints Clarence as Lord Protector of the Realm and preceptor his children . Subsequently , Richard eliminates those ahead of him in succession to throne then occupied by his ill brother Edward IV . Richard , Duke of Gloucester , is a dominant , unstoppable , nasty lord , gross black spider of a figure that devours or possesses everyrhing on its path . Do you have the courage to spend 83 minutes in the Tower of London ? Mother England meets Father Terror ? You will need someone to hand onto when you come face to face with the blood-chilling terror in the tower !

Enjoyable and hypnotic amusement for Vincent Price enthusiasts , resulting to be a sophisticated remake from classy version 1939 by Rowland V Lee with Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff . The film results to be as a Shakespearean theatrical drama, as a terror film in the wake of Allan Poe/Roger Corman adaptations and adding some historical elements . As this awesome movie being partially based on historic events , during Two Roses War, Red Rose (York House) ruled by Edward IV and Richard III followers and White Rose (Lancaster House) Henry VII followers who defeat to them . Finally , there takes place the Battle of Bosworth , in which Richard III is vanquished and a new ruler called Henry VII takes over the kingdom . The picture profits from a nice cast who gives over-the-top interpretations . Vincent Price provides an incisive role featuring an acclaimed acting . Being well accompanied by a good secondary cast, such as : Michael Pate , Joan Freeman, Richard Hale , Robert Brown and Sandra Knight .

Other movies regarding this historical character are as follows : "Tower of London 1939" by Rowland V Lee with Basil Rathbone , Boris Karloff and Vincent Price who coincidentally appeared here as the doomed Duke of Clarence . "Richard III 1955" starred and directed by Laurence Olivier with Jean Simmons , Ralph Richardson , John Gielgud , Sir Cedric Hardwicke , Peter Cushing , this is the landmark version of the Shakespearean play . And modern take on "Richard III 1955" by Richard Loncraine with Ian McKellen, Jim Broadbent , Robert Downey Jr , Nigel Hawthorne , being set in an imagined 1930s London if swanky Art Deco .

In between basing no less than seven movies on the wondrously macabre writings of author Edgar Allan Poe, the mega-versatile cinema wizard Roger Corman also found the the time to adapt a famous William Shakespeare play and turn it into an effectively creepy and atmospheric 60's chiller. The greatest actor who ever walked the earth – Vincent Price, who else? – plays another malicious but emotionally tormented protagonist in the English kingdom of the late 15th century. He is Richard Plantagenet, unlikely to ever inherit the throne in a righteous way, but willing to kill blood relatives in order to become King of all England. But immediately after murdering his own brother and other innocent people that stand in his way, the restless spirits of his victims come back to haunt him in visions. "Tower of London" is a fascinating history lesson, perhaps not very accurate, but at least vastly entertaining and providing more than enough genuine frights and atmosphere. Continuously descending further into madness, sir Richard submits his victims to uncanny medieval torture devices, like a stretching-rack and a rat cage that gets placed on a poor guy's head. The photography is in stylish black & white, the costumes are downright enchanting and the use of medieval vocabulary sounded like pure music to my ears. Vincent Price is amazing, as always, portraying the historical madman that also suffered from a hereditary handicap. The performances of the supportive cast are sadly a bit hammy. For some reason and unlike most other masterpieces starring Price, this baby is rather difficult to find but definitely worth searching for. A must for fans of classic horror.

'Tower of London' is fictionalized historical horror film that accounts the rise and fall of King Richard III. The film itself is above average '60s horror stuff, but it is elevate by Vincent Price's sleazy and sinister portrayal of King Richard, fighting for the right to throne and battling his own growing madness. The fans of Price will definitely be pleased - one of the few actors who can look terrifying while being over the top hammy. With 'Tower of London' Roger Corman proved he can handle more Shakespearian stuff pretty well.

Not the greatest work from them both, Corman and Price, but still worthy enough that hour and twenty minutes doesn't feel wasted one bit.