The Black Cat (1934)

American honeymooners in Hungary are trapped in the home of a Satan- worshiping priest when the bride is taken there for medical help following a road accident. (imdb)
Genres: Suspense/Thriller, Crime, Adventure, Horror
Country: USA
Directed By: Edgar G. Ulmer
Written By: Edgar G. Ulmer, Edgar Allan Poe, Peter Ruric
Starring: John Carradine, Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Boris Karloff, Julie Bishop, Egon Brecher, Harry Cording

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The Black Cat belongs to 33 collections
1. 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (public: moderated by kozan26 - 213 stars)
2. Features under 91 minutes (public: moderated by epiphany - 50 stars)
3. Certified weird (public: moderated by Dreamer - 40 stars)
4. Jonathan Rosenbaum's Top 1000 Movies (public: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 36 stars)
5. Psychotronic Film and Video Guides (public: moderated by Gregzilla - 36 stars)
6. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2012 revision) (public: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 25 stars)
7. They Shoot Pictures' Recommended Viewing (public: moderated by Cinephile - 18 stars)
8. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2011 revision) (public: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 14 stars)
9. Slant Magazine's 100 Essential Films (public: moderated by nexus - 13 stars)
10. Doubling The Canon (public - 13 stars)
11. TimeOut's 1000 films to change your life (public: moderated by ppinocchio - 11 stars)
12. Pre-Code (public: moderated by edsu - 8 stars)
13. Jonathan Rosenbaum's Alternative Top 100 (public: moderated by iconogassed - 6 stars)
14. The Gentlemen's Guide To Midnight Cinema Podcast (public: moderated by Coheed - 6 stars)
15. Universal Horror (public: moderated by von krogh - 5 stars)
16. Occult (public: moderated by mattburgess - 5 stars)
17. The Lost Picture Show Podcast (public: moderated by Coheed - 2 stars)
18. Cat (public: moderated by djross - 1 star)
19. The Overlook Film Encyclopedia: Horror 1930s (public: moderated by RoyalB - 1 star)
20. Cult Movies (Danny Peary) (public: moderated by iconogassed - 1 star)
21. Leaving Criterion Channel 11/30/20 (public: moderated by CCLZA)
22. Empire's 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time (private: Ross - 36 stars)
23. Cinema Discusso Yearly Consensus (2008) (private: PeaceAnarchy - 10 stars)
24. "Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments" (private - 3 stars)
25. A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss (private: kylie - 2 stars)
26. Horror (private: horrorjames - 2 stars)
27. Movies to See: Horror/Suspense (private: Lord Moe - 1 star)
28. Filmspotting Ratings Project: Week 31 (private: PeaceAnarchy)
29. Horror/Suspense Movies I Own (private: Lord Moe)
30. HDD 151029 (private: caffe)
31. VHS Collection (private: SageSledge)
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33. New Beverly Cinema (private: xmoffx)
Browse the full list of collections
Date | User | Rating | |
Feb 22 | ![]() |
overrated | 42 33% |
Feb 03 | cyber_turnip | 70 72% |
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Feb 01 | ![]() |
Byder | 43 15% |
Jan 30 | ![]() |
Roshambo | 30 6% |
Jan 29 | ![]() |
Mentaculus | 77 66% |
Some of the most enigmatic and brutal sexual politics I’ve ever seen in a film. There’s a manual of deviance the characters share, yet left unread to the viewer - figures of living but dead men loom dominantly over images of women, yet recoil at their touch. One woman is beaten to death, as the other listens as a prepared sacrifice. There’s something about satanism somewhere but the overall dread of violation is far more frightening.
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Jan 24 | ![]() |
jbissell | 75 45% |
Jan 24 | Shotane | 71 43% |
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Jan 21 | kjones77 | 80 71% |
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Jan 20 | ![]() |
wetwillies | 85 57% |
Viewed January 17, 2021.
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Jan 17 | StubobEDSBS | 75 0% |
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Dec 30, 2020 | zakkyliar | 70 53% |
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Nov 14, 2020 | ![]() |
NathanBates | 60 34% |
This shouldn't work: the plot offers about a dozen wildly improbable diversions, the music is annoyingly overpowering, and Boris and Bela can't seem to decide whether they want to act scary or just awkward. But it's hilarious in a campy sort of way, the sets are quite impressive, and it's short enough that you don't feel like the time was wasted.
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Nov 13, 2020 | ![]() |
ikkegoemikke | 45 23% |
Oct 22, 2020 | jamienelson | 60 22% |
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Oct 14, 2020 | ![]() |
vishal8492 | 47 49% |
Oct 12, 2020 | rospo | 54 29% |
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Oct 09, 2020 | Tarnop | 52 14% |
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Oct 01, 2020 | ![]() |
ctavares | 55 26% |
Sep 28, 2020 | ![]() |
Opio | 50 36% |
Sep 24, 2020 | Grandaddy | 55 17% |
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Sep 10, 2020 | zrh1501 | 75 61% |
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Sep 06, 2020 | dracular | 30 14% |
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Aug 27, 2020 | ![]() |
Siltem | 62 58% |
Aug 24, 2020 | ![]() |
Wolfbrother | 80 51% |
Aug 19, 2020 | jphoff4 | 70 10% |
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Aug 17, 2020 | Fulgance | 60 24% |
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Aug 14, 2020 | posetitel | 70 50% |
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Aug 04, 2020 | hertzfeldts | 29 8% |
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Jul 29, 2020 | placestogo | 55 45% |
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55.1.
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Jul 29, 2020 | UgDemirelce | 62 30% |
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Jul 29, 2020 | flipperrbm | 6 74% |
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Jul 05, 2020 | ![]() |
zzzorf | 50 26% |
Jun 13, 2020 | ![]() |
hotsake | 60 49% |
The story isn't that good or even memorable but both Karloff and Lugosi are good and seem to be having a lot of fun and made this movie work as well as it did.
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Jun 13, 2020 | D Lightman | 60 41% |
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May 23, 2020 | ![]() |
Hyperion+ | 2 21% |
May 03, 2020 | ![]() |
DeLarge | 80 20% |
Apr 20, 2020 | metalrocker | 65 36% |
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Apr 18, 2020 | konekonoir | 45 43% |
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Apr 01, 2020 | ![]() |
TheShiznit | 56 70% |
Mar 18, 2020 | ![]() |
cascade | 52 17% |
Mar 01, 2020 | TheBreather | 80 72% |
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Feb 24, 2020 | ![]() |
meliorism | 65 34% |
Feb 22, 2020 | noracharles | 70 17% |
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Feb 15, 2020 | Coheed | 70 59% |
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Jan 07, 2020 | ![]() |
Ammar44 | 75 46% |
Dec 08, 2019 | ![]() |
trvsdjhnsn | 5 75% |
Nov 05, 2019 | brennanc | 13 47% |
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Oct 25, 2019 | ![]() |
clayj41 | 73 60% |
Oct 13, 2019 | ![]() |
StoveTanker | 60 49% |
Oct 12, 2019 | ![]() |
norval_jones | 80 65% |
Oct 12, 2019 | ![]() |
Trooth | 59 29% |
Technically the main characters are the young married couple, but the real draw is Lugosi and Karloff acting like an old married couple.
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Oct 11, 2019 | ![]() |
FreddieQuell | 45 29% |
Oct 11, 2019 | ![]() |
Lionel Hutz | 34 31% |
Aug 30, 2019 | Mathijsvdm | 70 29% |
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Aug 24, 2019 | sven_usling | 70 61% |
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Aug 04, 2019 | ![]() |
VanillaSky | 50 37% |
Aug 04, 2019 | ![]() |
julesfmb | 67 71% |
Jul 07, 2019 | ![]() |
Zainou | 80 81% |
Jun 24, 2019 | tommy_leazaq | 64 76% |
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Jun 19, 2019 | ![]() |
nobamba | 30 14% |
Needs a rewatch since I wasn't paying attention. Overbearing score. Fav scene: guy breaking through the screen with the shadow of a cat imposed upon him.
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Jun 08, 2019 | Geslimmar | 50 38% |
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May 31, 2019 | ![]() |
flowing | 43 29% |
Apr 23, 2019 | AHALE80 | 60 9% |
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Apr 07, 2019 | TheRuins | 80 95% |
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Mar 23, 2019 | ![]() |
Brewster | 60 63% |
Mar 14, 2019 | napolenbrady | 79 6% |
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79.00
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Mar 05, 2019 | mate_cosido | 90 91% |
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Feb 20, 2019 | UXX3 | 60 43% |
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Jan 19, 2019 | ![]() |
jokevv | 60 41% |
Jan 04, 2019 | gossamer2019 | 57 35% |
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Jan 01, 2019 | knives | 91 97% |
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Dec 05, 2018 | mathiasa | 60 60% |
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Dec 01, 2018 | ![]() |
Dennis Li | 3 61% |
Nov 11, 2018 | ![]() |
brianrobot | 3 34% |
Oct 31, 2018 | ![]() |
TychoCelchuu | 79 39% |
Oct 04, 2018 | ![]() |
Eignarom | 79 72% |
Sep 23, 2018 | ![]() |
Robart | 60 51% |
Sep 21, 2018 | ![]() |
donmateo | 51 30% |
Aug 24, 2018 | ![]() |
Mr. Mxyzptlk | 100 0% |
Aug 09, 2018 | ![]() |
Fritz Fass | 80 71% |
Aug 06, 2018 | Diggler | 68 40% |
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Jul 26, 2018 | ![]() |
CMQuinn | 90 88% |
Jun 01, 2018 | allneonslike | 60 44% |
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May 13, 2018 | DLawrence | 79 68% |
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May 10, 2018 | ![]() |
VengefulKBM | 75 63% |
May 01, 2018 | John Milton | 80 87% |
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Apr 25, 2018 | ![]() |
driscarpin | 85 78% |
Samba do criolo doido do caraleo, mistura Poe, com Barba Azul e satanismo, mas o know-ho do Ulmer salta compreensivamente aos olhos. HQTVRip no MakingOff.
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Apr 20, 2018 | fictionfitz | 61 40% |
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Apr 16, 2018 | AchwellFoley | 75 80% |
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Mar 24, 2018 | RottenT | 87 68% |
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Mar 10, 2018 | gackt | 60 28% |
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Mar 05, 2018 | ![]() |
manwhonose | 93 69% |
Mar 04, 2018 | ![]() |
INDYATMN | 73 32% |
With a script that occasionally ceases to make sense (why does Lugosi feel the need to wait for revenge when he has the gun & the goon?), implausible contrivances & the usual lack of subtlety when it comes to the era, this hasn't aged well at all. Still, it's easy to see why this is so praised. In addition to some striking black & white cinematography, all the "monsters" here are reality-based (kidnappers, satantic cults) which makes all this feel much more disturbing & decades ahead of its time
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Feb 26, 2018 | ![]() |
Æneαs | 70 44% |
Feb 03, 2018 | OgreZed | 60 25% |
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Jan 25, 2018 | ![]() |
MoonSylver | 8 60% |
Jan 07, 2018 | M-B-M | 7 87% |
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Dec 23, 2017 | LordCouture | 55 46% |
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Dec 20, 2017 | Systematicer | 30 8% |
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Nov 30, 2017 | ![]() |
Mulholland | 70 59% |
Nov 29, 2017 | Cocoa | 50 26% |
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Nov 22, 2017 | imaginaryoct | 73 67% |
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Nov 17, 2017 | ![]() |
teaty666 | 80 95% |
Oct 11, 2017 | ![]() |
rklenseth | 80 80% |
Sep 08, 2017 | Arberwaticus | 96 78% |
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Aug 31, 2017 | izwt936g | 68 58% |
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Aug 24, 2017 | ![]() |
khorst | 70 31% |
Jul 15, 2017 | ![]() |
Asm Nabil | 65 38% |
Jun 30, 2017 | ![]() |
bybrt | 55 34% |
Jun 25, 2017 | Martin2067 | 80 49% |
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Jun 14, 2017 | ![]() |
LB94 | 75 36% |
Jun 09, 2017 | ![]() |
inmate | 72 33% |
May 26, 2017 | ![]() |
izlandik | 65 20% |
Apr 13, 2017 | kupfertj | 75 62% |
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Apr 12, 2017 | ![]() |
letterboxdvo | 35 59% |
Mar 20, 2017 | cayh | 75 60% |
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Mar 11, 2017 | ![]() |
RYM-byrates | 67 68% |
Mar 11, 2017 | ![]() |
ptkw | 80 94% |
Feb 26, 2017 | ![]() |
porzano | 50 47% |
Feb 25, 2017 | ![]() |
mCihhh | 60 37% |
Jan 27, 2017 | ![]() |
lineuphere | 72 45% |
Jan 23, 2017 | Buff | 40 43% |
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Jan 19, 2017 | ![]() |
JJ1986 | 50 29% |
Jan 15, 2017 | cshadows2887 | 88 31% |
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Jan 14, 2017 | mjbreuer | 60 35% |
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Dec 23, 2016 | robochaa | 60 27% |
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Nov 24, 2016 | gregmnewman | 70 26% |
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Nov 17, 2016 | Ronin22 | 62 73% |
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Oct 30, 2016 | ![]() |
xanderbisc | 45 34% |
Oct 29, 2016 | ![]() |
peekingpanda | 40 38% |
Oct 15, 2016 | filmcricket | 78 88% |
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Oct 15, 2016 | ![]() |
Icarus | 84 75% |
A bizarre--in the best sense--exploration of fear and deviance and a culture of death, and the results these things have on those who practice or are scarred by them. Ulmer's camera highlights the cavernous spaces within the house, a place where, literally and figuratively, the war has never ended. The high ceilings and stone walls make for an imposing atmosphere that contributes to the sense of helplessness felt by the "innocent" American couple.
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Oct 10, 2016 | ![]() |
adamj1982 | 70 58% |
Oct 10, 2016 | KirkJiggler | 8 56% |
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Oct 06, 2016 | ![]() |
Nroo | 77 68% |
Oct 05, 2016 | ![]() |
saudade | 40 12% |
Oct 04, 2016 | ![]() |
Evan D | 85 83% |
Sep 30, 2016 | ![]() |
clowngirl | 67 52% |
Sep 22, 2016 | ![]() |
Maaxwell | 50 24% |
Sep 13, 2016 | ![]() |
NightGoat72 | 60 61% |
Sep 12, 2016 | ![]() |
opium_den | 100 89% |
Aug 29, 2016 | strangelime | 80 52% |
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Aug 27, 2016 | ticklemonstr | 70 64% |
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Aug 24, 2016 | FilmStar** | 95 75% |
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Aug 16, 2016 | Lonewolf2003 | 78 68% |
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Aug 15, 2016 | SEE-MIDD | 72 58% |
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Jul 13, 2016 | eddiewinslow | 70 44% |
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Jul 04, 2016 | Col_Needham | 70 47% |
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Jul 04, 2016 | MrWhiplash | 100 88% |
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Jun 23, 2016 | EmiGrecco | 50 14% |
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Mar 27, 2016 | ![]() |
Steamlord | 80 79% |
Feb 23, 2016 | ![]() |
FrancoGonzo | 9 39% |
Star Rating: ★★★
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Feb 15, 2016 | sahume2029 () | 72 68% |
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Jan 22, 2016 | Gossamer | 1 32% |
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Jan 20, 2016 | ![]() |
pmcinern | 60 30% |
Dec 30, 2015 | ![]() |
MUBIvotes | 37 67% |
Dec 15, 2015 | ![]() |
robot2xl | 75 96% |
Dec 02, 2015 | ![]() |
r/TrueFilm | 60 17% |
Nov 27, 2015 | coroner | 80 83% |
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Nov 21, 2015 | jamesbond | 47 13% |
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Nov 12, 2015 | CRM_114 | 70 55% |
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Nov 11, 2015 | ![]() |
maksler | 60 24% |
Oct 24, 2015 | ![]() |
monclivie | 69 35% |
Sep 22, 2015 | gossamer2 | 63 46% |
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Aug 31, 2015 | ![]() |
AngieBela | 100 88% |
Aug 23, 2015 | Patatuela | 30 2% |
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Jul 20, 2015 | bensonmum2 | 100 99% |
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Jul 20, 2015 | WilliamOTyle | 60 35% |
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Jul 18, 2015 | prichards | 80 71% |
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Jul 16, 2015 | SleepTight | 10 3% |
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Jul 15, 2015 | thirdeye42 | 79 85% |
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Jun 24, 2015 | RodopLu | 66 55% |
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Jun 18, 2015 | ![]() |
russalka | 87 76% |
Jun 05, 2015 | W Trumbull | 80 80% |
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May 31, 2015 | ![]() |
LuxNatalis | 69 74% |
May 19, 2015 | zetes | 90 82% |
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May 13, 2015 | preppy-3 | 100 94% |
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May 13, 2015 | ![]() |
Hadzibegovic | 50 11% |
May 10, 2015 | boothmillard | 80 84% |
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May 09, 2015 | JoeB131 | 80 87% |
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May 09, 2015 | TRobertson | 60 63% |
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Apr 29, 2015 | isduarte | 70 50% |
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Apr 29, 2015 | ![]() |
thewire | 86 84% |
Apr 24, 2015 | OldAle1 | 80 61% |
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Mar 15, 2015 | 10kfilms | 67 62% |
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Feb 25, 2015 | Truffaut16 | 65 34% |
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Jan 29, 2015 | LosWochos | 87 52% |
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Jan 18, 2015 | Saintpumpkin | 90 62% |
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Dec 27, 2014 | ![]() |
helin | 70 30% |
Nov 27, 2014 | flund | 9 17% |
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Oct 29, 2014 | ![]() |
MrsEmmaPeel | 75 47% |
Oct 09, 2014 | ![]() |
paah | 80 83% |
Oct 05, 2014 | ![]() |
Findiel | 93 88% |
Aug 24, 2014 | ![]() |
RadioFreeLee | 77 55% |
Aug 03, 2014 | ![]() |
jackinthebox | 60 36% |
Aug 02, 2014 | ![]() |
SickForay | 75 66% |
Aug 02, 2014 | ![]() |
Yiannos | 68 63% |
(Rewatched: 23/08/20): Lugosi and Karloff are great, but there are script problems which prevent this evocatively filmed, quasi-psychological horror from scaling the extraordinary heights it should. Definitely worth a look for fans of the two horror legends though as they have several noteworthy scenes together, and there is a genuine attempt to reinterpret Poe in the context of post-WW1 trauma.
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Jun 05, 2014 | ![]() |
JakeAesthete | 57 56% |
Undeniably extremely silly, but at the same time it's pretty absurd to consider this was one of the most successful films of 1934. It really does come across like a very goofy Guy Maddin fever dream more than anything else (it doesn't surprise me at all that both he and Raoul Ruiz are huge fans). Or possibly like Dreyer's Vamypr but way more fun to watch. It sort of skirts the line between ironically campy and genuinely intriguing, but at least the final moments are deliciously self-aware.
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May 12, 2014 | ![]() |
krf7 | 70 47% |
May 09, 2014 | ![]() |
auhasarderik | 5 23% |
Apr 08, 2014 | ![]() |
gwynplaine | 90 84% |
Mar 29, 2014 | RobG | 88 74% |
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Mar 26, 2014 | ![]() |
The Tuss | 70 67% |
Mar 25, 2014 | glm01 | 86 87% |
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86.000
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Mar 09, 2014 | Adobe Slats | 52 51% |
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Feb 25, 2014 | arzinger | 80 86% |
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Feb 09, 2014 | ![]() |
ChrisReynold | 63 56% |
Feb 08, 2014 | henrisepp | 70 79% |
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Jan 31, 2014 | ![]() |
bizarre_eye | 87 93% |
Jan 12, 2014 | ![]() |
PassTheSalt | 51 50% |
Jan 11, 2014 | ![]() |
gargantua | 77 75% |
Dec 31, 2013 | ![]() |
GrimsChild | 30 15% |
Dec 08, 2013 | Dicke_Taube | 70 61% |
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Dec 01, 2013 | ![]() |
joachimt | 70 66% |
Nov 27, 2013 | HVM | 60 32% |
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Nov 09, 2013 | ![]() |
Tiago Vieira | 80 60% |
Oct 17, 2013 | ![]() |
Marte Olsen | 74 49% |
Oct 10, 2013 | ![]() |
Communicants | 80 73% |
Sep 17, 2013 | Mattsdmf | 78 59% |
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Sep 09, 2013 | Barkinson | 60 62% |
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Aug 28, 2013 | ![]() |
anthony v | 88 42% |
Aug 28, 2013 | ![]() |
theWizard | 7 65% |
Aug 10, 2013 | ![]() |
Sheldrake | 80 86% |
Jul 17, 2013 | DrinkMilk | 45 34% |
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Jul 16, 2013 | donquixotic | 70 77% |
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Jul 16, 2013 | ![]() |
Moribunny | 43 30% |
Notable for pitting Bela Lugosi against Boris Karloff. Nice pacing, but the script is trite and Vitus (Lugosi) ends up deciding to do something unlikely and against character, just to contrive a grand finish.
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Jun 17, 2013 | ![]() |
Amadeus | 65 20% |
great make-up and close up.
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May 02, 2013 | sweetpeas | 75 68% |
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Apr 28, 2013 | ![]() |
Demorest | 3 46% |
Apr 16, 2013 | soybomb42 | 82 51% |
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Apr 14, 2013 | ![]() |
Henrik | 55 31% |
The paper thin story is a complete bore and nothing unusual. Nice expressionist lighting here and there and fun to see Lugosi and Karloff together, both giving fairly strong performances. But still, not worth the 65 minutes.
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Apr 12, 2013 | ![]() |
Lobo_Lopez | 85 87% |
Mar 22, 2013 | ![]() |
SirRobbie | 60 24% |
Mar 18, 2013 | Cronos | 50 42% |
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Mar 13, 2013 | ![]() |
Ayizan | 80 30% |
Feb 25, 2013 | PUNQ | 70 96% |
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What a dream-team! Dracula and Frankenstein meet! No wonder this was a box office hit. And as visually creepy as it gets. They did a wonderful job with each shot making it both super modern and old school goth, mixing the styles effectively. And what chills as we got our first glance at Karloff. Few men has looked so damn evil! The end was unsatisfactory. With such careful build-up slowly grasping the dark atmosphere they lost focus on making a great finish to match the rest of their creation.
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Feb 24, 2013 | ![]() |
chadisdanger | 83 71% |
Feb 10, 2013 | ![]() |
iyisinek | 60 19% |
Tren, kompartiman, trafik kazasi, büyük ev, satanist ev sahibi, satanist ayini, roman yzari, evde kalmaya zorlanmak (yeni evli çift balayina çikarken trendeki görevli bir yanlislik oldugunu ve bir beyfendinin kendileriyle yolculuk yapamayacagini sorar. Adam uzun yillar esaret altinda yasamistir. Trenden inerler. Otobüse binerler. Arac kaza yapar. Orada tanidiklari bir eve siginirlar.... )
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Feb 07, 2013 | ![]() |
Läuft. | 74 50% |
Jan 31, 2013 | ![]() |
sergebarber | 60 50% |
Jan 17, 2013 | ![]() |
kafkalamak | 70 36% |
Dec 05, 2012 | ![]() |
sebby | 70 71% |
Nov 27, 2012 | Malcym | 6 54% |
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Nov 26, 2012 | synthono | 70 19% |
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Nov 21, 2012 | ![]() |
mattburgess | 78 83% |
Nov 18, 2012 | punk_dfc | 71 71% |
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Nov 15, 2012 | Ronin21 | 76 56% |
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Nov 08, 2012 | ![]() |
Abba | 76 61% |
Nov 02, 2012 | plantedtrees | 80 61% |
Displaying 1 to 250 of 392 total ratings: Prev | Next
Average Percentile 53.99% from 392 Ratings | ![]() |