The film begins with Sire Alain de Maletroit (Charles Laughton) meeting some of his employees at a pub (circa 1750 give or take a week). The agents indicate that they have found a real scoundrel--a horrible man who is a liar and debaucher. Why, you don't know, but they then set up this scoundrel to get into a fight an seemingly kill a man. Then, as he runs away, he's taken by carriage to Laughton's manor. It seems that the scoundrel has been recruited for a special job--to marry Laughton's niece in order to make her miserable! Why would Laughton's character do this? Well, it seems that 20 years earlier, a woman was supposed to marry him but instead ran off with his brother. Shortly afterwords, she died in childbirth (with the niece) and Laughton has plotted all those years to make his brother (who he keeps locked in the dungeon) and the niece miserable. Nice guy, huh?!
Boris Karloff is also in the film as one of Laughton's servants. However, he hates his master and wants to help the lady escape her mad Uncle's clutches. And, in a strange twist, the scoundrel turns out to be not such a bad guy after all, and he also vows to rescue the lady. Part of this is because he just saw the man he supposedly killed in the pub--and he knows that Laughton cannot be trusted. Part of this is because he's fallen for the niece.
For Laughton, this sort of film suits him. Never was he accused of being a subtle actor and here he could allow himself to be bombastic and cruel and eat up the scenery--he was a good choice for the role. Karloff, on the other hand, had a role that wasn't particularly complex or interesting--many actors could have handled this role just as well.
Overall, it's a cool little horror film--in particular, because the horror is man-made---usually the scariest kind! After all, Frankenstein or Dracula lack the cruelty that Laughton's character has. Despite this, the film isn't overly vivid--and this is a good thing. If the movie were done these days, the subtlety would all be gone and gore would replace it. Here, good writing and acting (minor concerns, I know) are allowed to shine--making for a very satisfying tale of revenge and evil.
Boris Karloff is also in the film as one of Laughton's servants. However, he hates his master and wants to help the lady escape her mad Uncle's clutches. And, in a strange twist, the scoundrel turns out to be not such a bad guy after all, and he also vows to rescue the lady. Part of this is because he just saw the man he supposedly killed in the pub--and he knows that Laughton cannot be trusted. Part of this is because he's fallen for the niece.
For Laughton, this sort of film suits him. Never was he accused of being a subtle actor and here he could allow himself to be bombastic and cruel and eat up the scenery--he was a good choice for the role. Karloff, on the other hand, had a role that wasn't particularly complex or interesting--many actors could have handled this role just as well.
Overall, it's a cool little horror film--in particular, because the horror is man-made---usually the scariest kind! After all, Frankenstein or Dracula lack the cruelty that Laughton's character has. Despite this, the film isn't overly vivid--and this is a good thing. If the movie were done these days, the subtlety would all be gone and gore would replace it. Here, good writing and acting (minor concerns, I know) are allowed to shine--making for a very satisfying tale of revenge and evil.