The read
It runs a compact 1h 10m.
Synopsis
In a 16th-century European town, the ruling family has been given a prophecy that, should there ever be twin boys born, the younger will murder the older; so is dismayed when twins are born to the popular baron. The older grows to be a selfish, slovenly man, who inherits the castle at his father's death and becomes ruler over the formerly happy villagers. He enjoys his power until he learns his younger brother is returning from abroad and, afraid of the prophecy, he determines to murder his sibling, hide his body in the "black room" - an old torture chamber sealed away behind the fireplace - and then impersonate him, right down to his withered arm. In this way he hopes to not only avoid the prophecy, but also escape consequences of his other criminal deeds and obtain marriage to a local girl of the nobility...
Ratings
63 audience votes
Key crew
- Roy William NeillDirector
- Arthur StrawnScreenplay
- Henry MyersScreenplay
Cast
- Boris KarloffBaron Gregor de Berghman / Anton de Berghman
- Marian MarshThea Hassel
- Robert AllenLt. Albert Lussan
- Thurston HallCol. Paul Hassel
- Katherine DeMilleMashka
- John BucklerBeran - the gypsy
- Henry KolkerBaron de Berghman
- Colin TapleyPaul Hassel as a young lieutenant
- Torben MeyerPeter, the majordomo
- John GeorgeInn Waiter (uncredited)
- John BleiferFranz - Captured Assassin-Villager (uncredited)
- Marion LessingMaria the Chambermaid
