Movie Review: The Terror (1963)

A young French officer, Lieutenant Andre Duvalier, in the 18th century, is separated from his fellow officer and is roaming the Baltic coast beach on his horse. He collapses after seeing a mysterious woman and being attacked by a black bird.

He awakens in an old house with an old woman, Katrina, and her silent servant, Gustaf. Upon asking the old woman about the young woman he saw outside, she denies such a person exists.
Eventually, Andre's search for the woman leads him to the castle of the old and eccentric Baron Victor Frederick Von Leppe. The Baron tells him that no such woman exists now but shows him a painting of the woman he seeks. The woman was Baron's wife, Ilsa, who died twenty years before.

So ensues a tale of mystery, ghosts, murder, switched identity, witchcraft, and other supernatural forces.

The story jumps around so much that it confused me at times. I finally pieced it together and it's so simple! Corman made it more complicated than it should've been - probably to cover up the lack of story.

Boris Karloff is terrific as the Baron Victor Frederick Von Leppe, in one of his later roles at age 76. Karloff is ailing at this age but he still delivers his lines with superb accuracy as only he can.

Lt. Andre Duvalier, the catalyst of the movie, is played by a young, 26-year old Jack Nicholson, in one of his earliest roles. I am disappointed in his performance. He shows no emotion and delivers his lines without conviction. And, uh, Nicholson as a French officer? What was Corman thinking? I'm sorry but Nicholson just cannot play a French man at all.

Stefan, the baron's servant, is played by Dick Miller. As much as I like Miller, he just isn't meant for this role with his city voice and demeanor. I suppose that most actors aren't meant for their roles in this movie.

The old witch, Katrina, is played by Dorothy Neumann, also a veteran actress at the time and she worked with Karloff before. She is very good and realistic.

Helene and Ilsa The Baroness Von Leppe are played by the beautiful actress, Sandra Knight. She is just beautiful and spooky at the same.