A brilliant film that helped define a genre

A Brilliant Conflict

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Yet another Gothic shocker, the ones that the Italians could make in their sleep by now. Once again events take place at a remote mansion, inhabited by sinister servants. Barbara Steele is on the receiving end of some nasty acts of violence before getting her revenge in the final reel. Sounds just like every other Italian Gothic film you've seen? You'd be right, and it's just as much fun.Once again the use of crisp black and white photography creates some stunning images with light and darkness battling for domination of the screen. Then again I watched this film in a widescreen, pristine print so I may just be biased. There's lots of creeping around in crypts and inexplicable noises in the distance, windows blowing open, etc. which help to give this film a nicely spooky atmosphere. This atmosphere is also increased by a beautiful, stately Gothic score by Ennio Morricone, one of the best composers of all time.The acting is good all round, only occasionally veering into ham. Barbara Steele once again gets to play a dual role, and also gets to dish out/be at the receiving end of some terrible torture. Indeed, the increased violence level here is what sets it apart from the other Gothic entries; while CASTLE OF BLOOD and contemporaries were happy to leave the violence implied and off screen, NIGHT OF THE DOOMED is happy to show some nasty torture in all its glory. One man has his face disfigured, another is burnt alive while tied to a chair, and there's a cruel hot poker moment in there too. The violence is only used occasionally, and there's nowhere near the amount that the blurb states, but it's shocking nonetheless. Steele also gets to wear some horrible makeup at the film's climax.Many people would complain that the pacing of this film is too slow, but I loved it. For the most part Steele thinks she is going insane, hearing noises in her head and dreaming of a murder. There's even an added sub-plot about a servant who seems to have come straight from COUNTESS Dracula and needs to have blood transfusions to keep her young. McDouglas is excellent as the stuffy, seemingly nice but cruelly evil husband, and even the dashing male lead is likable. The special effects are simple and effective; the only failure is a cheap-looking electrocution. Besides, when we have such classic moments as a man wiring up a bath to electrocute an enemy and an impaled heart being thrown in a fire, thereby dispelling the ghosts, it's easy to overlook these minor flaws. An excellent addition to your collection if you're a fan of Gothic cinema.

"Nightmare Castle" aka "The Faceless Monster" aka "Night of the Doomed" aka "Lovers Beyond the Grave" - whatever name you call the film it is a good Gothic horror Italian film.The copy of the film I have is dubbed in the English language quite good. It was hard to tell the film's language is in Italian so that is a credit to film's dubbers.The movie itself is quite fun and interesting to watch. We have a large creepy house, ghosts, a mad doctor, Jenny who is a woman seemingly going mad, greed, lust, revenge & murder - all are the makings for a good horror film.I have to say this IS a ghost film but the ghosts seem similar to zombies because they can be touched and pushed so I guess they can materialize and solidify their bodies into flesh again. Quite wicked these ghosts are towards those that have wronged them.BTW, Barbra Steele is good in this as usual. She play two roles with two very different personalities quite well: Muriel Arrowsmith / Jenny Arrowsmith.This film is one of those popcorn-flicks to watch on a "dark and stormy night". It's a very good b-rated Gothic horror.7/10

A man discovers that his no account wife is cheating on him, so he decides to take them out,, literally he takes their hearts out, and preserves them for the blood, this way he can make his lover more youthful. Soon after the wife's death the will is read and everything is left to her sister, and not to the husband,, well this definitely will not work for the husband so he starts to court the sister,, and then predictably drives her insane to her death in order to get the money from the estate. their is a lot of blood guts , and gore in this one,, not for the squeamish that's for sure,, Barbara Steele while not her greatest role,, she does very well with her part , and is sexy , and beautiful as ever, this is one woman I would definitely not want one my bad side, very fun flick.

*Spoiler/plot- 1965, The Faceless Monster, A mad scientist kills his wife and her lover, partly for revenge and partly for his experiments animating blood. A Gothic tale of murder and revenge from the grave.*Special Stars- Barbara Steel plays the wife.*Theme- Justice is for everyone.*Based on- 19th century ghost stories.*Trivia/location/goofs- Is online. Italian nobleman and his house.*Emotion- The horror aspects of this film are much better than the thin SF elements, with the haunting of the dead murdered lovers. This story 'feel' is very reminiscent of TV "Dark Shadows" or the E. A. Poe stories.