Jack Nicholson indulges in another pleasurably atmospheric outing in the throes of Roger Corman's 'Poe Cycle'...

Thrashing waves whip the cragged cliff-face a gothic portcullised castle stands upon. Thunderous claps of lightning illuminate an ominously dark night as a man shuffles along, following blood spats towards a comically unreal corpse. Shots of pirate skeletons akin to models in a funfair's haunted house accompany full opening credits as bizarre dove ghouls float across... The Terror begins as it means to go on with this opening sequence giving a good indication of what to expect.

Lieutenant Andre Duvalier (Nicholson), a Napoleonic solider separated from his regiment on the north German coast, dehydrated from the blazing sun, falls off his horse onto a beach where a beautiful maid captures his attention. Mysterious and of few words, Helene bewitches him. Cue montages of Duvalier running after her through a variety of terrain until she disappears into the sea and a bird of prey attacks him. Waking up to the care of an old woman, Duvalier is determined to find this speechless beauty and in doing so uncovers some dark secrets.

Husky voices; sudden rock falls; the repeated denial of Helene's existence; a chapel with all holy items removed; spell chanting; fog and mist; an unrelenting storm; a graveyard; hounds; bolting horses; extinguished candles; the sounds of doors being locked and of a distant violin all combine with surreal close-ups to create the spooky atmosphere the story fails to explain.

Castle owner Baron Von Leppe (Karloff) acts as the exceedingly contrived plot device, revealing why he hasn't left the walls of his castle for two years, among other things. His explanation is clear enough until The Terror takes several sudden rather brave plot twists akin to the kind M. Night Shyamalan is famous for, except in a clumsier, more confusing fashion. Although the story isn't exactly one of The Terror's strengths, uniting an actor and director who famously like to immerse themselves in the horror genre, and throwing in an early Jack Nicholson, makes for captivating viewing.

Considering the cheesy and now comically dated script, Nicholson plays Duvalier admirably, constantly and rather arrogantly making demands of his host: “Surely you wouldn't want to inconvenience a French officer.” Duvalier's first attempts at wooing Helene are laughable: “I'm a weary disillusioned soldier and you're the first decent sight I've seen in two months,” as are his later reassurances: “In Paris, they are doing wonderful things for the mind.”

Karloff's take on the troubled Baron is interesting, as despite Duvalier's repeated rudeness, he remains the good host - “an old man and his decaying memories” who recalls how “nobles have taken the daughters of peasants since the beginning of time.” Relative unknown Sandra Knight stars as Helene – the tortured beauty who spouts nonsensical drivel: “The Old One calls. The dark powers will set you free.”

Although flawed, The Terror has its moments and includes some imaginative death scenes and early special effects creating a dripping pig-faced corpse. As a low budget gothic horror B-movie lacking any actual “terror”, the film includes plenty of surreal arty shots and should satisfy Edgar Allan Poe fans.

In anticipation:

Director: Roger Corman, Francis Ford Coppola, Monte Hellman, Jack Hill, Jack Nicholson
Writers: Leo Gordon, Jack Hill
DVD and Blu-ray release date: Aug
Studio: Pegasus Entertainment
Number of discs: 1
Price: From £9.99
Running Time: 80 mins
Certificate: 12
Starring: Boris Karloff, Jack Nicholson, Sandra Knight

The Terror is out now.

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