Castle of Blood (1964)/Hercules in the Haunted World (1961) in the PNW

Details: Written by: Mortado; Category: The 1960s in Northwest Cinemas

This is a collection of media from the initial runs of "Castle of Blood" (1964) in the Pacific Northwest. "Hercules in the Haunted World " (1961) was the co-feature.

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Castle of Blood (1964)
“Castle of Blood” is a 1964 Italian-French gothic horror film that invites viewers into a world where the boundary between the living and the dead blurs on one fateful night. The film follows the story of a skeptical journalist who, in a bid to prove the supernatural tales of Edgar Allan Poe wrong, accepts a wager to spend the night in a haunted castle on All Soul’s Eve. As the night progresses, the journalist encounters the castle’s former inhabitants, phantoms doomed to relive their last moments on the anniversary of their deaths. Among these spirits is a mysterious woman who seeks to help him survive the night. The film is noted for its atmospheric tension, chilling narrative, and the haunting performance of Barbara Steele, making it a cult classic in the horror genre.

Directors: Antonio Margheriti, Sergio Corbucci
Writers: Giovanni Grimaldi, Bruno Corbucci
Stars: Barbara Steele, Georges Rivière, Margrete Robsahm
Buy "Castle of Blood" (1964) DVD on Amazon (SPONSORED)

Hercules in the Haunted World (1961)
“Hercules in the Haunted World” is a 1961 Italian sword-and-sandal epic combining mythological adventure and supernatural intrigue. The film stars Reg Park as the legendary hero Hercules, who embarks on a perilous journey to the underworld to save his beloved. The plot thickens as Hercules discovers that his love’s affliction is tied to dark forces and a nefarious plot by the malevolent King Lico, played by Christopher Lee. Hercules must navigate a labyrinth of challenges, both physical and mystical, to retrieve a powerful artifact that holds the key to restoring peace and sanity. The film is celebrated for its imaginative set pieces, vibrant Technicolor cinematography, and dramatic score heightening the sense of adventure and danger. It remains a memorable entry in the genre, showcasing the enduring appeal of Hercules’ mythos.

Director: Mario Bava
Writers: Sandro Continenza, Mario Bava, Francesco Prosperi
Stars: Reg Park, Christopher Lee, Leonora Ruffo
Buy "Hercules in the Haunted World" (1961) bluray on Amazon (SPONSORED)
Buy "Hercules in the Haunted World" (1961) DVD on Amazon (SPONSORED)

September 15, 1964 ad (Portland)