An example of the inane dialogue in the film...
The story behind this film is a far-sight more interesting than the film itself. It is often lauded as the first British-made horror film, and it does appear to be the first one made in Britain in sound, at least. It was the first time that Boris Karloff had been back home in Britain, following twenty years or so in the States. The film was considered lost for decades, until a poor quality version of it was discovered in Eastern Europe. That was it for years, and cinephiles had to make do with that version. But then a forgotten vault was discovered at Shepperton studios in England in the 1980s, and a better quality version of the film was found. But had it never been found, we would not have been missing much...
Cinematographer Gunther Krampft shot the film. He also shot the masterpiece "Nosferatu", over ten years previous to this. While watching "The Ghoul", in between moments of fighting to stay awake and interested, the film reminded me of "Nosferatu" in some interior shots, by the use of shadows and set decoration. The black-and-white photography looks class, and it is little wonder when you see who the man was behind it. Just a pity about everything else in the film.
A make-up heavy Karloff has very little to do. The rest of the cast are a strange, quirky mix, but they fail to keep the film together, with a script and direction that is unmercifully dull.
The story behind this film is a far-sight more interesting than the film itself. It is often lauded as the first British-made horror film, and it does appear to be the first one made in Britain in sound, at least. It was the first time that Boris Karloff had been back home in Britain, following twenty years or so in the States. The film was considered lost for decades, until a poor quality version of it was discovered in Eastern Europe. That was it for years, and cinephiles had to make do with that version. But then a forgotten vault was discovered at Shepperton studios in England in the 1980s, and a better quality version of the film was found. But had it never been found, we would not have been missing much...
Cinematographer Gunther Krampft shot the film. He also shot the masterpiece "Nosferatu", over ten years previous to this. While watching "The Ghoul", in between moments of fighting to stay awake and interested, the film reminded me of "Nosferatu" in some interior shots, by the use of shadows and set decoration. The black-and-white photography looks class, and it is little wonder when you see who the man was behind it. Just a pity about everything else in the film.
A make-up heavy Karloff has very little to do. The rest of the cast are a strange, quirky mix, but they fail to keep the film together, with a script and direction that is unmercifully dull.