FilmGothic Classic Monsters Psychological

Tower of London1939

Name: Tower of London
Genre: Gothic, Classic Monsters, Psychological, Splatter & Gore
Released: 1939-11-17
Rating: 6.8

“See: VAST ARMIES CLASH BEFORE YOUR EYES! See: AXE-COLD MASTERS OF TREACHERY! See: DARK SECRETS BEHIND GRIM TOWERS! See: CRUELTY, COLD AS A HEADSMAN'S AXE! See: BLOOD BOILING, LUSTY EXCITEMENT!”

Directed by Rowland V. Lee

6.8

Crypt Score

Blended from 3 sources

IMDb 6.6Rotten Tomatoes 83%TMDB 6.1

✍ Review

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Year

1939

Runtime

92 min

Box Office

🏆 1 nomination

The premise

In the 15th century Richard Duke of Gloucester, aided by his club-footed executioner Mord, eliminates those ahead of him in succession to the throne, then occupied by his brother King Edward IV of England. As each murder is accomplished he takes particular delight in removing small figurines, each resembling one of the successors, from a throne-room dollhouse, until he alone remains. After the death of Edward he becomes Richard III, King of England, and need only defeat the exiled Henry Tudor to retain power.

Horror Vault's take

Set against the blood-soaked corridors of 15th-century England, this historical horror hybrid follows the ruthless Richard, Duke of Gloucester, as he claws his way toward the throne one murder at a time. At his side is Mord, a grotesque club-footed executioner who dispatches rivals with cold efficiency. The film stages history as Grand Guignol spectacle, leaning into darkness and dread rather than pageantry. With Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff leading a cast stacked with genre royalty, it remains a masterclass in villainous screen presence.

Content: Violence, Depictions Of Execution, Murder, Black-And-White Era Graphic Content