Very well executed

Fantastic!

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Another slice of Edgar Allan Poe, served with extra relish for those of us who are fans of his work. The ubiquitous Vincent Price is on top form as the morose lead, a man who has sensitive eyes (and wears strange glasses) during the day, and is plagued with the memory of his dead wife by night. All of the usual elements from a Poe film are there, from haunting black cats (which actually are essential to the plot this time around) to graves being opened up.THE TOMB OF LIGEIA has a rich Gothic atmosphere, helped by the fact it was filmed in Britain, and good use is made of the Norfolk countryside and settings. The abbey is typically spooky, with secret rooms and passages. All actors and actresses are impeccable and complement the story, imbuing it with a sense of doomed realism from the start. We all know Price is a goner, but the film draws us into the mystery surrounding his wife until the startling and genuinely original ending (which mostly eliminates any supernatural suggestion, but leaves much open to our imagination).Roger Corman once again puts in those shots of burning timbers, in case you were wondering. The thing that really makes the film is Price himself, however; he is superb as the gloomy man trapped in his own fantasies, and his rich voice booms throughout the film in haunting grandeur. This is truly a film from a forgotten age, with a real magic that is rarely captured elsewhere; the genres of horror and romance are blended perfectly. I admit I wasn't expecting much when I put it on, but I have to say that it is now one of my favourites, and one of the best of the whole Corman/Poe cycle.

These Poe adaptations by Roger Corman are always fun. Vincent Price is a hoot in this one. As is the case with most of these protagonist, he is in perpetual agony. Here he has over sensitive eyes (in other films, it is his hearing). He frequently visits the tomb of his late wife, Ligeia. She was a raven haired beauty who led him by the nose. There is something strange about the tomb and about her death. Enter a pretty blonde lady of a chance taking spirit. For some reason she falls in love with this nut. He is spooky and almost strangles her at one point. But she is determined. The problem is that she is in competition with the dead ex. An issue I have with this film is how rambling the ending is. It goes on for the longest time. Obviously, it is about transmigration. By the way, what's with the fire that happens to be burning in the house. Is it a big fireplace or did I miss something? Anyway, it is always a pleasure to observe the perpetually pained Price mug and emote for the camera.

The films that immediately come to mind when considering Roger Corman's considerable cycle of Edgar Allen Poe adaptations are undoubtedly titles such as The Fall of the House of Usher (1960) and The Pit and The Pendulum (1961), both starring Vincent Price as a man psychologically torn by a past event or his looming fate, and both featuring the Gothic, set-based atmosphere that is now so celebrated by movie fans. The Tomb of Ligeia may be one of Martin Scorsese's all- time favourite horror movies, but it has been strangely, and unfairly, overlooked in the horror cannon.Price once again plays a man, Verden Fell, haunted by the death of his wife. While out fox-hunting one day, the young and boisterous Lady Rowena (Elizabeth Shepherd) comes across Verden in a graveyard, apparently looming over the grave of his wife, the mysterious Ligeia, and forced to wear protective glasses due to his failing eye sight. Rowena takes pity on him, and witnesses his psychological torment first hand, which is mainly due to the presence of a threatening cat and the idea that his dead wife is haunting him from the grave. The two eventually marry, but Rowena finds herself the subject of increasingly strange goings-on.Ligeia is noticeably different to the other entries into the Corman- Poe cycle, mainly due to it's use of exterior filming. While this causes it to lose the claustrophobic, and beautiful, sets of the likes of Usher and Pendulum, it makes for a spookier atmosphere. Price is excellent as always, as is Shepherd, but the blooming romance between their two characters suffers from a distinct lack of chemistry and the niggling problem of the glaring age-gap. However, Ligeia was written by Chinatown (1974) scribe and all-round Hollywood titan Robert Towne, so the absorbing dialogue more than makes up for the awkwardness between the two leads. Certainly a different experience, but Ligeia is up there with the very best of Corman's output.www.the-wrath-of-blog.blogspot.com

10/10, although my favorite movies are song and dance. I was watching this movie to see Vincent's creepy clothes for Halloween costuming ideas for a friend, plus I like to hear Vincent's creepy voice. I watched him as an ambitious, worldly priest in the Keys to the Kingdom (starring that awesome Gregory Peck -- yummmm). Price did not always act the horror master.Another horror master was Roger Corman, whom I hear was a renowned expert filmmaker and director. I am studying filmmaking coursework at university, presently.Enjoyed watching Elizabeth Shephard/Shepherd? in her dual role as Ligeia and Rowena. Elizabeth has quite a few emotions and theatrical shadings in her presentation. That takes quite a lot of talent and dedicated concentration.Also liked seeing Frank Thornton (RIP) as household staff, he of future Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served.The cat totally stole the show. This trained animal actor was very talented, and so cool when stealing the dark glasses and running off.Questions: Vincent had no British accent, so I find that a flaw. The description said Verden was a Victorian widower, but Queen Victoria did not reign until 1837. Ligeia died in 1821, so this is bogus. George IV and William IV reigned from 1820 to 1837. Was Verdell a widower past 1837? I don't think so. Victoria is infamous for architecture and lingerie. Some people still act post-Victorian in their mores and supposedly strait-laced attitudes. Verden's widowhood must have actually been pre-Victorian. I can't imagine he was widowed 1821-1837 (16 years). I am still watching the film, and via DVR have not been able to get quite finished.Costuming, props, makeup, hair, etc.: superb. Dark glasses: Look almost mid-1960s mod-London (out of time frame, but what the heck?). Mise-en-scenes: creepy graveyard among ruins; old mansions; fox and hounds. Good-looking cobwebbing in Verdell's abode. Fake-looking dead fox or bad taxidermy job. Elegant women's costuming. Vincent looks old and angry -- mentally disturbed at the beginning, wearing dark and gloomy widower's "weeds". On his wedding day to Rowena, he looks younger and happier, plus wears a light grey suit and looks years younger.I have read some of Edgar Allan Poe's works. IMHO he was alcoholic and a loser with women, plus he only lived to age 40. Still, he was a master writer whose works are still read and enjoyed. I am familiar with The Cask of Amontillado and The Raven. In my university history coursework, I find that his picture looks a lot like that of John Wilkes Booth.Vincent was also known as a famous gourmet chef and renowned art collector.