The Ghoul

Disappointingly dull bit of early 30's horror. Sadly, the background story of this re-discovered lost film may be a bit more interesting than the actual movie itself. Although certainly watchable enough, there isn't too much really memorable about this spooky thriller. That is except maybe for the weird comedic relief character, and her uncomfortably obvious sheikh fetish, like she'd been using her copy of "One Thousand and One Nights" as an erotic novel on the nightly.

Standard, by-rote entry in the 30s horror film cycle does little with its star Karloff, other than drag him out for a FRANKENSTEIN-esque destruction sequence. The first half is quite spooky, especially during Karloff's dying scene, and the fine cast keeps things boiling along, with some amusing dialogue exchanges.

What a treat! A recovered and restored British horror starring Boris Karloff. Though not on the level of the Universal Horrors of the 1930's, still a fun and creepy entry.

A solid thriller which bridges the gap between the "old dark house" thrillers of the silent era and the genuinely supernatural horrors of the talkies.

A pretty unfocused mishmash. Starts out like The Mummy, then becomes The Old Dark House, with Karloff unfortunately not on hand overmuch. Has some names, but hardly any plot. (Great exchange: "You may be putting yourself perilously near dishonesty." "I've seen men nearer.")

Atmospheric but often painfully slow.

In a lot of ways it's the movie The Old Dark House should have been. There's some great humor and the twists are rather unexpected. Typical '30s weird menace done right.

Dry and rather dull. Not nearly the classic that it was believed to be while it was still a "lost film."

Story-wise there's too many treasure hunters; contrivances (exactly what is the timing on the characters' traveling between the Ghoul's home & the girl's?); & plotholes (how did the priest get into the tomb? & so, Karloff DID come back to life w/ super strength, but he died again even though he was tricked?), but it looks great, exactly what I want from old horror. It also has Karloff, Thesiger & clever dialogue & except for the romance it's unpredictable. The women also do more than faint.

Britain's first sound horror mostly plays as a inferior copy of Universal horrors of that era, including an underutilized Boris Karloff.

The movie is low-budget cheese but the acting is very stiff and you can tell it's an early horror talkie.

Atmospheric early horror with some comic relief and Orientalist stereotyping. Decent, if you accept it for what it is.

Britain's first sound horror flick! And they bring home Boris Karloff to play The Ghoul! So far so good. As for the actual movie. I felt it was slightly better then The Mummy (1932) which it most resemble. It's rather stunning beautiful production. However it did take a bit too long to get anywhere and probable it's main fault; They didn't get the characters interesting enough. Especially the hero leads. But as it stands it's an very interesting movie if you can stand the slow growth.

Dullsville at times, but still pretty cool.