Cast
View All
Basil Rathbone
as Richard - Duke of Gloucester
Boris Karloff
as Mord
Barbara O'Neil
as Queen Elyzabeth
Ian Hunter
as King Edward IV
Vincent Price
as Duke of Clarence
Nan Grey
as Lady Alice Barton
Ernest Cossart
as Tom Clink
John Sutton
as John Wyatt
Leo G. Carroll
as Lord Hastings
Miles Mander
as King Henry VI
Lionel Belmore
as Beacon - a Chamberlain
Rose Hobart
as Anne Neville
Ronald Sinclair
as Boy King Edward
John Herbert-Bond
as Young Prince Richard
Ralph Forbes
as Henry Tudor
Crew
Director
- Rowland V. Lee
Producer
- Rowland V. Lee
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Drama/History/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Tower of London presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Rowland V. Lee brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1939, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Tower of London took approximately 30 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 92 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 137 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1676 individual shots.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 1939, when this film was released:
- Rock and roll music was revolutionizing popular culture.
- The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Tower of London shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Funeral, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Tower of London subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like King of the Ants and Spider Forest explore similar territory, Tower of London stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 17, 1939
- Runtime: 1h 32m
