The Terror (1963)
Andre Duvalier, a soldier in Napoleon's army played by Jack Nicholson, becomes lost on the Baltic coast. He collapses from exhaustion and is awakened by a young woman, played by Sandra Knight, who leads him to fresh water. Andre is captivated by her, but she disappears. He is nursed back to health by an elderly woman, played by Dorothy Neumann, and her mute servant. Duvalier learns that the mysterious young woman can be found at the castle of Baron von Leppe, played by Boris Karloff. He discovers that the baron is an aging recluse, still mourning the loss of his wife who passed away long ago. Andre recognizes the young woman's resemblance to a painting of the baron's deceased wife.
He later discovers that the old woman is actually a witch who is using the young woman as a tool for revenge against the baron for the murder of her son, Eric, twenty years ago, as he was in love with the baron's wife. Driven mad, the baron decides to drown himself and the young woman by flooding the castle's underground cellars. Andre rescues the girl just in time, but she transforms into a decaying corpse in his arms.
Books with substantial mentioning of The Terror
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Mikita Brottman (editor) Jack Nicholson, Movie Top Ten 2000 |
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James Robert Parish Ghosts and Angels in Hollywood Films, Plots, Critiques, Casts and Credits for 264 Theatrical and Made-for-Television Releases Jefferson, North Carolina, and London, 1994 |
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Welch Everman Cult Horror Films, From "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" to "Zombies of Mora Tau" Secaucus, N.J., 1993 |
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Scott Allen Nollen Boris Karloff, A Critical Account of His Screen, Stage, Radio, television and Recording Work Jefferson, NC, 1991 |
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Richard Bojarski and Kenneth Beals The Films of Boris Karloff Secaucus, NJ, 1974 |
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