i originally saw this movie a a boy at the old rialto theatre a part of a saturday afternoon matinée triple bill which also feature vincent price last man on earth and mario bava nightmare castle . i have nightmare about blood lusting ghost for a week afterwards . though i do not know it then and all three movie would prove to be classic of the genre . no wonder i be so scared . though all three film frighten me and it be castle of blood that have the most profound impact . it be the first on the bill . i do not even get to see it from the beginning a we be late get to the cinema and miss the first 20 minute of the movie . that lot to miss since the edit print only run about 79 minute ( the unedited run 87minutes ) . but despite this and the dark creepy atmosphere ( complete with ruined castle and fog enshroud cemetery and shadow and cobweb ) and gothic set design and strong acting and and suspense ( especially the last 20 minute ) scar the bejeepers out of me and make a lasting impression it take me year to finally get a copy of the film for my collection . since it be a french italian import and it wasn not a movie that show up on the late show in winnipeg . i couldn not quite remember the title ( remember i do not get to see the beginning of the film and be scar witless ) and and to make matter bad and the film have be release under literally a dozen different movie title ( aka danze macabre and coffin of terror and castle of terror and long night of terror and etc . ) and the usa or uk work title castle of blood be very generic and similar to dozen of other b horror and suspense film and make it illusive . but thanks to the internet and perseverance and i find it at last . what a treat to finally watch the film in it entirety after so many year . it may not have have quite the sheer emotional impact that it do when i be a boy and but a haunt house movie go and it stand up well and compare favourably to similar iconic film of the period such a the haunting and the innocent or black sunday and the film be a fine early effort of italian director antonio margheriti . it star 60 scream queen icon barbara steele and feature a well write screenplay by sergio corbucci about a sceptical writer ( george riviere ) who and on a bet and spend the night in haunt house and unsuspectingly become part of an annual ongoing ghostly story . the hypnotic steele be well cast a the ghostly love interest a be arturo dominici a dr. carmus and and margarete robsahm a julia . many of the trick margheriti employ to create the film eerie atmosphere ( cobweb and creaking door and fog and etc ) be bind to seem cliché to a modern audience and but they work far more effectively in black and white than they ever could in modern day colour . rather than use body count and special effect and the film create scar the old fashion way and rely on a good story and stylish direction and fine set production and interesting camera work and and strong acting performance . margheriti do a marvellous job take these element and build the film suspense a the horrify paranormal secret of the house gradually reveal itself to the unwitting writer . the film be not without fault . the pace drag at the beginning of the film ( ironically and the 20 minute i originally miss ) . this be probably worsen by synapse film effort to restore the film to it original length . though fan will likely appreciate the chance to see the film restore in term of the intro it may have be more of hindrance than a help . the english voice dub be merely passable and and in the restored scene and the language shift from english to french ( english subtitle provide ) which be sure to be annoy to some viewer . however and synapse film deserve kudos for the quality of the print . clearly some effort be put into it restoration and deservedly so . i enjoy the film immensely and highly recommend it to aficionados of 60 italian goth film and or anyone who enjoy a good ghost story . rob rheubottom winnipeg and mb canada .