bagtown2002

Aside from Karloff being one of my favorite actors with his numerous character portrayals. Charles Laughton can compliment any script he was an outstanding talent. His character in The Strange Door highlights his ability for sophisticated characterization of a truly ruthless and vindictive man, it is outstanding and I am astonished by this films low marks. It gets an 8 from me and I even toyed with rating it higher. And of course there is Karloff I can't say enough about his talents. The Gothic atmosphere all the secret passageways make for a great castle adventure. I purchased this film in a Boris Karloff collection which includes The Tower of London and 4 or 5 other great Karloff films but once again Laughton is by far the great talent in this Gothic horror flick from the early 50s.

I have found so often in the fantasy genre very few well done films. Most are second grade B movies. I recommend Willow to any fantasy film buff. Highly entertaining, great effects and acting even by the baby. Val Kilmer is suited for so many roles and his role as Madmartigan in this film is no exception. Jean Marsh's role as Queen Bavmorda is similar in ways that remind me somewhat of the evil queen in the Snow White story (only meaner). And of course we must not forget the role of the dwarf Willow Ufgood (the hero of the story) played by midget Warwick Davis. This film held my attention through out it gets an all around 10 from me.

This is a really badly dubbed movie as far as the english dialogue is concerned. I don't know how it is in Italian but the English version uses the word COWARD in what seems like every other sentence. I have heard better dialogue in a Speed Racer Cartoon. Its not to bad if you like to see muscle men running around in technicolor miniskirts. Its also good for a few unintentional laughs for bad movie watchers such as myself. I rated this movie a 2 only because believe it or not I've seen worse. COWARDS!!! Sincerely bagtown 2002