Cauchemar au 13ème étage

Nightmare on the 13th Floor is an entertaining movie - the plot is good and the story moves at just the right pace to keep the viewer absorbed. There are definitely some tense moments in this creepy and suprisingly intelligent film that make it as exciting as a horror movie should be, but with an added mysterious twist - and it's trying to work out the mystery that keeps you watching! Unfortunately, there are a few things about this movie that let it down - namely the pathetically low budget it must have been shot on. The 'special effects' are practically non-existent and the few there are look embarrassingly fake, making a joke out of some of the scariest moments in the film. That said, the set design is pretty good, especially on the 13th Floor, with its tatty gothic furnishings and maze of dimly lit corridors. The characters are interesting and varied, and the script never seriously falters. The acting is satisfactory and what you would expect from a made-for-TV movie, but no one really stands out. Overall, I'd say that if you see Nightmare on the 13th Floor in the TV listings and make an effort to watch it, you won't be disappointed - just don't expect a masterpiece in terms of cinematography!

This is a decent mystery about a hotel with a secret hidden floor. A travel journalist called Elaine discovers this floor when she is trapped in an elevator lift. She hears old-style ragtime music and sees that the area is gas-lit and candlelit as from an earlier era. She is convinced that she has witnessed a murder but has difficulty convincing anyone that it was for real. She recognises some boots with silver toes from the murder scene and fancies she has traced them to a derelict site near the hotel. There is a good sense of rich people living in close proximity to the down-and-outs dossing in alleyways. There is an abrupt jump in the telling of the story roundabout the 50 minute mark where it takes on a complete new twist. Elaine does seem to suddenly gather a lot of information from somewhere at this point. Also some of the reveals come a bit too early for my liking. So I think fans of the old-style mysteries will like this although they may get the feeling the story could have been told somewhat better. Pick of the characters is the sneering Letti of the hotel staff played by Louise Fletcher.

This rather obscure but enjoyable none the less horror is an interesting little creature.

It tells the story of a hotel with no 13th floor where people keep mysteriously vanishing. Well when our heroine is involved in an accident and believes she see's a man murdered she sets about investigating.

I liked the idea, it's original and quite fascinating. Is it utilized to it's potential? No, not so much but it's such a good idea it survives regardless.

This is one of the those movies which could do with being remade. Not because the original isn't enjoyable, but because the original is obscure and perhaps didn't get the break it deserves.

Flawed but enjoyable little tale.

The Good:

Very original

Some great ideas

The Bad:

Odd final scene

Doesn't flow all that well

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

Most hotels don't have a 13th floor, even the ones that actually do

Ageing has a department

Counting floors while in the elevator is a skill only law professionals can manage

I first saw this movie about 2 years ago, it was awesome! For a recently made film, it really had a spook factor. With the low lights and all that red on the 13th floor really added to the drama of it. I am glad it's on video, when I first tried to find it after I saw it on TBS, I was disappointed that it was a made for TV movie, and they usually didn't put those on video until recently..

I remember the reporter going on the 13th floor, and just the drama of her heart racing, just wondering what was around the corner. This is the kind of movie a guy can take a gal to and really spook her. It just has that factor to it. (if the girl is easily spooked of course)

This was a very good movie, i watch it every time its on. A girl (michelle Greene) is staying at this hotel and finds that the elevator stops at a floor wich is the 13th. She sees a dead body on the floor and then passes out and when she wakes up she tells the hotel workers what she saw and they don't believe her and tell her it was from being hit on the head but she finds that there is a 13th floor and with a little help from some people she finds that its used for cult rituals. Also the doctor she falls in love with may be in on it. its a very good interesting grabbing movie, kinda makes you think twice about staying at a hotel your unfamiliar with.