Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Mabel Munoz Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

Blake Rivera If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Rainey Dawn To brag about the film: the sets, costuming, the overall look and feel to the film everything is beautiful. Lots of eye candy for those that enjoy Gothic atmosphere. ***************Spoiler***************** The disappointment: In the end of the film Sir Richard was not shocked at all to find out he had a murderous look-alike brother that was kept secret from him all these years. He seemed like he did not care at all nor was he surprised. I agree with another reviewer that Sir Richard was ill-tempered almost all the time and could have solved this mystery early on in the movie if he was calm and used his thinking skills. Apparently Sir Richard had the same uneven temperament his grandfather had -- while his twin(?) brother had the same anger problem plus the mental derangement of his grandfather. ************************************This movie had the potential to be an excellent film - I think it needed a bit more work on the script and character development. The movie is still worth watching if you like Gothic "ghost" stories and mysteries.6.5/10

rstef1 Though made at Shepperton Studios, this film follows the Hammer style rather closely, down to casting two Hammer film alumni, Heather Sears and Patrick Troughton from Phantom of the Opera.The period details are nicely rendered with lots of attention to small details like candle snuffing and moving a carriage up a rather steep incline. The costumes also look nice as does the beautiful estate where the action takes place. Unfortunately, that's the best this movie has going for it.Spoilers Ahead!!! Opening with a scene straight out of numerous Hammer horror films, a buxom young lady is chased through the woods at night by a shadowy killer. This scene is well done and has a jolting conclusion. The rest of the film slows down considerably with a rather tedious plot about someone trying to discredit and possibly drive Sir Richard mad. I've seen a few of these types of films before, and it quickly became apparent who was behind the plot. Once you see that supernatural forces are not at play, the list of suspects is very short indeed. The ending picks up a bit with not one but two late in the movie plot twists and a sword fight.Lead actor John Turner tends to over emote in his later scenes as he receives shock after shock in the (overly) elaborate plot to drive him mad. He starts chewing scenery and pretty much blows poor Heather Sears, in a nicely understated performance, off the screen, and I don't mean that in a good way. The supporting actors all do nicely, I just wish they had been given more to do.If you're looking for a Gothic style murder mystery with supernatural overtones, you could do much worse, but you could stick with a Hammer film like Hound of the Baskervilles and do much better.

The_Void The only film I'd seen from director Robert Hartford-Davis prior to seeing this sixties flick was the lamentable 'Incense for the Damned', so as you can imagine; I didn't go into The Black Torment with the highest of hopes. While this film is hardly a great horror masterpiece, or even one of the best British horrors of the sixties; it's certainly a good film, and a million times better than Incense for the Damned. The film focuses more on its atmosphere, and Hartford-Davis ensures that the themes of murder and insanity are always bubbling on the surface of the movie. The film gets off to a very slow start, and I wasn't too impressed with it once the first half hour had elapsed. Luckily, things improve later on, and the first half of the movie merely sets up the basics of the story. We follow Sir Richard Fordyce upon his return home to his eerie mansion along with his new wife, Lady Elizabeth. His first wife killed herself at her home, and the memory still haunts the lord of the manor. Furthermore, his servants believe that he has been present at the mansion prior to his return...Huge mansion houses are a tried and tested location for horror, and the one in this film works well considering the story. The film is all about atmosphere, and the director does a good job of racking up the tension in an effort to ensure that the endings works as it should. The characters are nothing to write home about, and the script doesn't do a very good job of balancing them with the plot. The mystery comes about through several small threads, and although the climax is easy to guess; it's fun getting there. The film benefits from several well worked set pieces, many of which involve the ghost of Sir Richard's first wife. The Gothic themes provide the film with a dark horror atmosphere and are sure to appeal to fans of gloomy horror. The acting is, like the characters, rather drab; and the unknown British cast don't do much to grab your attention. It's clear that Hartford-Davis wanted the film to be more like Roger Corman's The Fall of the House of Usher, as it features ideas such as a long line of family members, and also sees a scene set in a portrait gallery, much like the Vincent Price classic. Overall, it has to be said that The Black Torment is slightly disappointing; but fans of sixties Gothic are likely to find something to like here.

magpie-5 Sir Richard Fordyce returns to his home after staying in London with his newly married wife. Upon his arrival the people of his estate greet him rather strangely. As it turns out while Fordyce has been away people have sworn that they have seen him at his home, there have also been several young women who have been killed. Fordyce also sees ghostly figures on the grounds of his estate. Is Fordyce slowly going mad or is there something more sinister at play.