This macabre thriller is based on characters created in the classic 1920 German horror film The Golem. Director Herbert J. Leder wanted the film to have the style and characteristics of the Hammer horror films that were popular during the ’60s and directed the camera work and audio effects accordingly.
Roddy McDowall, soon to become world-famous as the star of the Planet of the Apes franchise, features here as Arthur Pimm, an introspective young man who works at a London museum.
One night, Pimm steals the famous Star of the Nile diamond from the museum to lend to his mother with whom he lives.
His mother, however, is dead – and has been for some time . . .
After one of their storehouses burns down, museum director Grove (Ernest Clark) and his assistant Pimm find everything destroyed except for one statue which mysteriously withstood the fire undamaged.
It transpires the cursed statue was created by Rabbi Loew in the 16th century and will withstand every human attempt to destroy it. Pimm decides to use it to his own advantage and everyone is in for a frightening time.
Although shot in colour, US theatrical release prints were in black and white.
Arthur Pimm
Roddy McDowall
Ellen Grove
Jill Haworth
Jim Perkins
Paul Maxwell
Professor Weal
Aubrey Richards
Harold Grove
Ernest Clark
Curator Trimingham
Oliver Johnston
Inspector White
Noel Trevarthen
Detective Wayne
Ian McCulloch
Old Rabbi
Richard Goolden
Miss Swanson
Dorothy Frere
Young Captain
Tom Chatto
Ellis
Steve Kirby
Boss
Russell Napier
Museum Guard
Brian Haines
Museum Guard
John Baker
The Golem
Alan Sellers
Director
Herbert J. Leder