Emily Gault (Hazel Court) arrives at the Carrell mansion determined to rekindle her relationship with her fiance, British aristocrat Guy Carrell (Ray Milland), despite the disapproval of his sister, Kate (Heather Angel).
Guy overcomes his all-consuming fear of being buried alive long enough to marry Emily but soon becomes obsessed again, certain that the disease of catalepsy runs in his family, and builds himself a tomb (incorporating alarms, trap doors and other means of escape) designed to guarantee that he will not fall prey to his most dreaded nightmare.
Trying to prove that he has been cured of his phobia, he eventually destroys the tomb.
But when he opens his father’s tomb and discovers that his father was buried alive, he is shocked into a catatonic state.
His worst fears are realised as he is lowered into a grave and covered over, apparently never to learn that the treachery of someone very dear to him was directly responsible for his predicament.
An unexpected final twist is very satisfying.
Directed by Roger Corman, the film is based on a story by Edgar Allen Poe.
Guy Carrell
Ray Milland Emily Gault
Hazel Court Miles Archer
Richard Ney Kate Carrell
Heather Angel Dr Gideon Gault
Alan Napier Sweeney
John Dierkes Mole
Richard Miller Judson
Clive Halliday Minister
Brendan Dillon
Director
Roger Corman
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Trying to prove that he has been cured of his phobia, he eventually destroys the tomb.
Guy Carrell
Dr Gideon Gault
