Despite having been released on video as part of the "Universal Pictures Monster Collection," it's actually an historical drama that looks fairly elaborate considering it's rumored low-budget. It is certainly well-acted especially by Basil Rathbone and, in his film debut, Vincent Price (who would star in a 1962 remake). Nevertheless, even with a bald, ax-wielding Boris Karloff in tow, this is a tedious affair, and I suppose it always was, even in the early 70s when I had seen and liked it in the wee hours on my local TV station's "Late Night Movie." It impressed me for some reason back then, but I don't know why. I still don't. It's certainly a big letdown from "Son of Frankenstein" which the same director (Rowland V. Lee) made earlier in the year for the same studio, with the same two stars (Rathbone and Karloff).
Review of Tower of London
