Bedlam is the ninth and last of the influential films producer Val Lewton made at RKO in the 1940s. Unlike most of those other films, Bedlam is less of a horror film than a historic drama. Oh there are horrors, to be sure. But they are horrors of the natural variety; the evil that men do to each other. No supernatural themes here, nor any of the trademark Lewton plot ambiguities. Perhaps this is why it is the Lewton film I rewatch the least, despite my affinity for Boris Karloff. Make no mistake, it's a strong film and an overlooked one, with an excellent performance by Karloff. But it doesn't have quite as much appeal to me as more multilayered Lewton films.
The story is about a young woman named Nell (Anna Lee) who is a "protégé" to wealthy Lord Mortimer (Billly House). Nell becomes disgusted by the way the inmates at Bedlam asylum are being treated and tries to bring about reforms to the system. This puts her at odds with Bedlam's cruel master George Sims (Boris Karloff). To silence her, Sims conspires with Lord Mortimer to have Nell committed to Bedlam.
Mark Robson's direction is great and the cast is wonderful. In addition Karloff, Anna Lee gives what is probably her finest performance as a leading lady. Billy House is pitch-perfect as Lord Mortimer. Solid script from Val Lewton. Lewton wrote the screenplay (under a pen name) but gave a writing credit to William Hogarth, an 18th century artist. Lewton was inspired to do the film by one of Hogarth's prints. Normally this would not be enough to give someone even a "suggested by" writing credit. But perhaps Lewton's experience with The Ghost Ship had made him more sensitive about being accused of stealing ideas. Several of Hogarth's prints are shown in the film.
Bedlam is a good film with some atmosphere and tension. Fans of Karloff or Lewton should check it out, of course. It's not my favorite film from either but it's good.
The story is about a young woman named Nell (Anna Lee) who is a "protégé" to wealthy Lord Mortimer (Billly House). Nell becomes disgusted by the way the inmates at Bedlam asylum are being treated and tries to bring about reforms to the system. This puts her at odds with Bedlam's cruel master George Sims (Boris Karloff). To silence her, Sims conspires with Lord Mortimer to have Nell committed to Bedlam.
Mark Robson's direction is great and the cast is wonderful. In addition Karloff, Anna Lee gives what is probably her finest performance as a leading lady. Billy House is pitch-perfect as Lord Mortimer. Solid script from Val Lewton. Lewton wrote the screenplay (under a pen name) but gave a writing credit to William Hogarth, an 18th century artist. Lewton was inspired to do the film by one of Hogarth's prints. Normally this would not be enough to give someone even a "suggested by" writing credit. But perhaps Lewton's experience with The Ghost Ship had made him more sensitive about being accused of stealing ideas. Several of Hogarth's prints are shown in the film.
Bedlam is a good film with some atmosphere and tension. Fans of Karloff or Lewton should check it out, of course. It's not my favorite film from either but it's good.