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Poster for Mr. Sardonicus

Mr. Sardonicus

Seen it?

1961 | 90 min | Horror, Mystery

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With middling reviews (40% on Rotten Tomatoes) and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and horror fans. If you loved House on Haunted Hill, start here.
The mood
Scary.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 30 min.
What might put you off
Made in 1961: an older pace and style.

In 1880, Sir Robert Cargrave, a London physician known for his experimental work in paralysis treatment, is summoned to Gorslava by the mysterious Baron Sardonicus—who is now married to Cargrave's former wife, Maude—to treat his disfigurement. When Cargrave arrives, he finds the masked baron is a cruel sadist who has threatened to harm Maude if he is not successfully cured.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsBelow par

    40% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 88K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by William Castle

  • Ronald LewisSir Robert Cargrave
  • Audrey DaltonMaude Sardonicus
  • Guy RolfeBaron Sardonicus
  • Oskar HomolkaKrull
  • Vladimir SokoloffHenryk Toleslawski
  • Erika PetersElenka
  • Lorna HansonAnna
  • Constance CavendishMrs. Higgins (uncredited)
  • James ForrestGeoffery Wainwright (uncredited)
  • Tina WoodwardThe Girl (uncredited)