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History Cult Classic

A vengeful count rises from the grave for one last blood-soaked bid at immortality.

THE TORTURE CHAMBER OF DR. SADISM

UNBELIEVABLE! Until You See It With Your Own Eyes!

1967 · 1h 25m · R · History / Horror / Mystery · IMDB TMDB

In the Olden Tymes, Count Regula is drawn and quartered for killing twelve virgins in his dungeon torture chamber. Thirty-five years later, he comes back to seek revenge on the daughter of his intended thirteenth victim and the son of his prosecutor in order to attain immortal life.

Quick Answer

What is The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism about?

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism is a 1967 German history-horror-mystery film directed by Harald Reinl about a notorious count executed for murdering maidens who returns 35 years later to seek revenge and achieve immortality.

Programmer's Pick

With Christopher Lee as the delightfully morbid Count Regula and a castle tour that doubles as a greatest hits parade of gothic torture devices, genre fans will relish every shadowy corridor. The green-blooded henchmen and snake pits don’t hurt either.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in 18th-century Germany, The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism introduces Baroness Lilian von Brabant and her lawyer Roger Mont Elise, both traveling to the ominously named Blood Castle in hopes of claiming a mysterious inheritance. Their journey brings them into contact with a profane monk, a grim local history, and a castle infamous as the scene of Count Regula's bloody crimes against twelve maidens decades prior. With the monk's uneasy assistance, they navigate a landscape thick with dread, hidden motives, and the specter of Regula's unfinished quest for immortality. The film quickly layers gothic tropes, menacing atmosphere, and uneasy alliances, promising a darkly ornate tale of vengeance and legacy.

Details & Specs

Director
Harald Reinl
Writers
Manfred R. Köhler, Edgar Allan Poe
Release
1967
Runtime
1h 25m
Country
Germany
Language
German
Also Known As
The Blood Demon, The Torture Room, Castle of the Walking Dead, Omen of the Devil, Pendulum, The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism, El foso de las serpientes, Skräckens blodiga borg, Sangue das Virgens, La tredicesima vergine, Blood of the Virgins, The Snake Pit, Le vampire et le sang des vierges, The Snake Pit and the Pendulum

Why This Matters

This West German horror film adapts Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Pit and the Pendulum,' features Christopher Lee in a starring role, and showcases set design by Gabriel Pellon and Rolf Zehetbauer at Bavaria Studios.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Harald Reinl Writers: Manfred R. Köhler +1 more

Explore More

Why Cult

Gothic German Castle

The film's Blood Castle is a character in itself, exuding menace and filled with classic horror atmosphere.

Christopher Lee Villainy

Christopher Lee menaces as Count Regula, a villain with both a thirst for revenge and a flair for the theatrical.

Psychotronic Torture Devices

Torture chambers, pendulums, and snake pits abound—delivering classic horror set pieces and sinister gadgets.

Revenge Across Decades

The story’s 35-year leap bridges generations, tying together old crimes and present-day inheritances with supernatural vengeance.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Invitation to Blood Castle and past execution

Threat

Resurrected Count Regula seeking revenge and immortality

Effect

Targets descendants for torture and death in his castle

Setting

Blood Castle and Sander Valley

Questions from the Vault

When was The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism released? +

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism was released in 1967.

Who directed The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism? +

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism was directed by Harald Reinl.

How long is The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism? +

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism runs for 85 minutes.

What genre is The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism? +

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism is a film in the history, horror, and mystery genres.

How does Count Regula seek immortality in the film? +

Count Regula murders twelve virgins, aiming to use their blood for immortality, and returns after 35 years to pursue the thirteenth victim.

Trailers & Clips