Watch Diary of a Madman

Vincent Price stars in the 1963 horror film, Diary of a Madman. The story is based on a novel by Guy de Maupassant and takes place in France during the 19th century. The main character, Simon Cordier (played by Price), is a magistrate who is haunted by a murder trial he presided over. The man he sentenced to death was a renowned artist, who had been possessed by an evil spirit. Now, Cordier begins to experience strange events himself, and begins to suspect that he is also being possessed by the same spirit.

The film begins with Cordier attending an auction where he purchases a painting of the artist who he put to death. Cordier is drawn to the painting and he feels as though the artist is still communicating with him from beyond the grave. Soon after, Cordier begins to experience strange visions, and he hears a voice that he cannot explain. He seeks out the help of a friend, Dr. Bonnet (played by Chris Warfield), but he too is unable to explain Cordier's experiences.

As Cordier's condition worsens, he begins to have violent impulses, and he becomes convinced that the spirit of the artist has possessed him. He sees an apparition of the artist, and he is haunted by visions of the man he put to death. He becomes increasingly paranoid, and he begins to lose his grip on reality.

Along the way, Cordier falls in love with a beautiful woman named Odette (played by Nancy Kovack). However, as his condition worsens, Cordier begins to see Odette as a threat. He becomes convinced that she is conspiring with the spirit of the artist, and he becomes increasingly unstable.

The film is shot in black and white, and it has a dark, brooding atmosphere. Vincent Price delivers a solid performance as Cordier, and he manages to convey the character's descent into madness effectively. The supporting cast is also strong, particularly Nancy Kovack as Odette. The film is relatively slow-paced, but it is never dull, as the tension is steadily ratcheted up over the course of the story.

One of the film's strengths is its use of sound. The eerie voice that Cordier hears is particularly effective, and it adds to the film's overall sense of unease. The art direction is also impressive, and the film's sets and costumes effectively convey the period setting.

Overall, Diary of a Madman is a solid horror film that will appeal to fans of Vincent Price and classic horror movies. While it may not be the most action-packed film, it is a well-crafted story that effectively explores its themes of madness and possession. The film's final act is particularly strong, as Cordier's condition reaches its climax. As the film draws to a close, the viewer is left with a sense of unease, as the true nature of Cordier's visions and experiences is left open to interpretation.

In conclusion, Diary of a Madman is a classic horror film that is well worth watching. With its strong performances, effective use of sound, and impressive art direction, the film remains a chilling and memorable entry in the horror genre.

Diary of a Madman is a 1963 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.