Watch The Raven

The Raven, released in 1915, is a silent horror film directed by Charles Brabin, and features a cast including Henry B. Walthall, Warda Howard, and Ernest Maupain. The film takes its inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem of the same name, and follows a young Frenchman, Jean Rejane, who falls in love with the daughter of a famous surgeon. When the surgeon fails to save the life of a wounded criminal, the criminal's associate takes his revenge on the surgeon by abducting his daughter and threatening to subject her to the same gruesome fate as the criminal.

The film begins with Jean Rejane (Henry B. Walthall) arriving in France to earn a medical degree, having fled from a scandal in his hometown in Switzerland. Jean saves the life of Dr. Richard Vollin (Ernest Maupain) and is invited to his home, where he meets Vollin's daughter, Jeanne (Warda Howard), and falls deeply in love. Meanwhile, a notorious criminal named Edmond Bateman (Boris Karloff) is brought in to Dr. Vollin's hospital, having been shot while committing a robbery. Despite Dr. Vollin's best efforts, Bateman dies on the operating table.

Bateman's accomplice, a man named Mother MacGregor (Agnes Herr), comes to Dr. Vollin's mansion seeking revenge. She kidnaps Jeanne, warning Vollin that she will subject her to the same torture that Bateman suffered before he died. Vollin is a Poe fanatic, and he uses his extensive knowledge of Poe's work to craft a series of elaborate traps and games that will allow Jeanne to escape. However, as Jeanne tries to make her way out of the mansion, she is pursued by Mother MacGregor and a group of henchmen, leading to a tense and thrilling climax.

The Raven is notable for its early use of horror tropes, including mad scientists, desperate kidnappers, and classic monsters, all of which would go on to define the genre for generations to come. It also features a standout performance by Boris Karloff (then known as William Henry Pratt), famous for his later work in iconic horror films such as Frankenstein and The Mummy.

The film's use of Poe's work as a source of inspiration is also noteworthy. The Raven, of course, takes its title from one of Poe's most famous poems, but the film also draws on other Poe stories and characters, including a character named "Murders in the Rue Morgue", referencing Poe's short story of the same name. Dr. Vollin himself is a tortured Poe fanatic, who quotes the poet throughout the film and uses his knowledge of Poe's work to craft his elaborate traps for Mother MacGregor.

Despite its age, The Raven remains an engaging film that is still capable of thrilling modern audiences. The story moves quickly, building tension and suspense throughout, and the performances are both striking and memorable. The film also features impressive production design, including the use of shadow and light to create a sense of foreboding and menace.

Overall, The Raven is a classic horror film that set the stage for the genre as we know it today. Its mix of horror, suspense, and drama, combined with its use of Poe's work as a source of inspiration, make it a standout film that is still engaging and enjoyable to watch today.

The Raven is a 1915 drama with a runtime of 57 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.