The Shadows Grow Longer
The Shadows Grow Longer

Movie spotlight

The Shadows Grow Longer

1961
Movie
91 min
German

Christa Andres runs a home for troubled girls. With great dedication, she tries to help girls who have gone astray return to a normal life. She takes special care of Erika, who works as a prostitute and one day runs away from the home. Christa sets out to search for the girl in the red-light district. In doing so, she is haunted by the shadows of her own past. The educator herself used to work as a prostitute. When she meets her former pimp, he tries to exploit his knowledge in a perfidious way and blackmail Christa...

Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Director: John Llewellyn MoxeyGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A young woman, visiting her estranged grandmother in a remote country house, becomes increasingly disturbed by the strange behavior of the staff and the unsettling atmosphere. She soon discovers that her grandmother is a controlling matriarch who keeps her family captive through psychological manipulation and perhaps something more sinister. As secrets unravel, the young woman must fight for her freedom and sanity against the chilling influence of the house and its inhabitants.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'The Shadows Grow Longer' received a mixed to negative reception from critics, largely due to its slow pacing and predictable plot. However, in retrospect, some critics and genre enthusiasts have come to appreciate its atmospheric tension and Boris Karloff's performance, viewing it as a decent, albeit minor, entry in the gothic horror genre of the early 1960s.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its attempt at gothic atmosphere and Boris Karloff's presence.

  • Criticized for a sluggish pace and a plot that fails to deliver significant scares.

  • Seen as a competently made but ultimately unremarkable horror film.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'The Shadows Grow Longer' are scarce, with available feedback generally reflecting a mixed to negative sentiment. Many viewers found the film to be dated and lacking in genuine suspense, though some acknowledged Karloff's iconic performance.

Fun Fact

This film marked one of Boris Karloff's final roles in a leading capacity, showcasing his enduring presence in the horror genre even late in his career.

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