5/5 If you are a fan of 60s Italian Horror films, then buy this NOW!
  by M. Johnson
As a big fan of the "golden age" of Italian horror films, I had a pretty rough copy of this movie I'd bought and assumed it was never going to get any better. Luckily, Severin Films managed to get hold of the original negative and create what is surely the ultimate edition of NIGHTMARE CASTLE. The film itself drags in places and the plot about a scientist who has a cure for aging long before Botox, Retin-A and plastic surgery is kind of silly at times but it's worth it for the great creepy climax. The cinematography is something I really failed to appreciate fully until seeing this incredible transfer. The transfer is great and evidently, they cut quite a bit out of this in order to fit into late-night television time slots. Thankfully, it is fully restored and has great extras like interviews with the director and Barbara Steele. Also, this has the first horror score from Ennio Morricone and it really enhances the mood. As I said before, I never appreciated the lighting too much on the old transfer but this is one beautifully shot movie. The make-up and special effects are excellent too. I knew I was going to buy this as soon as I heard about it but if you are on the fence about it, I assure you that if you have not seen NIGHTMARE CASTLE as presented by Severin Films, then you really have not seen it. I'm glad to have this pristine version in my collection and I recommend it to others who appreciate 1960s Italian horror films.

3/5 Unedited is better
  by J. Nixon (desert southwest)
I had stayed away from Barbara Steele films, since they were all blasted by reviewers stating they were disjointed, didn't offer anything new and others. I read that the completed version of Nightmare Castle was available and liking horror movies figured it was worth a shot, as it is considered her best horror effort. It was better than I expected. The film has a moody atmosphere and has a decent horror plot and a satisfying ending. It isn't a classic, but you do get to see what got the world interested in Barbara Steele. It is dubbed

3/5 steele in blonde
  by T. Hohe
This is probably nothing like "Mask of Satan". It's a good solid italian horror movie with a decent storyline.
The cinematoraphy is quite good but nothing spectacular - Barbara Steele, however, is. And you can see her as her own blonde double, which looks quite funny.
All in all - everybody interested in Ms. Steele and italian horror of the 60`s should get this one.
But if you are looking for a real perfect italian horror/Barbara Steele movie besides "Mask of Satan" check on "Castle of Blood".
And, by the way, the print is indeed very good!

5/5 A good italian gothic from the 60s
  by Morpho
Avoid the bad Nightmare Castle DVD from Madacy Entertainment, and get this one from Severin films, with a remarkable picture quality. For the first time this film is here presented on a really good DVD transfer, with good extras (interviews with Barbara Steele and with the Director).
This is one of the good italian gothic movies from the sixties, but not "As good -- if not better -- than any Mario Bava gothic tale !" as writen on the cover. It is far from Mario Bava's expertise in that field.

2/5 Uninspired Film Brightened By The Memorable Barbara Steele
  by Gary F. Taylor (Biloxi, MS USA)
Although she is perhaps best known for her unusual beauty, Barbara Steele was not without talent--and so it is a pity that she spent most of her career trapped in low-budget Italian horror films. The 1965 NIGHTMARE CASTLE is certainly not her worst film, but it is far from her best.

Originally known as AMANTI D'OLTRETOMBA, the film offers the story of Frankenstein-ish Dr. Stephen Arrowsmith (Paul Muller) locked in a loveless marriage to wealthy wife Muriel (Steele), who is having a torrid affair with a servant. Catching them in the act, Stephen tortures them to death, but must then cope with Muriel's cousin Jenny (also played by Steele) who has inherited the estate. Stephen marries Jenny, and then with the aid of servant, lover, and laboratory experiment Solange (Helga Line) set out to drive her insane in order to inherit the estate himself.

Although the script and story are ninth rate and the whole thing looks like it filmed on a budget of a dollar and fifteen cents, the movie does manage to stir up a few good moments. The cinematography is surprisingly atmospheric; the soundtrack is effect; and the overall cast competent. But, and not unexpectedly, Steele is at the center of the movie's best scenes, and everything around her seems third and fourth rate in comparison.

There are several releases of the film. I have personally encountered two. The first by St. Clair Vision is at best so-so, often grainy and occasionally jumpy, but nonetheless watchable. The second by Severin Films is far superior. But there's no getting around the movie itself, which is largely uninspired. Two stars, one for Steele and one for the film's occasionally effective moments.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer