Line #27 Film/TowerOfLondon1962


1	[[quoteright:519:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tower_of_london_879817042_large.jpg]]
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3	''Tower of London'' is a 1962 historical drama and {{gothic horror}} film directed by Creator/RogerCorman and starring Creator/VincentPrice and Creator/MichaelPate. The movie revolves around the power struggles and political intrigues within the English royal court during the 15th century, primarily focusing on the character of UsefulNotes/RichardIII (Price) and his ruthless quest to secure the English throne.
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5	The plot delves into Richard's ruthless tactics, including murder and betrayal, as he eliminates potential rivals to his claim on the throne. The Tower of London serves as a central location in which much of the drama – including scenes of imprisonment, torture, and treachery – unfolds. As Richard becomes increasingly tyrannical, his descent into madness and paranoia is depicted, leading to a climactic confrontation and a tragic end.
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7	It is a remake of the 1939 Franchise/UniversalHorror film [[Film/TowerOfLondon of the same name]], in which Price had an early supporting role.
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10	!!Tropes of London:
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12	* AmbitionIsEvil: Every evil act Richard III undertakes arises from his desire to take and keep the throne.
13	* CantKillYouStillNeedYou: Richard III keeps Sir Justin alive, despite Sir Justin opposing him, because he needs Justin to act as an emissary between him and Lord Justin. To ensure Justin's cooperation, [[IHaveYourWife he holds Justin's girlfriend Lady Margaret hostage in the dungeons]].
14	* CreepyCrawlyTorture: Richard tortures (and eventually kills) Buckingham by placing a cage over his head and dropping a rat into it.
15	* DatedHistory: Richard's portrayal as a hunchback became this when his remains were found in 2012; while he did suffer from scoliosis, examination indicates that he didn't have any spinal deformities which couldn't be hidden by clothing.
16	* DeadHatShot: When Richard and Sir Ratcliffe murder the young princes in their bed, the camera pans down to show the puppet being held in Prince Richard's hand, which goes limp as he dies. There is then a MatchCut to the same puppet being held in Richard's hand in his chambers as he studies it after the murder.
17	* DeadlyHug: Richard hugs his brother George, Duke of Clarence and stabs him InTheBack as he does so.
18	* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Richard generally acts like a heartless psychopath, but he's devastated by Anne's death. When he becomes king, all he can do is brood that she was supposed to be there as his queen.
19	* EvilCripple: In keeping with Creator/WilliamShakespeare's portrayal of him, Richard III is a megalomaniacal hunchback who murders any member of his family who stands between him and the throne.
20	* FrameUp: Richard secretly stabs George, Duke of Clarence to death with a dagger bearing the crest of the Woodville family, framing the dying king's in-laws.
21	* IHaveYourWife: Richard III holds Lady Margaret, the daughter of Lord Stanley and the girlfriend of Sir Justin, prisoner in his dungeons to ensure the cooperation of both Stanley and Justin.
22	* InTheBack: Richard stabs his brother George, Duke of Clarence in the back when he goes to hug him.
23	* LadyMacbeth: Richard's wife Anne supports Richard in his ambition and encourages him in his murder spree in his bid to claim the throne. Until he [[MurderByMistake accidentally kills her]].
24	* MaybeMagicMaybeMundane: It is possible that the ghosts that torment Richard are just the product of his SanitySlippage, especially as no one else can see them. However, their ability to utter accurate [[TheProphecy prophecy]] would suggest they are genuinely supernatural.
25	* MurderByMistake: Mistress Shore's ghost merges with the body of Anne, and a semi-deranged Richard strangles his own wife, believing her to be Shore.
26	* OneSteveLimit: Averted, in keeping with history. The film features UsefulNotes/EdwardIV and his brother UsefulNotes/RichardIII, and Edward IV's sons Edward V and Prince Richard.
27	* PeekABooCorpse: When Lady Margaret reaches the coach waiting to take her to Scotland, she opens the door only for the body of her driver to topple out, causing her to squeal.
28	* ThePlace: All the action centers around the titular Tower of London.
29	* ProphecyTwist: The ghosts of Clarence, King Edward and Mistress Shore haunt Richard, warning him that they will be avenged at "Bosworth". He is also told that he will be killed by a dead man. Eventually at the Battle of Bosworth Field, Richard is left alone on the battlefield after his army has been defeated. The ghosts of his victims appear, and he attempts to fight them. Jasper, Stanley and Richmond watch as Richard swipes at thin air. The king attempts to mount a horse, but is thrown and killed by a battleaxe held by a dead soldier.
30	* SanitySlippage: Richard III's sanity begins to crack from the time he commits his first murder until, by the end of the movie, he is completely paranoid and haunted by visions of everyone he has killed.
31	* ScrubbingOffTheTrauma: After murdering his brother the Duke of Clearance, Richard furiously washes the blood off his hands. When his brother Edward IV dies, Richard kisses him on the forehead and then sees Clarence's blood on Edward's forehead, which Clarence's ghost mockingly refers to as 'the mark of Cain'.
32	* SeekingSanctuary: Sir Justin plots with his girlfriend, Lady Margaret Stanley, to rescue the princes. He manages to get the young Duke of York and his mother Elizabeth Woodville free. Elizabeth and young Richard seek sanctuary in Westminster Abbey. Using the letter of the law and threats of violence, Richard forces the Archbishop to give up the Duke of York, although he is forced to leave to Elizabeth in the Archbishop's care.
33	* TheSpeechless: Richard's TortureTechnician Galvan is mute. Tyrus is able to poison him by promising him a potion that will restore his speech.
34	* TerribleTicking: Richard is haunted by the mocking laughter of those he murdered in order to gain the throne.
35	* TortureTechnician: Richard employs a personal torturer named Galvan who tortures Mistress Shore to death while attempting to get her to swear that the princes are illegitimate.
36	* TreacherousSpiritChase: The ghosts of the two young princes attempt to lure Richard off the battlements by enticing him to play a game with them. He is only saved by the intervention of Buckingham, who cannot see the ghosts.
37	* VorpalPillow: Richard and Sir Ratcliffe murder the princes in the tower by suffocating them with pillows as they lie in their bed.
38	* WouldHarmAChild: Richard and Sir Ratcliffe carry out the murder of the princes personally.
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Context Film / TowerOfLondon1962