Tower of London is a 1962 historical drama and gothic horror film directed by Roger Corman and starring Vincent Price and Michael Pate. 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 Richard III (Price) and his ruthless quest to secure the English throne.
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.
It is a remake of the 1939 Universal Horror film of the same name, in which Price had an early supporting role.
Tropes of London:
- Ambition Is Evil: Every evil act Richard III undertakes arises from his desire to take and keep the throne.
- Can't Kill You, Still Need You: 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, he holds Justin's girlfriend Lady Margaret hostage in the dungeons.
- Creepy-Crawly Torture: Richard tortures (and eventually kills) Buckingham by placing a cage over his head and dropping a rat into it.
- Dated History: 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.
- Dead Hat Shot: 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 Match Cut to the same puppet being held in Richard's hand in his chambers as he studies it after the murder.
- Deadly Hug: Richard hugs his brother George, Duke of Clarence and stabs him In the Back as he does so.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: 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.
- Evil Cripple: In keeping with William Shakespeare's portrayal of him, Richard III is a megalomaniacal hunchback who murders any member of his family who stands between him and the throne.
- Frame-Up: 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.
- I Have Your Wife: 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.
- In the Back: Richard stabs his brother George, Duke of Clarence in the back when he goes to hug him.
- Lady Macbeth: 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 accidentally kills her.
- Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane: It is possible that the ghosts that torment Richard are just the product of his Sanity Slippage, especially as no one else can see them. However, their ability to utter accurate prophecy would suggest they are genuinely supernatural.
- Murder by Mistake: Mistress Shore's ghost merges with the body of Anne, and a semi-deranged Richard strangles his own wife, believing her to be Shore.
- One-Steve Limit: Averted, in keeping with history. The film features Edward IV and his brother Richard III, and Edward IV's sons Edward V and Prince Richard.
- Peek-a-Boo Corpse: 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.
- The Place: All the action centers around the titular Tower of London.
- Prophecy Twist: 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.
- Sanity Slippage: 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.
- Scrubbing Off the Trauma: 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'.
- Seeking Sanctuary: 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.
- The Speechless: Richard's Torture Technician Galvan is mute. Tyrus is able to poison him by promising him a potion that will restore his speech.
- Terrible Ticking: Richard is haunted by the mocking laughter of those he murdered in order to gain the throne.
- Torture Technician: 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.
- Treacherous Spirit Chase: 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.
- Vorpal Pillow: Richard and Sir Ratcliffe murder the princes in the tower by suffocating them with pillows as they lie in their bed.
- Would Harm a Child: Richard and Sir Ratcliffe carry out the murder of the princes personally.
