In the extra on my Blu-ray of the film, director Hessler states he was upset with Jason Robards' performance in the title role and laments he didn't get to inherit Vincent Price as the film's star when he was asked to direct it. In watching, I quite agree that as fine an actor as Robards was, his heart wasn't in horror and thus his tone is off here. Still, Herbert Lom is great as the antagonist and there are many enjoyable wonders to behold.

I strongly feel that had Price acted in Robards' place, this film would have joined the fine string of minor masterpieces Price starred in during that p... read the rest.