A young woman attending college in Massachusetts (Sandra Dee) finds herself drawn to an unusual and solitary man (Dean Stockwell), who resides with his elderly relative at a peculiar, isolated property that holds a concealed chamber on the upper level—containing something unknown. The question arises whether this man’s attention toward her is genuine or if there's a more troubling motive behind it. Adapted from H. P. Lovecraft's 1929 short story, “The Dunwich Horror” (1970) is an American International production similar to "The City of the Dead" (1960), "Die, Monster, Die" (1965), and "Curse of the Crimson Altar,” also known as “The Crimson Cult” (1968). It’s better than "Die, Monster, Die," and at least matches the quality of the other two films. There's a touch reminiscent of "The Shuttered Room" (1967) in it too. Filmed during the spring of 1969, the film captures that distinct late-1960s atmosphere with a memorable musical score. Stockwell portrays the odd character with an easygoing demeanor. Sandra was 27 years old when filming took place and appears more mature than her earlier role in “Gidget” (1959). Donna Baccala plays her college companion, while Talia Shire (Coppola) makes an appearance as a helpful nurse. Those who enjoy eerie films from the 60s and early 70s featuring actors like Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and Oliver Reed will likely appreciate “The Dunwich Horror.” Some reviewers have noted that the film’s conclusion is weak, but I didn't feel that way. It wraps up all the plot threads in a vivid, unsettling manner without dragging on, and it also hints at what’s to follow. The movie has a runtime of 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was filmed in Mendocino County in Northern California, including Little River—about a three-hour drive north of San Francisco—while the scenes set at Arkham College were shot in the philosophy department at USC in Los Angeles. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB