The Dark Angel Poster

The Dark Angel 1987

★ 7.52 votes176 min📅 1987-02-01

Peter Hammond's The Dark Angel (1987) weaves a chilling Victorian gothic tale from Sheridan Le Fanu's classic novel *Uncle Silas*, serving up a haunting blend of psychological suspense and gothic drama.

Director: Peter Hammond

Cast

Peter O'Toole
Peter O'Toole
Uncle Silas Ruthyn
Jane Lapotaire
Jane Lapotaire
Madame de la Rougierre
Beatie Edney
Beatie Edney
Maud Ruthyn
Barbara Shelley
Barbara Shelley
Cousin Monica
Simon Shepherd
Simon Shepherd
Captain Oakley
Guy Rolfe
Guy Rolfe
Dr. Bryerly
Tim Woodward
Tim Woodward
Dudley Ruthyn
Norma Shebbeare
Mary Quince
Marcus Gilbert
Marcus Gilbert
Lord Carysbroke
Patti Love
Patti Love
Peg Hawkes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Dark Angel (1987) about?

The Dark Angel follows Maud Ruthyn, a sheltered heiress whose life unravels after her father hires a cruel and manipulative governess. When her father dies unexpectedly, Maud is forced to live with her scheming uncle, uncovering a web of deception tied to her inheritance. The film blends gothic atmosphere with psychological suspense as trust erodes and danger lurks in every elegant corridor.

Who directed The Dark Angel?

The Dark Angel was directed by Peter Hammond, a filmmaker known for his work in television drama and period pieces.

Who stars in The Dark Angel?

The film features screen legends Peter O'Toole, Jane Lapotaire, and Beatie Edney leading a powerhouse cast in this gothic thriller.

Is The Dark Angel (1987) worth watching?

The Dark Angel offers a sumptuous, slow-burn gothic drama with strong performances and atmospheric tension. While not a jump-scare horror, its psychological depth and stylish Victorian setting make it a compelling watch for fans of gothic fiction and period thrillers.

How long is The Dark Angel?

The Dark Angel runs for 176 minutes (approximately 2 hours and 56 minutes).

The Dark Angel (1987): A Sensual Gothic Thriller — Full Movie Info

Peter Hammond's The Dark Angel (1987) weaves a chilling Victorian gothic tale from Sheridan Le Fanu's classic novel *Uncle Silas*, serving up a haunting blend of psychological suspense and gothic drama. Set against the moody elegance of 19th-century England, the story opens as sheltered young heiress Maud Ruthyn's life takes a sinister turn when her domineering father hires a new governess. Madame De La Rougierre, played with razor-sharp menace by Jane Lapotaire, is no nurturing caretaker—she's a manipulative, brandy-loving predator with her sights locked on Maud's fortune. After Maurice Denham's stern father dies, Maud finds herself trapped in a gilded cage of deception, gaslighting, and creeping dread, where trust is a weapon and every shadow might conceal a trap.

With Peter O'Toole lending gravitas as Uncle Silas, and Beatie Edney adding layers of quiet vulnerability as Maud, this stylish TV movie thrives on atmosphere—velvet gowns, candlelit halls, and simmering tension that never quite boils over into outright terror. Hammond crafts a slow-burn thriller that lingers on psychological unease over jump scares, immersing viewers in a world where innocence is fragile and every kindness could be a lie.