The Black Raven
Performance & Direction: The Black Raven Review
Last updated: January 27, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Black Raven (1943) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Mystery.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Mystery is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Black Raven features a noteworthy lineup led by George Zucco . Supported by the likes of Wanda McKay and Noel Madison , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Black Raven (1943) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.2/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: The Black Raven
Quick Plot Summary: The Black Raven is a Mystery, Crime, Horror film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Black Raven
Ending Breakdown: The Black Raven attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to mystery resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the mystery themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Black Raven reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Black Raven Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Black Raven incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a mystery, crime, horror film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Black Raven adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Black Raven?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Mystery films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Black Raven
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Black Raven Online?
Streaming HubThe Black Raven Parents Guide & Age Rating
1943 AdvisoryWondering about The Black Raven age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Black Raven is 61 minutes (1h 1m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.2/10, and global performance metrics, The Black Raven is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1943 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Black Raven worth watching?
The Black Raven is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Mystery movies. It has a verified rating of 5.2/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Black Raven parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Black Raven identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Black Raven?
The total duration of The Black Raven is 61 minutes, which is approximately 1h 1m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Black Raven
George Zucco ("Bradford") owns a remote inn that one stormy night finds itself home to a quite a few unscheduled guests - a runaway couple and a disgruntled bank clerk making off to Canada with the day's takings. The arrival of the absconding girl's father - who happens to be a judge, brings Zucco's criminal alter ego "The Black Raven" into play and what now ensues is a gently paced cat and mouse thriller that sees each resident hope to get their hand on the loot - oh, and to manage to stay alive. The score imbues this with a certain mischievous jollity, and the constant storm raging outside gives what is essentially a pretty stage-bound enterprise just a little bit of extra menace. At just over the hour, it packs quite a lot in - there are plenty of suspects, and much of the film is spent presenting us with a whole load of red herring scenarios that tell us little, but keep it all moving along nicely. Who did what to whom? Well, that doesn't really matter - it's just a bit of fun!
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
