despite it's good looks and likeable cast premature burial isn't very good. the story is preposterous and the pacing is lagging. it's well directed by roger corman and well shot and the sets and locations, while low budget, are nicely done. the creeping fog on the outside grounds and the looming eerie mansion and all its many halls are quite gorgeous to look at. the cast holds their own pretty well and ray milland in the lead does a great job changing his persona as the film plays out. but when it comes to the story the film just falls apart. first off it is rather boring for the first half. just a lot of talk and not that interesting. it really drags. and i've never read the poe work this is based on but i have to believe that it is much better than this. it's a cool idea but handled terribly. the film is about a man who believes he will be buried alive and believes much of his family has suffered the same fate. sounds good but then this film has this man, for about 35 minutes tells his wife and family and friends that he is going to be buried alive and that he has a disease where he will for all intents and purposes appear dead but will actually be alive and well and then when this actually happens they pronounce him dead right away and put him in the ground. it was ridiculous and more importantly stupid.. first it's boring and then when it finally starts to get exciting the film becomes illogical and just plain dumb. sure it gets better after that utter stupidity in the story and the ending (including a rather out of nowhere last minute twist that doesn't make much sense) is pretty strong but sadly the wretched nonsensical script and the boring slog it starts out as makes premature burial a movie that is strictly for corman completists and not really anyone else. production design:: 7 out of 10 cinematography: 7 out of 10 re-playability: 4 out of 10 originality: 6 out of 10 costumes: 6 out of 10 directing: 6 out of 10 editing: 7 out of 10 acting: 7 out of 10 music: 7 out of 10 script: 5 out of 10 62/100