The Black Room (1935)

In a 16thcentury European town the ruling family has been given a prophecy that should there ever be twin boys born the younger will murder the older so is dismayed when twins are born to the popular baron The older grows to be a selfish slovenly man who inherits the castle at his fathers death and becomes ruler over the formerly happy villagers He enjoys his power until he learns his younger brother is returning from abroad and afraid of the prophecy he determines to murder his sibling hide his body in the black room an old torture chamber sealed away behind the fireplace and then impersonate him right down to his withered arm In this way he hopes to not only avoid the prophecy but also escape consequences of his other criminal deeds and obtain marriage to a local girl of the nobility