Tower of Evil (1972) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Saul is the killer. He is the captain's brother who has been living in the caves beneath the mansion on the island for years. His sister-in-law and their child died on the island, but Saul himself survived and became a recluse, murdering anyone who came near his domain.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, the captain mentions his brother Saul died on the island, though he later admits Saul actually lives in the caves.

• saul
• captian
• brother
• killer
• murderer
• snape island

Saul remained on the island after his wife and child died there, living in the caves out of grief and possibly madness. The summary indicates he has been stalking the island for years, and the Doctor reveals he had been hunting Saul all night, suggesting Saul has become a dangerous recluse obsessed with guarding the island's secrets.

Foreshadowing: The captain initially lies about his brother being dead, hinting at a deeper family secret.

• saul
• caves
• recluse
• grief
• family secret

Michael is Saul's son, introduced in the final act as a deformed killer who attacks Rose. He is the last member of the family still alive on the island, and his physical deformities suggest either genetic conditions or the result of inbreeding due to the isolated, incestuous relationship between Saul and his sister-in-law.

Foreshadowing: The captain mentions his brother had a sister-in-law and child who died on the island, establishing the family connection.

• michael
• saul
• son
• deformed
• killer
• family

Nora is killed when Saul throws her from the lighthouse balcony onto the rocks below. After Rose discovers Saul in the caves cradling his dead wife's corpse, Saul pursues Rose, locates Nora running toward the lighthouse, and murders her by throwing her off the cliff.

Foreshadowing: Rose hears weeping in the caves and investigates, leading her to discover Saul with the corpse, which triggers his violent pursuit.

• nora
• death
• lighthouse
• saul
• thrown
• rocks

The captain lies because he is ashamed of his family's dark history on the island. His brother Saul is still alive living in the caves, and the captain knows he is dangerous. The captain later admits that his sister-in-law died on the island and that Martha never wanted Saul's fate to be revealed, indicating the family wanted to bury their shameful secret.

Foreshadowing: The captain spots a photograph of his brother in the mansion and initially claims Saul died there.

• captain
• brother
• saul
• lie
• family secret

The captain's brother Saul, his sister-in-law, and their child died on the island. However, Saul actually survived and has been living in the caves beneath the house for years. The sister-in-law's corpse is discovered by Nora in a rocking chair, while Saul remains alive and dangerous.

Foreshadowing: The captain's revelation about the photograph of his brother and the family history establishes the dark secret.

• captain
• family
• brother
• saul
• sister-in-law
• death

The treasure is a legendary Phoenician gold stash hidden on Snape Island. The Doctor uncovers it in a cave near a coffin during the night of terror. However, the treasure comes at a terrible price, most of the expedition members are killed by Saul, and the survivors escape with the treasure while the island burns.

Foreshadowing: Scientists decide to venture to the island drawn by rumors of gold and Phoenician treasure.

• treasure
• phoenician
• gold
• cave
• archaeologists

Dr. Simpson has previously visited the island before the events of the movie. He admits to having been on the island before and reveals he left a boat and supplies on the far side. He also admits to having fired on Saul and stalking him throughout the night, suggesting he has a personal stake in the island's secrets beyond the treasure hunt.

Foreshadowing: The Doctor explains he has been pursuing Saul all night and had previously visited the island.

• doctor
• simpson
• history
• island
• previous visit

Rose survives by attacking Michael with an oil lamp. When the deformed Michael attacks her in the burning house, she flings the oil lamp at him, setting him ablaze. The fire spreads to the house and connected cave, destroying the island's structures while Rose and the remaining men escape.

Foreshadowing: The house and cave have been established as the primary danger zones throughout the narrative.

• rose
• michael
• fire
• survive
• oil lamp
• burn

Saul murders anyone who comes to the island because he has become a dangerous recluse obsessed with guarding his family's secrets and the treasure. Years of isolation in the caves after his wife's death have driven him insane. He kills the initial seamen, then continues murdering the archaeological team to prevent them from discovering his existence or taking the treasure.

Foreshadowing: The warning that the island may still harbor a madman who has already murdered three young people establishes Saul's pattern.

• saul
• murder
• madman
• isolation
• treasure
• guard

Saul destroys the boat's radio, cutting off the expedition from outside help. This is discovered when the scientists return to the boat and find it has been blown up. The radio destruction is the madman's work, confirming the danger is deliberate and calculated.

Foreshadowing: The unusual noise that unsettles the team earlier may be connected to Saul's sabotage activities.

• boat
• radio
• destroyed
• saul
• cut off
• communication

The island's eerie lack of life, no seabirds, no usual island sounds, signals the presence of something wrong and dangerous. This unnatural stillness suggests the island is cursed or contaminated by the dark events that occurred there. The absence of life creates an unsettling atmosphere that foreshadows the horror to come.

Foreshadowing: Upon landing, the crew immediately notices the eerie lack of life on the island.

• island
• birds
• life
• stillness
• cursed
• atmosphere