Captain Clegg (1962)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Peter Graham Scott

Writers:

Anthony Hinds (writer)
Barbara S. Harper (additional dialogue)

Release Date:

13 June 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Adventure | Horror

Tagline:

Who knows the truth about the curse of Captain Clegg?

Plot:

In this engaging costume melodrama of skulduggery on the low seas set back in the 18th-century, the...

Plot Keywords:

Captain | Smuggling | Ghost | Marsh | Lovers

Cast

Peter Cushing	...	Rev. Dr. Blyss (Capt. Clegg)
Yvonne Romain	...	Imogene Clegg (serving wench)
Patrick Allen	...	Capt. Collier
Oliver Reed	...	Harry Cobtree
Michael Ripper	...	Jeremiah Mipps (coffinmaker)
Martin Benson	...	Mr. Rash (innkeeper)
David Lodge	...	Navy bos'un
Derek Francis	...	Squire Anthony Cobtree
Daphne Anderson	...	Mrs. Rash
Milton Reid	...	The Mulatto
Jack MacGowran	...	Frightened Man
Terry Scully	...	Sailor Dick Tate
Sydney Bromley	...	Old Tom Ketch
Peter Halliday	...	Sailor Jack Pott
Rupert Osborne	...	Gerry (as Rupert Osborn)

Also Known As:

Night Creatures (USA)

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

USA:Unrated | Norway:16 (1962) | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Company:

Hammer Film Productions

Movie Connections:

Remake of Doctor Syn (1937)

A wonderfully entertaining Hammer thriller.

Enjoyable Hammer thriller about liquor smugglers at war with the Kings' men, taking place on the shore of England in the 18th century. The Captain in charge (Patrick Allen) begins to suspect some of the locals, starting with Dr. Blyss (Peter Cushing). However, he also has to deal with stories of "Marsh Phantoms" that terrorize the area.

Like other Hammer chillers, period recreation is impressive on this production. It's an atmospheric and classy tale that does have elements of horror but is not a horror film overall. The sight of the Marsh Phantoms, in any event, is creepy enough. It unfolds at a lightning pace with much good humor and a sweet romance between young lovers Harry (Oliver Reed) and Imogene (Yvonne Romain). It's the kind of exciting, rip-roaring, old-fashioned entertainment where one simply doesn't want to miss a thing. All right, so one can see the plot twists coming from a mile away, so what? It's still a ride worth taking. It has an excellent early sequence of a man being chased through the swamps by those spectres, and utilizes a particularly eerie scarecrow. The final confrontation becomes quite rousing, and the picture ends on a rather heartfelt note.

Cushing is a fine choice for the lead and he is absolutely charming. Allen is the perfect jut- jawed and determined lawman. Reed and the beautiful Romain (also seen together in "The Curse of the Werewolf" are sincere and appealing. Hammer regular Michael Ripper has a bigger than usual part and is a great comic relief character. Also contributing solid supporting performances are Martin Benson, David Lodge, Derek Francis, Milton Reid, Jack MacGowran, and Sydney Bromley.

"Night Creatures" a.k.a. "Captain Clegg" is just plain fun from beginning to end. There's not one dull moment.

8/10