Blood on Satan's Claw (1971)

Director:

Piers Haggard

Writers:

Robert Wynne-Simmons (written by)
Piers Haggard (additional material)

Release Date:

January 1971 (UK)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

A living nightmare of black magic... and unspeakable evil!

Plot:

Horror thriller set in 17th century England about the children of a village slowly converting into a coven of devil worshipers. |

Plot Keywords:

17th Century | Devil | Ruins | Satan | England

Cast

Patrick Wymark	...	The Judge
Linda Hayden	...	Angel Blake
Barry Andrews	...	Ralph Gower
Michele Dotrice	...	Margaret
James Hayter	...	Squire Middleton (also as James Hoyter)
Anthony Ainley	...	Reverend Fallowfield
Howard Goorney	...	The Doctor
Avice Landone	...	Isobel Banham (as Avice Landon)
Charlotte Mitchell	...	Ellen Vespers
Wendy Padbury	...	Cathy Vespers
Tamara Ustinov	...	Rosalind Barton
Simon Williams	...	Peter Edmonton
Robin Davies	...	Mark Vespers

Also Known As:

Satan's Skin (UK) (working title)
The Devil's Skin (UK) (original script title)
The Devil's Touch (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Germany:16 | UK:18 | UK:X (original rating) | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1972) | Sweden:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Bix Bottom Valley, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Tigon British Film Productions

Trivia:

At one point Christopher Lee was suggested for the role of the Judge but was considered to be too expensive.

Goofs:

Factual errors: There are two spelling errors in the opening titles: the production company is called Tigron instead of Tigon (in the copyright notice beneath the main title), and screen veteran James Hayter is billed as James Hoyter.

Quotes:

The Judge: Ralph here claims he discovered a deformed anatomy in those furrows. Knew you any such?
Reverend Fallowfield: Not since Meg Parsons died. But strange folk have been seen to pass this way from time to time.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "TCM Underground: Blood on Satan's Claw/The Brotherhood of Satan (#1.36)" (2008)

One of the best British horror movies of the early 70s, and no, it's NOT Hammer.

The British horror boom of the 60s and 70s was dominated by Hammer, but a couple of other studios, Amicus and Tigon, tried their best to make their mark. Amicus are probably the better remembered of the two, with a few well loved anthologies to their credit (e.g. 'Asylum'), but Tigon actually made the better movies, especially the now classic 'Witchfinder General', directed by doomed cult figure Michael Reeves, as well as 'The Creeping Flesh', and 'The Blood On Satan's Claw', which is what 'Satan's Skin' is best known as. This movie frequently gets compared to 'Witchfinder General', but apart from being set in a similar era, and even having one actor in common (Patrick Wymark who plays The Judge here had a small cameo as Oliver Cromwell in 'Witchfinder General') they are quite different in approach and execution. Piers Haggard is no Michael Reeves but he's had an interesting career which has included the underrated final 'Quatermass' series (which starred Sir John Mills) and the entertaining Oliver Reed/Klaus Kinski exploitation thriller 'Venom', as well as working with Dennis Potter on 'Pennies From Heaven'. I still don't think 'Blood On Satan's Claw' is as good as 'Witchfinder General', but it's an excellent chiller nevertheless, and one of the most underrated British horror movies of all time. Like Reeves Haggard knows how to make the most of a small budget, and he manages to create an unsettling and creepy atmosphere. Also like Reeves he makes brilliant use of the English countryside. Patrick Wymark sadly died shortly after completing this movie, but it's a good testament to his talent. He gives a terrific performance. Also look out for his work in 'Repulsion' and 'Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun'. Seventies sex siren Linda Hayden ('Baby Doll', 'Madhouse', 'House On Straw Hill') is also memorable as Angel Blake, the leader of a Satanic group of young villagers. She looks absolutely stunning, and has one unforgettable nude scene. The supporting cast includes a few familiar faces, most notably Michelle Dotrice ('Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em') who plays Margaret, and Wendy Padbury (Zoe from 'Dr Who') who plays Cathy. The only thing I can really fault with this movie is the ending, which is a bit rushed and anti-climactic, but apart from that it's one of the best British horror movies of the early 70s, and highly recommended viewing.