A standout in folk horror is Piers (The Outcasts/Venom 1981/The Fiendish Plot of Fu Manchu) Haggard's 1971 contribution, (The) Blood on Satan's Claw.
The Hammer-styled, Cannon Film's release is commemorated by Classic Monsters of the Movies' writers/researchers Nige Burton and Jamie Jones in a 36-page, high-stock, deluxe edition, which leaves no sinful stone unturned when covering the 18th-century-based, rustic fable. (For example, how many know that the movie commenced as an anthology?)
The plot, coscripted by Haggard with Robert (The Outcasts/The Judgment of Albion) Wynne-Simmons, underscores Burton & Jones' text, where a farmer disinters an "inhuman" corpse that the neighboring, young people believe harbors a advantageous, dark spirit. In the wake of its manifestation, a foreshadowing, demonic possession occurs, as well as a horrific, self-mutilation, underscored by a lass named Angel Blake, who harbors the corpse's "claw" and applies ritualistic telepathy to spur hideous, hairy splotches on the villagers' skin. They're compelled to cut these marks from their flesh and offer them to the reconstructing apparition. This leaves those yet unmarked to cower, but a haughty yet disciplined judge defies the supernatural coercion, marching forth to purge the community of Satan's hold.
Much of Satan's Claw's springs from its cast: Linda (Taste the Blood of Dracula/Madhouse/Night Watch/Vampira/Queen Kong) Hayden (who submits a potent, nude scene), Barry (Dracula Has Risen from the Grave/The Spy Who Loved Me/Doctor Who) Andrews; Patrick (Witchfinder General/Dr. Syn/Children of the Damned/The Skull/Repulsion) Wymark; Tamara (The Last Horror Movie/Blood From the Mummy's Tomb) Ustinov, Michele (And Soon the Darkness/Late Night Horror/The Witches) Dotrice; Howard (Berserk!/The Evil of Frankenstein/To the Devil a Daughter/Crucible of Horror) Goorney; Simon (Agony/The Uncanny) Williams; Robin (If.../Catweazle/Warship) Davies, Wendy (Doctor Who/Freewheelers) Padbury; Anthony (Doctor Who/You Only Live Twice/The Land That Time Forgot) Ainley; Charlotte (Village of the Damned/The Adventures of Black Beauty) Mitchell; as well as other, stately performers, met by pleasing biographies, including such contributors as cinematographer Dick (Twins of Evil/Dracula A.D. 1972/Phase IV/The Sorcerers) Bush and producer Tony (The Creeping Flesh/The Blood Beast Terror/Repulsion/The Sorcerers) Tenser, whose know-how accentuates the production's idyllic menace.
As with other Classic Monsters releases, Burton and Jones share insightful trivia and quotes from the entry, while uplifting their thorough text with vibrant stills and publicity tie-ins.
Satan's Claw has been too often overlooked by certain, foolhardy sectors, but despite its occasional flaws (and what movie is devoid of such?), it does deserve full, "classic" designation; many thanks to Burton and Jones for giving it the high, devilish designation it deserves.
Order at
https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/blood-on-satans-claw-1971-ultimate-guide-signed-art-print/
No comments:
Post a Comment