Night Creatures (1962)
"Captain Clegg" (original title)

In this engaging costume melodrama of skulduggery on the low seas set back in the 18th-century, the Royal Crown suspects a bit of smuggling is going on in this locale, and they send Captain... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Graham Scott

Writers:

Anthony Hinds (screenplay), Barbara S. Harper (additional dialogue),

Stars:

Peter Cushing, Yvonne Romain, Patrick Allen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Cushing	...	Rev. Dr. Blyss
Yvonne Romain	...	Imogene - serving wench
Patrick Allen	...	Captain Collier
Oliver Reed	...	Harry Cobtree
Michael Ripper	...	Jeremiah Mipps (coffinmaker)
Martin Benson	...	Mr. Rash (innkeeper)
David Lodge	...	Navy Bosun
Derek Francis	...	Squire Anthony Cobtree
Daphne Anderson	...	Mrs. Rash
Milton Reid	...	Mulatto
Jack MacGowran	...	Frightened Man
Peter Halliday	...	1st Sailor Jack Pott
Terry Scully	...	2nd Sailor Dick Tate
Sydney Bromley	...	Old Tom Ketch
Rupert Osborne	...	Gerry (as Rupert Osborn)

Storyline

In this engaging costume melodrama of skulduggery on the low seas set back in the 18th-century, the Royal Crown suspects a bit of smuggling is going on in this locale, and they send Captain Collier and his crew to check it out. As the Captain gets into his investigation, mysterious swamp phantoms cloud up the real issue which seems plain enough to see. Captain Collier suspects that the odd village vicar might be hiding something, and what better way to do that than by fortuitous ghosts to scare away the curious, or by posing as someone he is not?

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Plot Keywords:

captain | smuggling | marsh | 18th century | ghost | 

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Taglines:

Their oath was... TERROR! Their cry... BLOOD!

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Genres:

Drama | Adventure | Horror

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 June 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

Night Creatures

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hammer Film Productions, Major Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was based on Russell Thorndike's "Doctor Syn - A Tale of Romney Marsh," but Dr. Syn's name was changed to Blyss to avoid legal problems with Walt Disney, who claimed exclusive rights to Thorndike's stories.

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Connections

Remake of Doctor Syn (1937)

User Reviews

Unusual Hammer film--a historical drama with horrific touches

In 18th century England a kind minister (Peter Cushing) in a small community is actually smuggling things to help the town. Also there are the Marsh Phantoms--skeletons that seem to ride horses at night and terrorize the town. Soldiers come to investigate.

A strange film for Hammer--it's not really horror but the Marsh Phantoms (wisely used only twice) are pretty scary. I personally didn't like this too much--I've never liked historical dramas. Still it's well-done, the DVD transfer is just beautiful and it's amusing to see Cushing (having a whale of a time) playing a minister and Olver Reed as the romantic lead! I just found the story muddled and figured out the twist at the end long before it was revealed.

Not a disaster--just so-so. I give it a 7.