Il trono di fuoco (1970)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Jesus Franco

Writers:

Michael Haller (writer)
Harry Alan Towers (story)

Release Date:

May 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Horror will hold you helpless!

Plot Keywords:

Judge | Witch Trial | 1600s | Blind Woman | Witch Hunt

Cast

Christopher Lee	...	Lord George Jeffreys
Maria Schell	...	Mother Rosa
Leo Genn	...	Lord Wessex
Hans Hass Jr.	...	Harry Selton (as Hans Hass)
Maria Rohm	...	Mary Gray
Margaret Lee	...	Alicia Gray
Pietro Martellanza	...	Barnaby (as Peter Martell)
Howard Vernon	...	Jack Ketch
Milo Quesada	...	Satchel

Also Known As:

Der Hexentöter von Blackmoor (West Germany)
El juez sangriento (Spain)
El proceso de las brujas (Spain)
Night of the Blood Monster (USA)
The Bloody Judge
Throne of the Blood Monster (USA)
Trial of the Witches (USA)
Witch Killer of Broadmoor (USA)
Witches' Trial (USA)

Runtime:

Argentina:97 min | Spain:96 min | Sweden:94 min (banned version) | West Germany:82 min | USA:84 min

Country:

Liechtenstein | Italy | Spain | West Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:MA | Australia:R (DVD rating) | New Zealand:R18 | West Germany:18 (nf) | Argentina:16 | Sweden:15 (Banned) | UK:18 (video rating) | USA:PG

Company:

Fénix Cooperativa Cinematográfica

Trivia:

Dennis Price was originally cast as Lord Wessex but withdrew at the last moment (he was replaced by Leo Genn). Some film posters and advertising material from the time credit Price as appearing in the movie.

Quotes:

Lord George Jeffreys: You are all condemned, for crimes against king and kingdom, to hang... to dangle until you are but dead, to be then cut down still alive, to have your entrails drawn out and thrust into your own mouths, to be further hanged, then quartered like the carcasses of beef you are. You number five hundred, but even if you were five thousand, the execution of this sentence would be just before God Almighty... and may He have mercy upon your souls.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Cuadecuc, vampir (1970)

Christopher Lee - Judge Without Mercy

Jess Franco's "Il Trono di fuoco" aka. "The Bloody Judge" of 1970 is one of a bunch of early 70s exploitation flicks inspired by the success of Michael Reeves' 1968 masterpiece "Witchfinder General" (starring the great Vincent Price). People familiar with Jess Franco's cinema might expect an immensely sleazy and gruesome film that mainly takes place in torture chambers, but the film is actually tame for what one might expect. Even though there are a bunch of very brutal scenes, the level of sleaze and violence is quite low for a Jess Franco film, and the film is not even nearly as nasty as other popular 'Hexploitation' films of the time, such as the ultra-gruesome "Mark Of The Devil" from the same year. Equally surprising is the budget that was obviously quite high for Jess Franco standards, as realistic costumes and nice settings are provided.

Horror icon Christopher Lee, who worked with Jess Franco on several occasions, plays Lord George Jeffreys, the infamous and merciless judge and Lord Chancellor in England torn by strife between the reigning King James II and William of Orange. Convincend of doing what's necessary, the cruel judge mercilessly persecutes 'traitors', who sympathize with the King's opponent William of Orange, as well as 'witches', who are accused of being in league with the devil...

Christopher Lee is, as always, great in his role as the merciless judge (who is based on the infamous real-life 'hanging-judge' George 1st baron Jeffreys). Beautiful Maria Rohm, who starred in many Franco-highlights, most memorably in "Venus in Furs" and "Count Dracula", plays the female lead here, and she fits in her role very well. Jess Franco-fans will also recognize another regular in his films, Howard Vernon, who plays the executioner. Another great enrichment to the film is the great score by Bruno Nicolai. Jess Franco, one of the most prolific directors ever, has directed a bunch of absolutely awesome films, as well as total stinkers. "The Bloody Judge" is definitely one of his better films (even though, in my opinion, not one of his masterpieces), and a more than decent historical horror film. Highly recommended!