The Bloody Judge (1970)

Christopher Lee plays the Lord Chief Justice of 17th century England who condemns women as witches to further his political and sexual needs.

Director:

Jesús Franco (as J. Frank Manera)

Writers:

Enrico Colombo (adaptation) (as E. Colombo), Jesús Franco (adaptation)

Stars:

Christopher Lee, Maria Schell, Leo Genn

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Christopher Lee	...	Judge Jeffries
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

Storyline

Christopher Lee plays the Lord Chief Justice of 17th century England who condemns women as witches to further his political and sexual needs.

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Plot Keywords:

england | costume horror | female nudity | witch trial | witch hunt | 

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Taglines:

Horror will hold you helpless!

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Genres:

Biography | Horror

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Liechtenstein Italy Spain West Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Night of the Blood Monster

Box Office

Gross:

ESP 18,713,190 (Spain)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fénix Cooperativa Cinematográfica, Prodimex Film, Terra-Filmkunst

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min (banned)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Quotes

Lord George Jeffreys: Take this bitch away, she that she goes to London in chains.

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Connections

Referenced in Cuadecuc, vampir (1971)

User Reviews

One of Jess Franco's best efforts

This is actually one of Jess Franco's better films; a relatively high budget goes a long way in creating some authentic locations and costumes in this historical drama. The film is also refreshingly free (well, not totally) of the pointless zoom shots of which Franco was so proud. The original title was NIGHT OF THE BLOOD MONSTER, but as there are no monsters involved, it seems to bear little relation to the film and THE BLOODY JUDGE is indeed far more apt. Christopher Lee plays the cruel judge who has blood on his hands as he finds all suspected witches guilty and sends them to be burnt alive.

The film is very similar storyline to WITCHFINDER GENERAL, an obvious influence, as well as MARK OF THE DEVIL. The film has a lot going in its favour, but ultimately it fails to be a masterpiece due to the confusing editing and disjointed feel to the whole thing. While the threadbare plot is nothing new, it gives ample opportunity for Franco to delight in what he likes best: naked women, and plenty of torture scenes, including a woman being whipped and (the most wince-inducing) a bloodied woman stretched on the rack.

Christopher Lee gives a tour-de-force performance in the title role and he's perfectly cast as the cruel, tyrannical lawman. His portrayal of the corrupt and seemingly powerful leader who is plagued by inner demons is an insightful one. Lee is surrounded by some top Euro crumpet, indeed Franco fills out the cast with lots of beautiful women who get variously tortured and murdered. Franco favourite Howard Vernon enjoys himself as an executioner.

Those who enjoyed the aforementioned classic with Vincent Price will be sure to delight in this very similar film. Attention to detail is surprisingly thorough, and the costumes and sets are brilliant. Without the grisly torture sequences the film would be an interesting, engaging historical story of a barbaric time in Britain, but with them, it becomes an accurate portrayal of the violent and perverse state that the country was in. Worth seeing for Lee's memorable performance alone, this may not be a very good film, but it's definitely better than you might have come to expect from exploitation king Franco.