The 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 CHILL-FILLED Festival of HORROR!

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 | England | Devil | False Accusation | Shed

Cast

Patrick Wymark	...	The Judge
Linda Hayden	...	Angel Blake
Barry Andrews	...	Ralph Gower
Michele Dotrice	...	Margaret
Wendy Padbury	...	Cathy Vespers
Anthony Ainley	...	Reverend Fallowfield
Charlotte Mitchell	...	Ellen Vespers
Tamara Ustinov	...	Rosalind Barton
Simon Williams	...	Peter Edmonton
James Hayter	...	Squire Middleton (as James Hoyter)
Howard Goorney	...	The Doctor
Avice Landone	...	Isobel Banham (as Avice Landon)
Robin Davies	...	Mark Vespers
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Harry Fielder	...	Militiaman (uncredited)
Denis Gilmore	...	Red Haired Coven Member (uncredited)
Geoffrey Hughes	...	Drinking Villager (uncredited)
Godfrey James	...	Mr. Blake - Angel's Father (uncredited)
Eric Mason	...	Villager (uncredited)
Andrew McCulloch	...	Villager (uncredited)
Derrick O'Connor	...	Member of Mob Chasing Margaret (uncredited)
Yvonne Paul	...	Dancing Girl (uncredited)
Milton Reid	...	Dog Handler (uncredited)
Jill Riddick	...	Coven Member (uncredited)
Lesley Roach	...	Actress (uncredited)
Roberta Tovey	...	Coven Member (uncredited)
Jason Twelvetrees	...	Ned Carter - Woodsman (uncredited)
Anna Wing	...	Villager (uncredited)

Directed by
Piers Haggard

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

Produced by
Peter L. Andrews	....	producer
Malcolm Heyworth	....	producer (as Malcolm B. Heyworth)
Tony Tenser	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Marc Wilkinson

Cinematography by
Dick Bush

Film Editing by
Richard Best

Casting by
Weston Drury Jr.

Art Direction by
Arnold Chapkis

Makeup Department
Olga Angelinetta	....	hair stylist
Eddie Knight	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Ron Jackson	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Stephen Christian	....	assistant director
Bill Westley	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Milly Burns	....	set dresser
Ken Softley	....	construction manager

Sound Department
Ken Barker	....	dubbing mixer
Tony Dawe	....	sound mixer
Mike Silverlock	....	boom operator
William Trent	....	sound editor (as Bill Trent)
Graham V. Hartstone	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Otto Snel	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Reg Hall	....	grip
Dudley Lovell	....	camera operator
Mike Rutter	....	focus puller
Harry Woodley	....	gaffer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Dulcie Midwinter	....	wardrobe mistress

Editorial Department
David Block	....	colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Marc Wilkinson	....	conductor

Other crew
Josie Fulford	....	continuity
Caroline Langley	....	production secretary

Production Companies

• Tigon British Film Productions
• Chilton Films

Distributors

• Tigon Film Distributors (1971) (UK) (theatrical)
• Cannon Releasing Corp. (1971) (USA) (theatrical)
• Cinépix Film Properties (CFP) (1971) (Canada) (theatrical)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1993) (USA) (VHS) (for Warner Home Video)
• Warner Home Video (1993) (USA) (VHS) (for)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• Koch Media (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (UK) (200?) (UK) (DVD)
• CIC Video (19??) (Canada) (video) (as "Blood on Satan's Claw")
• Facets Multimedia Distribution (????) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• General Screen Enterprises  titles and opticals

Also Known As:

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:

On her first day of filming, star Linda Hayden cut her foot badly and had to be rushed to a local hospital for stitches.

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:Doctor, I am leaving soon. As a favor, might I request the loan of this book? It might merit further study.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss: Home Counties Horror (#1.2)" (2010)

Curse the day the devil came to town.

Set in a small English country town in the 17th Century a farmer unearths inhuman remains that are covered with fur. So he gets the judge of the town to view it, but the evidence has strangely disappeared. After the discovery about the skull and fuss about, weird and horrific occurrences start developing with the appearance of the devil's claw. Also some of the children of the village led by Angel are committing unspeakable terror and performing satanic rituals in a desecrated church in the woods to restore their master.

Atmospheric brilliance on director Piers Haggard's part! Jeez, it was hard to shake off the powerfully foreboding and frantic awe that pierced the air. Mood is a very big key to this film's success in pulling you in with its pervasively chilling and subtle imprint. Visually, Haggard manages to create a beautifully staged period horror by capturing the times and making the most of it's brooding countryside and quiet rural life. What gave it such an embracing atmosphere was that it was mostly shot on location. The beautiful backdrop works rather well with the contrast to the devilishly acts occurring in the peaceful valley. Another thing that hit me and added more to building upon the feel, was the strikingly effective, fine tuned camera-work and the robust score that generates momentum with its unsteady vibe. Also the faintly placed sound effects really do scratch away and cause sudden chills! The classy performances are all strong from the British cast with some richly developed characters. But it's Linda Hayden (Taste the blood of Dracula) luminous performance as Angel Bleak the manipulative evil prowess who stands by the devil's right hand doing his work that makes the film very memorable. Also Patrick Wymark is exceptional as the Judge, the highly placed leader and hero of the town's folk. Maybe the film could have done with a star actor to give it an added boost, but those involved were more then perfect anyway. These provocative aspects took shape and simply completed the film.

The immensely original plot manages to incorporate a whole lot things ranging from folklore tales of witchcraft and Satanism practice to sexuality involving temptation, seduction and lust. This is all done with a serious face. I wouldn't call the plot flawless, as there are many unexplained and meaningless events associated within the material, but it does inject many unexpected turns. It plays around with idea that some sort of curse has hit the town with the devil's presence sinisterly lurking beneath the cracks. Although, it's not terribly all about the devil, but on the innocence of the children, to how the devil has preyed upon them to do his bidding and that's what makes this rather eerie to the bone. Since this is kind of sexually charged in a semi-way, it does provide nudity, but it's not overly graphic when it came to the violence. The gore is low. Though, saying that it does provide some disturbing, raw and perverse images that have the force to stun. It's terrifyingly unpleasant and malevolent in small patches. Like the intense ferocity of the rape scene. Now onto the make-up. Well, the devil design stays mostly hidden in a black cloak, well that's up until the end were we get a clear shot. It's not so bad for the budget. Like so many have pointed out - the only real disappointment in my eyes was the under-whelming conclusion, after being squeezed real tight with tension it just fizzles out without a bang.

Obviously there was profound talent involved, they put their heart into this low-budget production and it all came together perfectly to be highly regarded by those who've seen it. I for one agree. Highly recommended.

By the way I love the original movie poster artwork for this flick. It's damn creepy!