The Devil's Widow (1970)
"The Ballad of Tam Lin" (original title)

Based on an ancient Scottish folk song, an older woman uses witchcraft to keep her young jet-set friends.

Director:

Roddy McDowall

Writer:

William Spier (original screenplay)

Stars:

Ava Gardner, Ian McShane, Richard Wattis

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ava Gardner	...	Michaela Cazaret
Ian McShane	...	Tom Lynn
Richard Wattis	...	Elroy
Cyril Cusack	...	Vicar Julian Ainsley
Stephanie Beacham	...	Janet Ainsley
David Whitman	...	Oliver
Fabia Drake	...	Miss Gibson
Sinéad Cusack	...	Rose (as Sinead Cusack)
Joanna Lumley	...	Georgia
Jenny Hanley	...	Caroline
Madeline Smith	...	Sue
Bruce Robinson	...	Alan
Victoria Fairbrother	...	Vanna (as Pamela Farbrother)
Rosemary Blake	...	Kate
Michael Bills	...	Michael

Storyline

Based on the ancient Scottish ballad "Tam Lin" (one of it's many titles), the plot concerns an aging, beautiful woman who uses her wealth (and occasionally, witchcraft) to control a decadent pack of attractive young people she surrounds herself with. But when her latest young stud falls for the local vicar's daughter, she vows revenge.

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Plot Keywords:

older woman younger man relationship | grande dame guignol | independent film

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Devil's Widow

Filming Locations:

Traquair House, Innerleithen, Peebles, Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Commonwealth United Entertainment, Winkast Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the only film directed by Roddy McDowall.

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Connections

Referenced in Ban the Sadist Videos! (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Tam Lin"
Written by Bert Jansch, Jacqui McShee, Terry Cox, John Renbourn and Danny Thompson
Performed by The Pentangle

User Reviews

sense of presence for the film

I enjoyed Ava Gardner's sense of age of Aquarius presence for the film. I would have appreciated seeing more films directed by Roddy McDowall. True works of art always have always been birthed from turmoil. The male leads were memorable (Ian McShane)…."You wasted my life….You won't let me go…". The movie helped me respect my middle-age and desire to have something more to life than impending old age and empty nest syndrome. I can't wait to find a bright orange outfit like the one Ava wore in the opening scene. "Give him back……." (so memorable). The character's Scottish retreat appears to offer the viewer a permanent round of relaxation and welcome (along with a picnic basket of memorable one liners!) All the characters were interesting to watch unfold - male accountant; (my favorite was the fortune teller. The plot moves too quickly to convey very mature feelings in a immature world of valley of the doll babies. Tom makes the potentially fatal error of falling in love with the daughter of the local vicar – he should have stayed with Micky. This movie was not sluggish and uneventful; it gets better as it progresses into the story. I would recommend this film as a sleeper and a keeper! (smile)