Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Anthony Sharp | ... | Father Xavier Meldrum | |
Susan Penhaligon | ... | Jenny Welch | |
Stephanie Beacham | ... | Vanessa Welch | |
Norman Eshley | ... | Father Bernard Cutler | |
Sheila Keith | ... | Miss Brabazon | |
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Hilda Barry | ... | Mrs. Meldrum |
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Stewart Bevan | ... | Terry Wyatt (as Stuart Bevan) |
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Julia McCarthy | ... | Mrs. Davey |
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John Yule | ... | Robert (as Jon Yule) |
Bill Kerr | ... | Mr. Davey | |
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Victor Winding | ... | Dr. Gaudio |
Jack Allen | ... | GP | |
Kim Butcher | ... | Valerie Davey | |
Ivor Salter | ... | Gravedigger | |
Andrew Sachs | ... | Man in Church |
A troubled young girl goes to confession at the local church. Unfortunately, the sexually frustrated priest she confesses to becomes obsessed with her. At first, the priest stalks the girl, but later it is revealed that he will stop at nothing, including blackmail and murder, just to get close to her. Written by John Hilton
This is another decent directing effort by Pete Walker with a captivating premise that is well executed and maintains a dark & macabre interest throughout (mostly), although the pacing does lag in a few places, but the brooding atmosphere & intriguing performances does enough to keep you interested until the chilling climax. The film's tone is relentlessly bleak and grim, yet the effective and really quite compelling, with some decent & chilling death scenes throughout.
The cast here are pretty-stellar with standout performances by Anthony Sharp as the demented and fantastic performance as the unhinged and repressed Father Meldrum with his layered performance that's well-written for his tortured character. Pete Walker's mainstay Shelia Keith also gives a standout performance as the overbearing housekeeper with a sinister presence. Norman Eshley & Stephanie Beacham adds some much-needed warmth with their blossoming relationship & both have decent chemistry together, despite the movie's overwhelming gloom. Then there's Susan Penhaligon who plays the troubled Jenny who becomes the object of the priest's obsession. She does a fine job, but could have been given more to do, as she's pretty much absent from the climax.
On the whole this a really cracking and tense horror/thriller with some cool Giallo elements that although the pace may drag a bit at times, its still worth a watch.