This Horror Movie is much Better than it Ought to be Considering its Troubled Production. Hammer Studios was in Dire Straits and this was the One that was going to Save the Beloved British Studio. Although it made a Tidy Profit, it was Not to be.
It was Hammer's Biggest Budget Movie, went on Multiple Locations, but it wasn't in the Tarot Cards as the Studio Closed it Doors just one Film Later (a non Horror Film, a remake of The Lady Vanishes).
The Film has a Cast of well Knowns including Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee, Honor Blackman and Nastassja Kinski (her age is referenced anywhere from 15-17 depending on the source). This is Significant because the Actress has some Daring Sex Scenes.
After Completion Chris Lee, Richard Widmark, and Author of the Source Material Dennis Wheatley all but Disowned the Movie. One can see why, but then again, it seems Like a bit of Insincere Embarrassment and Over Reaction.
Sure it is Lurid, Gross, Bloody, and Disturbing in its Seventies Exploitation kind of way. After all, it was "The Exorcist" (1972) that made oodles of Money and Everyone, including the Cash Hungry Hammer were trying to Emulate. Even Today "The Exorcist" and this one are Lurid, Gross, Bloody, and Disturbing. So...What The?
The Movie is Worth a Watch for a number of reasons and will Deliver the Goods to Horror Fans and Fangoria Types. It may not be as Good as its Inspirations but the Movie is Odd enough and Gory enough and with that Cast, it finds itself in Cult Film Status despite the Rushed and Disappointing Ending and the on the Set Bickering.
It's a Nasty Bit of Business this, and a number of Things make it Interesting, and a Good Try for Hammer. It was just that Their Time was Up and Others would have to Carry On the Tradition. R.I.P. Hammer Horror.
It was Hammer's Biggest Budget Movie, went on Multiple Locations, but it wasn't in the Tarot Cards as the Studio Closed it Doors just one Film Later (a non Horror Film, a remake of The Lady Vanishes).
The Film has a Cast of well Knowns including Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee, Honor Blackman and Nastassja Kinski (her age is referenced anywhere from 15-17 depending on the source). This is Significant because the Actress has some Daring Sex Scenes.
After Completion Chris Lee, Richard Widmark, and Author of the Source Material Dennis Wheatley all but Disowned the Movie. One can see why, but then again, it seems Like a bit of Insincere Embarrassment and Over Reaction.
Sure it is Lurid, Gross, Bloody, and Disturbing in its Seventies Exploitation kind of way. After all, it was "The Exorcist" (1972) that made oodles of Money and Everyone, including the Cash Hungry Hammer were trying to Emulate. Even Today "The Exorcist" and this one are Lurid, Gross, Bloody, and Disturbing. So...What The?
The Movie is Worth a Watch for a number of reasons and will Deliver the Goods to Horror Fans and Fangoria Types. It may not be as Good as its Inspirations but the Movie is Odd enough and Gory enough and with that Cast, it finds itself in Cult Film Status despite the Rushed and Disappointing Ending and the on the Set Bickering.
It's a Nasty Bit of Business this, and a number of Things make it Interesting, and a Good Try for Hammer. It was just that Their Time was Up and Others would have to Carry On the Tradition. R.I.P. Hammer Horror.