mark.waltz Nobody will mourn the truly wicked in this delicious supernatural thriller of a devoted wife (Janet Blair) who knows that something wicked this way comes as she casts spells to protect husband Peter Wyngard. Extreme envy and false accusations leads an unknown source to declare vengeance on psychology professor Wyngard, and that insights wife Blair to reach into her bag of tricks to protect him from harm. But his own disbelief gets him into trouble as he orders her to toss away her bag of protective tricks, leading to instant terror which occurs as soon as he burns the protective powders and picture she keeps in a locket. Things go from bad to worse, making Blair susceptible to the magic powers of the demonic forces out there, leading her to decide to take her own life in order to save his. It is quickly proven that true evil comes from forces you cannot see or often control as Wyngard opens his eyes to what is really going on and must take steps to stop it before both his and his wife's lives are taken from this great force from beyond hell itself.Incredible acting from the two stars makes this psychological horror film one of the best of its genre's. The source from where the evil comes from is a true surprise and the perpetrator gives a performance of such delicious eccentricity and innocence that it does indeed turn out to be a huge surprise. This is the type of film that may chill you to the bone as every step of evil taken to destroy these two occurs with such delicious cunning, resulting in a confrontation that can only be described as spine tingling. The presence of a real threat to both Wyngard and Blair occurs simultaneously, and one can truly hear their heart pounding as the film reaches a stunning conclusion. Terrific pacing, a brilliant script and a haunting atmosphere of subtle evil disguised as innocence makes this a must. Veteran voice over actor Paul Frees provides an opening that sets the tone, and the supporting players (which includes "Black Narcissus" psycho nun Kathleen Byron as well as Margaret Johnston and Colin Gordon.

begob A dashing young professor with his star on the rise is disturbed to find his wife using witchcraft to protect him from the envy of his peers. But his logic flies out the window when malign forces come to beat down his door.Decent thriller with a blend of the psychological and supernatural. The story is solid, although it mostly feels like a padded out episode of The Twilight Zone until the trippy ending elevates the terror. There is a mis-step in the plot, as the rape allegation trails off without giving an insight on the antagonist and it's only when you think back that it makes sense. And the car accident is annoying, with no favours done for the credibility of the hero.It's well shot, especially the seaside locations in Cornwall and the close ups on the veeery interesting face of the actress playing Flora. I do think the lead actress was miscast as she's not sufficiently fey or sweet.The music is dramatic, though not overdone.

AaronCapenBanner Sidney Hayers directed this British adaptation of the Fritz Leiber novel(previously filmed as "Weird Woman" with Lon Chaney Jr.) that stars Peter Wyngarde as a skeptical college professor who is disdainful of anything supernatural or magic, who is shocked to learn that his wife Tansy(played by Janet Blair) is a practicing witch! She insists that it is because of her good magic that he has proved so successful, but he scoffs and destroys her protective charms; strangely, his luck takes a distinct turn for the worse as a result, as it is also obvious that someone else is targeting them with bad magic as well... Good cast in this moderately interesting thriller that does become somewhat too talky, but still mostly works, with exciting ending.

bobvend Originally titled "Night Of The Eagle", this is a very effective chiller with fine acting throughout. Linda..err..Janet Blair plays a housewife with a hobby that proves too strange for her professor husband (Peter Wyngarde) to turn a blind eye to. When hubby makes his wife give up her spooky pastime, things start to hit the fan in short order. There are some nice touches here that foreshadow later horror masterpieces, "Rosemary's Baby" in particular. Faculty life at the quaint northern England college is rife with not-so-petty jealousies and a back-stabbing or two. The main um...(pot)stirrer on the staff, wonderfully played by Margaret Johnston, makes it known early on that she's a witch with a capital "B".A very attractive and more-than-capable cast, a good atmospheric production that does itself proud in black & white; and just when the suspense begins to sag a bit, a very good surprise twist. It's all here, and well worth your time.