nightroses It's the symbol throughout this film, of wild flowers all picked either for someone's grave, as gifts or worn as a crown during a Satanic ritual. Scenes of these wild white flowers are in the countryside of the rural village where the film is set. It's got a handsome lord's son Peter who takes home his fiance, a peasant girl who's disliked by Peter's aunt. She's forced to sleep in the attic, where she screams and goes mad then carted off, giving Peter a dozy smile. Peter's uncle is the judge who acts as the official and also skeptic on matters of weirdness. Things have happened among the kids after a strange body was discovered by Ralph the young strong farmer and hero. The local school teacher is the vicar and he's never pleased while the kids pass around objects that look sinister. I disliked the rape scene and yet there was some form of evil influence going on among the people involved. The film isn't as big as "The Wicker Man" or "Witchfinder General" although it's far more earthy, grubby, sore and quieter.

christopher-underwood Fabulous and early English 70s horror, very much in the vein of Wicker Man and if it doesn't quite have that magical something the often inferior film does have, it does have considerable blood and guts. Set very much in the English countryside, this haunting and scary tale drags us into all sorts of horror, both perceived and actual. We never quite see the devilish being, cleverly avoided with harsh and frantic close-ups and discordant sound, but we get a wince inducing 'devil's skin' removal scene and many a violent act. We also get to see much more pleasant young female skin and some crazy and believable woodland set witchcraft scenes. I'm not sure I liked the 'oldie world' language moments and one or two of the births acting stalwarts were a bit lacking but overall everyone dealt very well with an excellent script and confident direction with splendid editing.

Sean Jump The Blood on Satan's Claw isn't a Hammer production--but it should be! Exhibiting many of Hammer's trademark features--the Gothic setting, a diabolic threat that lives on the border of civilization, a complex hero with touches of darkness in his character, and a beautiful temptress--The Blood on Satan's Claw was actually a Tigon effort, and one that in many ways surpassed contemporary Hammer releases. In fact, the quality of The Blood on Satan's Claw is so fine, and the thrills it induces so powerful, that one can't help wondering just why the Gothic horror picture was on its way out. Few of the slasher films that would permeate the genre in the coming years can hold a candle to this picture.The Blood on Satan's Claw is a tale of an ancient evil reborn. A farmer unwittingly plows up a strange corpse, but the alien body disappears before the local judge can investigate. Soon, terrible things begin to happen, and the local youth seem to have all gone over the edge, perhaps into witchcraft. The Judge, played to perfection by Patrick Waymark, is a flawed individual, to say the least. He is dedicated to doing the right thing, true enough, but he is also harsh, cold, haughty, and judgmental. He is also very reluctant to concede that what he considers to be superstition is at work in his village even after evil begins to manifest itself in some very conspicuous ways, and only begins to realize the truth when it is very nearly too late.The other exceptional performance in the film belongs to the lovely Linda Hayden, who the previous year had starred in Hammer's Taste the Blood of Dracula. Hayden plays the young woman who becomes the leader of the strange cult which infects most of the village youth, and it is she who orchestrates much of the terror which ensues. Her character, ironically named Angel, is a seductress of a particularly haunting power, and it's hard to conceive of any actress from that era playing the part any better.The story does move a bit slowly, but the drama unfolds with conviction and a realistic touch which many more explosive films lack. The ultimate climax, in which the villagers square off against the coven of witches and their demonic master, is perhaps a bit of a letdown in that it's over very quickly, but when the final credits roll the viewer is still left with a very satisfied feeling. Frightening and atmospheric as only a Gothic can be, The Blood on Satan's Claw is a well-acted and produced horror picture that should appeal especially to fans of Hammer productions.

Matt Kracht Personally, I thought this was better than The Wicker Man, the movie it probably gets compared to most often. I loved everything about this movie, though the frequent female nudity was somewhat cheesy (though not especially gratuitous, as it fit into the movie and plot well).The best part of this movie, I think, is the atmosphere that so many horror and thriller films seem to lack. It's the little things, like a brief glance of someone's fingers replaced by demonic claws, that put you in the mood to be creeped out and told a story of helpless village overcome by evil.I find it interesting that the children and young adults who rebel against the stern authority of the Church, frolic in the woods, and preach free love are essentially hippies, though they're portrayed as self-centered hedonists, rather than idealists and peaceniks. It's a sly attempt at social commentary in an exploitation movie, which may seem amusingly quaint to modern audiences, 40 years later.Highly recommended, especially for fans of classic 70s horror.