Venus-25 Those reasons are two actors and the production look.This early look at Keith Michell was a treat, to see him as he was prior to his true star turn as Henry VIII in that excellent BBC miniseries. He is a great historical chameleon who looks authentic in any period of history and can speak all versions of English. Peter Cushing is virtually unrecognizable as the lawyer whose beard is totally out of fashion in this era of both vice and enlightenment. Good performances by both.The 18-century costumes were spectacularly accurate and well-done and the actors wore and moved in them well. The sets were worth of Hammer's usual period setting work. However, the harem-girl stuff on the exploited females will always remind me of Hollywood drivel.The story is an Alexandre Dumas-style cliché which could have worked with a little more effort on the writers' part. In the hands of actors less capable than Keith Michell, Peter Cushing, and Peter Arne, this would have been an even bigger mess.

Jonathon Dabell Historically speaking, the Hellfire Club was the name given to a number of secret sects and societies in the 18th and 19th century. Often the members consisted of aristocrats and politicians. The most notorious Hellfire Club of all – and the one people think of immediately at mention of the name - was run by Francis Dashwood in the mid-18th century. This sect practised devil worshipping, animal sacrifices, sorcery, wife-swapping, orgies and other such infamies. This 1961 movie draws its inspiration from Dashwood's club, but the promise of sensationalism and titillation is quickly ditched in favour of a more wholesome approach. There's little that is gruesome or sexual here; this is a brisk, clean family swashbuckler, totally enjoyable whilst on and totally forgettable once finished.Young aristocratic cousins Jason and Thomas discover their parents are involved in a depraved secret society. Thomas is perversely thrilled by the discovery; Jason utterly horrified by it. Jason is spirited away by his mother and ends up on the continent working as part of a travelling circus troupe. Thomas stays behind in England, and seizes titles, estates and land that rightfully should have belonged to Jason. Many years later, adult Jason (Keith Michell) returns to England to claim his birthright. By now, adult Thomas (Peter Arne) has become a wicked and powerful senior figure who runs a depraved secret society of his own, safe from prosecution because half the lawmen and politicians in the land are already members of his clandestine sect. Jason is persuaded by wily lawyer Merryweather (Peter Cushing) that he will need evidence if he is to depose Thomas and claim back his title. He goes undercover as a stable boy, intending to find and steal documents which will prove his identity. But the quest is fraught with danger, and Jason knows that if Thomas ever learns his true identity he will be killed for sure....In his first leading role, Keith Michell makes a rather attractive hero – smooth, spirited and righteous. Arne as the villain wears his best villainous sneer and generates plenty of boos and hisses. The rest of the cast are essentially there for window dressing, although guest star Cushing creates a memorable characterisation as the cunning lawyer Merryweather (it would be nice if he had a little more screen time). Technically there's nothing wrong with the film – it is brightly shot, judiciously edited and solidly staged. Some of the dialogue is rather laughable, and the plot is littered with improbable coincidences and unlikelihoods. But overall, this is a fun and disposable swashbuckler that passes 90 minutes of time easily enough.

Bernard-Dunne Everyone has covered this but it is a good swashbuckler and it does look like the Hammer Films costume dramas from the same period, so rather than it just been that Cushing and Sangster were involved, it also resembles a Hammer Film in everything except name. Also of interest is that this is the film that Kolliatis was watching in bed before he dies in the 'The Man Who Got A New Face' episode of the series 'Department S' Which Robert S. Baker produced between 1969 and 1970. An interesting film for everyone who likes a period piece or a costume drama and unlike Kolliatis you will not die after watching this. Great! Search the TV Guide or get it on DVD it's a good timewaster.

Scarecrow-88 Rousing swashbuckling tale of an heir Jason(Keith Michell, in fine form as an Errol Flynn type hero), whose despicable father finally leaves this mortal coil for Hell after his death in a hunting accident, must contend with his equally devious, aristocratic scumbag cousin Thomas(Peter Arne)who lays claim to the estate and has the paper entitling Jason to the kingdom. Unfortunately, Jason will have to secure that paper from Thomas somehow by sneaking into his service as a servant. Jason, who was raised by Timothy(David Lodge), once a servant of his fathers'..and only one his late mother could trust..has been part of a traveling circus for some time and has keen acrobatic abilities, not to mention sword-fighting knowledge. This knowledge, and acrobatic skill, comes in handy when Jason's identity is found out, perhaps through Isobel(Adrienne Corri)who is to marry Thomas but falls in love with his cousin. Isobel is from poverty and so desperately wants a title of wealth that Thomas can provide..but despite her feelings towards Jason he stands in the way of her goals. Thomas' power with the English government(..but his underhanded secret dealings with the French offer possibilities of his possible downfall)puts Jason in prison when the evil aristocrat murders Timothy framing him. Jason had retrieved the paper stating his legitimacy to the kingdom and hid it in his lawyer's study. But lawyer Merryweather(Peter Cushing, amusing even if on screen for mere minutes)will not allow his knowledge of the paper known to the judge or jury at the trial for Jason's being tucked away in prison might just benefit England and bring down the corrupt Thomas and his Hellfire Club cohorts. But, Jason's circus-pals will not stand at bay as their friend lays in prison for the gallows and rescue him. Through a cunning kidnapping of the traveling French Marquis, Jason will go within the lair of Thomas' Hellfire club cavern to rescue his lady-love Yvonne(Kai Fischer), held prisoner so that a thorn can be removed from the evil cousin's side. Can Jason rescue Yvonne, thwart Thomas' plans, and, above all, remain alive?Lots of sword-dueling, acrobatic stunts, colorful sets & engaging performances rise this above merely the mundane. It has an appealing hero, loathsome villain worth rooting against, beautiful women, and an exciting prison escape. The circus troupe provide lots of joy as they cunningly trick the guards in the prison escape. Good production values and some suspense as poor Jason faces one trial after another so that he can get his revenge and claim his birthright. The Hellfire Club is an interesting backdrop to the action proclaiming what kind of sickening brutes Jason, and England, are up against.