Review: The Blood on Satan's Claw (1971)

Set in an 18th Century English village, local judge Patrick Wymark is shown some disturbing remains with what was meant to be strange tufts of fur. However, when the judge arrives to examine things, the remains have vanished and the judge thinks nothing further of it. However, he’s going to have to face up to the fact that something disturbing is indeed going on in the village, as young Linda Hayden (17 at the time of filming) has taken to trying to seduce the local Reverend (a very serious Anthony Ainley), and leading the village’s youngsters in Satanic activity. Tamara Ustinov and Wendy Padbury play frightened local girls, Michele Dotrice plays one of the young Satanists, Milton Reid appears briefly as a dog handler, and James Hayter adds colour in the role of a pompous Squire.

Tigon (or Tigon British) were never quite able to compete with Hammer Films or Amicus Films in the independent horror market. However, they did give us two of the best witch-hunter films in “Witchfinder General” and this 1971 effort from director Piers Haggard (a British TV veteran) and co-writer Robert Wynne-Simmons. Atmospheric, creepy, and with an outstanding music score by Marc Wilkinson (“If…”, “Eagle’s Wing”) this one could pass for Hammer. Mixing “Witchfinder General”, “The Wicker Man”, and “Village of the Damned” it’s a lot scarier and more unnerving than any Hammer film though. Unlike “Witchfinder General” where the witch-hunter was the brutal villain, there really is something wrong with these youngsters.

I liked that Satanism is depicted here like a disease spreading amongst the young folk, something of a difference to the norm in this sort of film. As much as there are campy elements, the fact that so many of the Black Mass cultists are basically children gives this one a really disturbing edge especially for its time. Most of these young actors were most likely in their 20s at the time but most of them barely look it and are engaging in some pretty horrifying simulated stuff. You certainly won’t watch “Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em” and think of Michele Dotrice the same way after seeing her in this. She’s creepy as hell here, in fact the entire cast is really good. The scene-stealer is veteran character actor Patrick Wymark in his final film role. He’s instantly terrific as the judge, an excellent protagonist. We also get excellent turns by James Hayter, Anthony Ainley, and especially a disturbing Wendy Padbury and Linda Hayden. Padbury was 24 at the time but looks much younger and is believably terrified. Hayden, adorned with some very serious eyebrow makeup gets the most difficult role in the film, as the leader of the young Satanists. She could’ve delivered corny camp, but she reins it in just enough to be very effective.

An effective, creepy, and disturbing Satanic horror film deserves to be held in the same company as “Mark of the Devil” and “The Bloody Judge”, if just a tad below “Witchfinder General”. The film doesn’t quite stick the landing, it’s a tad rushed. So that kinda robs the film of being really good instead of just good. Still, if you’re a fan of this kind of thing, the film is essential viewing.

Rating: B-