A beautifully atmospheric piece of historical horror, the peak of the all-too-short career of director Michael Reeves, whose intention was to make a completely realistic film of the period – well, he’s convinced us. Brooding charlatan Vincent Price, together with nasty sidekick Robert ‘Cygnus Alpha’ Russell, make their way through Civil War-era Essex, burning and deflowering gullible townsfolk as they go, until roundhead Ian ‘Saint’ Ogilvy catches up with him. Watch out for Nicky ‘Psychomania’ Henson and Wilfrid Brambell. It’s masterfully crafted stuff throughout, and a joint career-best performance, we’re saying, from the ever-baroque Price.
