Cover Art

Credits

Director: Piers Haggard Starring: Patrick Wymark, Linda Haydon, Barry Andrews Screenplay: Robert Wynne-Simmons, Piers Haggard Country: UK

When a rotting devils claw is discovered in a small village, the locals begin to grow strange patches of skin on their bodies; each piece of skin will become a patchwork part of the devil. A young girl angel becomes possessed and recruits a devil-worshipping cult of children intent in collecting the skin from their victims during sacrificial rituals.

Made in 1970 the film is surprisingly graphic in its depiction of its lurid storyline; not surprising when you realise that one of the films stars is the infamous British sexpot Linda Hayden. Hayden made her name in Baby Love but also starred in such classics as Hammer's Taste the blood of Dracula, Lets Get Laid, the video nasty Expose, Confessions of a Window Cleaner and the awful Queen Kong. She takes the role of Angel, the teenage seductress who is possessed by the devil with salacious relish and makes the films shocking sacrificial scenes and the final satanic orgy even more chillingly believable. Saying that these orgiastic moments also disconcertingly feature Michele Dotrice who fans of British comedy will know as Betty, the much put upon wife of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do 'Ave Em and Wendy Padbury who played Zoe in Dr. Who

The films hero is the town judge, played by Patrick Wymark. A dubious character at best and the veteran actor handles the duality of the role with aplomb. Readers will be familiar with his work in the similarly themed Witchfinder General along with the classic Where Eagles Dare and The Skull.

Directed by Piers Haggard who went on to make Quatermass in 1979, the dark dingy set ups create a sinister mood from the off. Everything is framed to create an oppressive atmosphere that sets the viewer on edge the moment the young villager finds the devils appendage. The village itself becomes a character, without the rural English countryside it would have been a lesser film.

This is where the disc shines. We kick off with Touching the Devil: The Making of Blood on Satan's Claw, a fascinating 20 minute documentary that features interviews with many of the cast and crew. Linda Hayden is given special treatment in An Angel for Satan, which features a delightful interview with the actress about her controversial career taking in her entire career. Director Haggard is joined by writer Robert Wynne - Simmons and Hayden in an informative commentary that reveals many amusing anecdotes about the making of the film, its well worth a listen. As always we finish things off with a selection of trailers from Umbrella's Bloody Best of British collection and recent horror releases.