A gruesome discovery in a 17th-century English village leads to the spread of devil worship among the local children who cause monstrous havoc for their local village community in this super-stylish supernatural shocker with a strong period flavour.
More sensational, violent and crude than its obvious model Witchfinder General(1968), Piers Haggard’s tense direction keeps the cauldron of fiendish orgies, demonic tortures and Linda Hayden’s sultry turn as Angel Blake, the devil’s advocate, bubbling at an even terror temperature until the satanic slow-motion climax.
By far the most unnerving aspect of the film is Angel leading local children in “games” that involve brutalizing victims for amusement – or perhaps for the pleasure of a master from another realm.
Also released as Satan’s Skin.
Judge
Patrick Wymark Angel Blake
Linda Hayden Ralph
Barry Andrews Margaret
Michele Dotrice Cathy
Wendy Padbury Reverend Fallowfield
Anthony Ainley Ellen
Charlotte Mitchell Rosalind
Tamara Ustinov Peter
Simon Williams Doctor
Howard Goorney Isobel
Avice Landone Mark
Robin Davies Squire Middleton
James Hayter
