The Blood on Satan's Claw (1971)

THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW is one of the most finely crafted Fright Films to play outside an Art House; the cinematography is absolutely beautiful, the direction topnotch, and the music very creepy, indeed. My biggest complaint is that the FOCUS of the movie should've been on the Coven youths themselves and their REAL "spiritual leader" (who we don't even get to see fully until the final moments of the movie, when most of the males in the audience are being distracted by the voluptuous young woman offering up her VERY ample endowments). And the hero rebounds pretty quickly after chopping off his own hand (not to mention the sudden-onset madness of his fiancé, who's dragged away after growing a Monstrous CLAW)... Other than the sometimes meandering story, THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW has a lot to offer the discriminating viewer.

(55%) Hard to believe that not that far back in 1970's Britain one could quite legally watch, and even make/distribute movies with completely nude 16 year old girls in them, and yet porno (both hard and soft) featuring over 18's was pretty much illegal everywhere besides a few "private clubs", and even then the bobbies still could raid at any time they felt like. But I digress. This well made devil based period horror flick that in all honesty highlights how shoddy Hammer movies had become once the 70's came round. The direction and production is pretty damn good, it's just a shame the movie is a little dry and pointless. For fans of classic British horror this is a must watch, but it's hardly anything fantastic for a general audience.

Blood on Satan's Claw, while obviously suffering from a few narrative lapses and abrupt transitions (probably due to editing) is a fine little movie. Like it's Tigon-backed predecessor Witchfinder General, this succeeds in capturing the medieval period splendidly, and the diabolic goings on are cleverly contrasted with the pastoral setting.The film also manages to be original in a way few of its contemporaries manage. It handles its shock moments very well and remains a disturbing entry in the British horror field. I should mention that some viewers might find what amounts to a rape scene a little too distressing. The shocks and gore moments are mainly done by implication or quick cuts away, so it's the suggestion as much as what you see that makes it work.The plot at times is a little hazy for the first time viewer; but essentially the demon Behemoth (pronounced BEY-AH-MOTH) is churned up by a plough and spreads some sort of infection amongst the rural community, driving a girl mad on her wedding eve (never explained) and growing various parts of itself on the younger members of the community. These are gradually used to make a composite of the demon.As silly as this may sound committed performances from the actors - Linda Hayden and Michelle Dotrice especially - and some narrative obscurity actually makes it work. With an excellent music score and a brilliant realised medieval rural England Blood On Satan's Claw has retained its position as a Cult favourite. Memorable and atmospheric and well worth seeing.

"Blood on Satan's Claw" (aka. "Satan's Skin") of 1971 is a creepy and incredibly atmospheric gem of British Occult/Gothic Horror that should by no means be missed by a Horror fan. Second only to Michael Reeves' 1968 masterpiece "Witchfinder General" (starring the great Vincent Price), "Blood on Satan's Claw" ranges among the greatest films released by the magnificent production company Tigon, and among the moodiest British Horror films from the early 70s.Piers Haggard's film is magnificently set in a remote village 17th century England, where farmer Ralph Gower (Barry Andrews) stumbles over a mysterious skull with an eye while plowing his fields. When he wants to show his find to the local judge (Patrick Wymark), the skull has vanished. From that moment onward, however, the entire village seems affected by a mysterious demonic power: It starts with a young woman going mad and suddenly growing a claw; soon thereafter village teenagers show satanic tendencies in their behavior..."Blood on Satan's Claw" is incredibly gloomy from start to finish. The creepy atmosphere is supported by a fantastic eerie score, and the photography and rural British setting are beautiful and very moody. The performances are great. British character actor Patrick Wymark (who played Oliver Cromwell in "Witchfinder General") is once again fantastic in his role (once again a figure of authority). Other actors, such as Anton Ainley or James Hayter are also great. The actress who steals the show, however, is the ravishing young Linda Hayden (also known for her role in the Hammer Studio's "Taste the Blood of Dracula"), in the role of Angel Blake, the leader of the possessed teenagers. Looking beautiful, almost cherubic, the seductive Angel is utterly sinister and malevolent, and Hayden is great in the role. However, all the performances are good, the accents and dialog give the film a great feeling of authenticity.Overall "Blood on Satan's Claw" is a fantastic and highly atmospheric Horror film that is creepy and suspenseful from start to finish and furthermore includes a bunch of genuine shocks. An absolute must-see for my fellow fans of British Horror.