So many bad British horror films were made in the late 60s and early 70s it’s a shame this one didn’t get more attention… although of course the fact it was cut about by Michael Deeley and “thrown away” by British Lion has added immeasurably to it’s cult appeal. Die hard fans must love to create fan fiction about this because Anthony Schaeffer has created an entire world with the pagan island. To be honest, I didn’t 100% buy it – not the fact they were pagan, I totally got that, but the locals all seem to be cut from the same smiling, believing cloth. Even in the most religious communities you could have some variation in opinion amongst people – or at least difference in characterization. (We do get a flash with the vicious burly guy who takes Woodward to his fate at the end.)
It doesn’t have the strongest story, either. It’s got a fantastic step up and brilliant finale, but in between it’s mostly just Edward Woodward asking questions, which could have been cut up in any old order (and was, apparently), or turned into a 60 minute anthology.
There are injections of energy – Britt Ekland’s nude dance and song (with a body double doing the hip swivelling part), Ingrid Pitt’s random nude bath (why not give her more of a character?), and most of all Christopher Lee’s talk. He’s a great character – I love how he doesn’t believe in the religion he supports. Memorable music and visuals – maypoles etc – and that ending is socko, as Variety puts it.
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