Cry of the Banshee – 1970 | 91 mins | Horror | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Prefaced by lines from Edgar Allan Poe’s poem The Bells, screenwriter Chris Wicking’s third collaboration with director Gordon Hessler is a pale imitation of Witchfinder General and the clash between paganism and Christianity. Despite authentic location work and rather opportunistic flashes of graphic gore, this has none of the narrative concision, thematic richness or overall conviction of Michael Reeves’ classic film. Price has few moments to shine and fails to create a palpable sense of haunting evil. The surreal animated credits were created by Python Terry Gilliam.

Setin 16th century England, Lord Edward Whitman (Vincent Price), a cruel magistrate dedicated to the extermination of witches, masterminds the destruction of a coven presided over by an ageing high priestess called Oona (Elisabeth Bergner). He spares Oona herself, but rapidly regrets having done so when she calls down a curse on his entire family in the form of an avenging werewolf-in-disguise, Roderick (Patrick Mower). When Lord Edward throws a festive gathering for his friends, they are treated to a display of possession as the Lord’s consort, Lady Patricia (Essy Persson), catches sight of a dog’s head mounted on a pike and immediately runs mad, reiterating Oona’s threat during an animal-like dance. Meanwhile, Harry Whitman and the local priest go in search of Oona, as one by one the Whitman’s die.