The Hellfire Club – 1960 | 90mins | Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

The notorious gentlemen’s club of the title was famed for its depravity, debauchery, and devil worship – such satanic mischief is sadly absent from this romantic melodrama loosely based on the Hellfire Club. Despite not being a Hammer production, there are visual similarities and the script was co-written by Jimmy Sangster, and co-stars Hammer regulars Peter Cushing and Miles Malleson.

Set in 18th century England, circus acrobat Jason (Keith Michell), tries to reclaim the estate of his estranged father Lord Netherton (Andrew Faulds), the former leader of the notorious Hellfire Club, years after he and his mother (Jean Lodge) fled to escape the man’s monstrous behaviour. But on returning to England years later to claim his inheritance, Jason discovers that his villainous cousin, Thomas (Peter Arne), has stolen both his name and estate. Posing incognito as a groom to his evil cousin, whose supervision of the Hellfire Club has lifted its membership into being the de facto force behind King George II’s rule, Jason tries to defeat the club and rescue his childhood sweetheart (Kai Fischer), who has been kidnapped by Thomas. Ultimately, Jason joins forces with Merryweather (Peter Cushing) to bring an end to his deceitful cousin’s political scheming with the French.