Cry of the Banshee

“Hell hath no fury like a sorceress scorned!”

5.3

1970

1h 31m

Horror

Director: Gordon Hessler

Overview

In seventeenth century England Lord Whitman wages unending war on what he sees as the ever-present scourge of witchcraft, and many local villagers have suffered at his hands. But one victim uses her occult powers to curse his family, enlisting unknowing help from one of the household.

Trailer

4K Restoration | Official Trailer Official

Cast

Lord Edward Whitman

Vincent Price

Lord Edward Whitman

Lady Patricia Whitman

Essy Persson

Lady Patricia Whitman

Maureen Whitman

Hilary Dwyer

Maureen Whitman

Harry Whitman

Carl Rigg

Harry Whitman

Sean Whitman

Stephan Chase

Sean Whitman

Father Tom

Marshall Jones

Father Tom

Bully Boy

Andrew McCulloch

Bully Boy

Burke

Michael Elphick

Burke

Maid

Pamela Moiseiwitsch

Maid

Party Guest

Joyce Mandre

Party Guest

Robert Hutton

Party Guest

Guy Deghy

Party Guest

Reviews

talisencrw

Though it has its faults, this is a fine and enjoyable film from Vincent Price's Boxed Set III. It has a great and suitable ending as well. You'll especially be fond of this if you appreciated Price's diabolical character, slightly earlier, in 'The Conquering Worm'--it's a very similar shade from Price's acting palette.

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Wuchak

***Madness in post-Medieval England with Vincent Price and Hilary Dwyer/Heath*** In Britain during the 1500s a cruel magistrate (Vincent Price) tortures & kills those he deems guilty of witchcraft with the help of his corrupt sons and they take pompous delight in it. This earns the ire of Oona, a witch leader, who conjures a sídhe that masquerades as a man to slay the official’s wicked family one-by-one. “Cry of the Banshee” (1970) is an American International production (similar to Hammer horror) with the vibe of “Conqueror Worm,” aka “Witchfinder General” (1968), and “The Curse of the Werewolf” (1961), but lacking the finesse of both. It also shares a couple of the stars of the former film, Price and the demure, but mind-blowingly alluring Hilary Dwyer (Heath). Since the banshee or bean sídhe (from the Old Irish ban síde) means "woman of the sídhe" has come to denote ANY mystical FEMALE of Irish Isle who proclaims an imminent death by wailing and keening, I’m assuming that the witch Oona is the titular banshee. After all, the person that ends up doing the actual killing is a possessed DUDE or a demon masquerading as a DUDE. While it’s hindered by a peculiar vibe and puzzling script (that makes more sense as the story proceeds), “Cry of the Banshee” is a must for fans of Price and Hilary Dwyer/Heath (as well as Patrick Mower), not to mention those who appreciate dark Medieval flicks that tackle witchcraft & witch-hunting with the required staples, like dirty Middle Age villages, torture chambers, eerie forests, satanic rituals, haughty lords, suffering serfs, etc. The serious, creepy tone involving twisted characters is a plus. The film runs 1 hour and 31 minutes and was shot in Middlesex, England. GRADE: B-/C+

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