Blood On Satan's Claw

BLOOD ON SATANS CLAW (USA- title- SATANS SKIN) was released back in 1971 to mixed reviews, but soon established itself as something of a cult film, and has been the influence for many other movies within the Horror genre such as Tim Burtons SLEEPY HOLLOW and to a degree THE WICKER MAN. Photographed in a very similar fashion to WITCHFINDER GENERAL the camera soaking up the surrounding countryside and landscapes of rural 17th century west country England with its summer gold’s, browns and greens and at times giving an almost hand held effect which brings realism and a degree of earthiness to the tale. BLOOD ON SATANS CLAW for me anyway was and still is one of the best and also one of the most influential Horror movies to be produced during the early 1970,s and outshone many of Hammers gothic horrors that had been so popular with audiences. Released by British Tigon who were also responsible for WITCHFINDER GENERAL and directed by Piers Haggard who also contributed to the script and story, it is a horror movie that will appeal to all, although not that over the top in the gore department, I think the appeal of the film is it’s thought provoking storyline and of course a very young and extremely attractive Linda Hayden, who is pure evil in the role of Angel who enlists the aid of the children of the village in the pursuit of Satanism and entices them and others to engage in the worship of the shrouded figure of the fiend. BLOOD ON SATANS CLAW is often referred to as a sequel to WITCHFINDER, because of similarities between the two movies in the way in which both were photographed and directed, but it is in fact more akin to another Vincent Price horror movie entitled THE CRY OF THE BANSHEE. BLOOD ON SATANS CLAW was in a number of ways more stylish and polished than CRY OF THE BANSHEE and the acting more convincing but there are certainly many similarities between the two films. The storyline to BLOOD ON SATANS CLAW is very believable and radiates evil, the end sequence is too impressive with actor Patrick Wymark brandishing a two handed blade leaping through the flames of a fire to dispatch Satan, who has been summoned up by Angel (Hayden) and her merry band of Satanists. The effect being made more terrifying by a stop action sequence and also a slow motion sequence at this point giving it greater impact.
The musical score by Marc Wilkinson is too a remarkable piece of work, the composer providing the movie with a tense and uneasy sounding musical background where necessary, its almost sinewy and icy sounding tones enhancing and underlining the dark, virulent and Satanic images upon the screen. But at the same time Wilkinson’s haunting score has a softer almost romantic and alluring sound to it, which I can only describe as very English, an example of this is demonstrated in track 21 RALPH CHOPS TREE. The re-occurring central theme or musical passage does really haunt the listener, the composers clever and delicate use of cimbalom and Ondes Martenot combined with strings, brass, vibes and woodwind is simple but at the same time stunningly effectual. This is demonstrated more prominently in track number 19 KATHYS’S RAPE AND DEATH. I personally feel that Wilkinson’s music was indeed ahead of its time and although not a grand symphonic work it has a long lasting effect upon the listener with a number of the cues being entertaining and interesting away from the images. It is surprising that it took so long for this soundtrack to be released as it is certainly a landmark score from the world of British horror movies and also an important work from British cinema. Hopefully more scores from Horror films produced during the 1960,s and 1970,s will get a release soon, the original Paul Ferris soundtrack for WITCHFINDER GENERAL was we were told due for issue early in 2008 on De Wolfe music, but as yet has still not materialized. Let us not forget also the music from the British release of CRY OF THE BANSHEE by Wilfred Josephs, which in many connoisseurs opinions outshone the re-score by Les Baxter when the movie was released Stateside. CURSE OF THE CRIMSON ALTAR by Peter Knight and of course THE CREEPING FLESH and THE BLOOD BEAST TERROR by Paul Ferris are too are strong contenders for a release, plus there are numerous more Hammer horrors that should finally be unleashed for collectors to at last savour.. The CD for BLOOD ON SATANS CLAW, is packaged well, with informative notes by the composer and also the producer of the release Johnny Trunk. This is a must have release, an essential purchase They do say that the Devil always has the best tunes, well on listening to this score I think they are not wrong. Highly Recommended.