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+
