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Cry of the Banshee

"Hell hath no fury like a sorceress scorned!"

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.

Top Cast

  • Vincent Price

    Vincent Price

    Lord Edward Whitman

  • Essy Persson

    Essy Persson

    Lady Patricia Whitman

  • Hilary Dwyer

    Hilary Dwyer

    Maureen Whitman

  • Carl Rigg

    Carl Rigg

    Harry Whitman

  • Stephan Chase

    Stephan Chase

    Sean Whitman

  • Marshall Jones

    Marshall Jones

    Father Tom

  • Andrew McCulloch

    Andrew McCulloch

    Bully Boy

  • Michael Elphick

    Michael Elphick

    Burke

  • Pamela Moiseiwitsch

    Pamela Moiseiwitsch

    Maid

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.

Rating

5.4 / 10
71 Reviews
1 Popular

2 Reviews

  • talisencrw
    talisencrw
    7 Jun 25, 2016

    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.

  • Wuchak
    Wuchak
    6 Mar 2, 2020

    ***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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