“The Blood on Satan’s Claw” (1971) comes up on a lot of lists of suggestions for films in the daylight/folk horror spirit of “The VVitch,” “Midsommar” and “The Wicker Man,” and with a title like that, who can resist? This slow-burner captures the drab British countryside of the 18th century — or 1971, or 2026, let’s be honest; although it effectively captures the horse-and-buggy period.
Director/co-writer Piers Haggard leaves us in suspense for some suspense to overcome the cheapness, although the professionalism is apparent, and we get a sense of life at that time. Rather than the unrelenting misery of “The VVitch” or the wackadoo weirdness of the modern-times cult films “Wicker Man” and “Midsommar,” “Satan’s Claw” shows that people generally meld with their surroundings and situations.
Witchy girls … and boys … and even old people
Yes, there’s general suspicion that witchcraft has broken out in the area – with an emphasis on young women, but young men and even older people are involved too. This isn’t gender or class or generational warfare, but simply potential Satanists versus devout God-fearing folk. It’s a matter for concern, not panic.
“The Blood on Satan’s Claw” (1971)
Director: Piers Haggard
Writers: Robert Wynne-Simmons, Piers Haggard
Stars: Patrick Wymark, Linda Hayden, Barry Andrews
“Satan’s Claw” does not drench us in a dark mood, nor does it get as weird as it needs to, although it uses the taboo of female nudity in three key scenes, including a harrowing rape of an underage girl, Cathy (Wendy Padbury). Haggard artfully shows it via suggestion; the fact that cult members of all ages are calmly watching adds to the chill.
The film is in desperate need of practical effects artistry. Even though it hides this flaw as long as it can, the cult leader – who we expect to be a scary beast, maybe the literal Satan – looks like a retarded Muppet. The human characters help a little, notably the human second-in-command Angel Blake (Linda Hayden). We zoom in on her blue eyes, invited to find evil in them. Stare long enough and we can almost see it.
Haggard and co-writer Robert Wynne-Simmons capture the time period via people pronouncing “afraid” as “afeared,” but there’s only slight future-gaze mocking of these farmers’ simplicity. Angel wrongfully accuses the reverend (Anthony Ainley) of trying to rape her; an official arrests him, questions him and says his silence indicates his guilt.
However, they quickly move on from that, recognizing the true threat of the witches. I didn’t totally recognize myself what the witches’ goals are, other than increasing their ranks. Sometimes inexplicableness plays in a horror film’s favor, but in this case it doesn’t.
Ineffectively clawing at scares
Satan’s acolytes (willing or unwilling) grow a patch of furry Satanic skin somewhere on their body. For some bizarre reason, removing it (even it means cutting off a hand or foot) is desired by the demon and its cult. But keeping the patch of skin is fine too, and it doesn’t seem to matter one way or another.
Patrick Wymark’s lead investigator, called The Judge in the credits, isn’t particularly likeable. When his boarder’s fiancée turns out to be afflicted with witch traits, The Judge tells him to forget about her as she’s hauled off. But The Judge’s investigations are smart and legitimate; it’s obvious that the coven is doing evil things such as encouraging people to hack off their limbs – not to mention rape and murder.
It’s unfortunate that the coven’s schemes remain nonsensical; this is a missed opportunity for further creepiness of the kind found in the aforementioned modern cult explorations.
“Satan’s Claw” would be shocking if someone expects an innocent fairy tale like “Hansel and Gretel”; some of the music cues suggest this, although at other times, we’re cued to brace for evil. Then put nudity and rape and extreme violence and cult behavior and literally Satan against that backdrop, and you have something.
Already knowing that it’s a horror film, though, it’s mild. If you’re on a folk-horror research kick, check it out; if you want to be scared, look elsewhere. You’ll sleep surprisingly soundly – maybe even during the film itself — considering the movie is called “Blood on Satan’s Claw.”