Crucible of Terror

Made in 1971 by small independent studio Glendale Film Productions Ltd, the studio who would later also make 'The Asphyx' (UK / US),  'Crucible of Terror' is a low budget horror set on the Cornish coast.  It tells of art dealer John Davies (James Bolam) who, along with is wife Millie (Mary Maude) and their bickering friends Jane (Beth Morris) and Michael Raven (Ronald Lacey - The Baby-Eating Bishop of Bath and Wells), heads to Cornwall to try and talk Michael's father Victor, (Mike Raven), into parting with some of his artwork.

Roger Delgado lookalike Victor is a reclusive, womanising, artist who we know from the off has a penchant for covering young women in plaster and then pouring molten bronze into the eye hole.  He lives with his downtrodden wife Dorothy (Betty Alberge), his model / mistress Marcia (Judy Matheson - 'Lust for a Vampire' (UK / US) and 'Twins of Evil' (UK / US)) and his friend Bill Cartwright (John Arnatt) in a house previously owned by a "weird sect".  Victor immediately takes a fancy to both Jane and Millie and its all downhill from there for everyone involved.

Reputedly part funded by Radio Luxembourg DJ turned actor Raven, 'Crucible of Terror' is a cheap and cheerless schlocker with a tinge of the giallo about it.  Raven made 4 movies in his short career, the others being 'Lust for a Vampire' for Hammer, 'I, Monster' (UK) for Amicus and 'Disciple of Death' also co-starring Ronald Lacey, and he really is the most appalling ham but definitely nails the lecherous nature of his character if not particularly the malevolence.  Lacey is his usual creepy self whilst the majority of the rest phone their performances in with the exception of Maude who stands out as the unwilling object of Victor's lust.

Beyond the performances the script is confused, the ending is gibberish and it's riddled with enough casual 70s sexism to make a 'Carry On' writer flinch but I do love a bad movie and this is definitely a bad movie but well worth a watch.

Buy it here - UK / US - or watch it below.



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