• It’s a superb screenplay- Sergeant Howie as the no-BS cop and audience surrogate through this mesmerizing pagan village and murder mystery
  • One of Christopher Lee’s best roles/films and that’s saying something with this robust and varied resume
  • Strong build-up and chilling climax
  • Well-constructed- starts with Howie at the church- communion
  • Really bad music—and lots of it doesn’t help
  • Imagery- the orgy on the lawn
  • Much of the screenplay doesn’t really take sides- Lee’s character is intelligent and thought out (largely)
  • The late decision to go to inner-monologue and letter reading from Hardy is a mistake and bad form—the addition of the funky rock score for the first time when there’s a chase doesn’t work either
  • Love that he plays the fool—and does indeed
  • An accomplished feat of writing, haunting ending and a mindf*ck but not great filmmaking
  • Recommend/HR border at best
the horrifying finale