Feisty feline sets out to avenge the murder of her kindly (and wealthy) master.
Fine period horror piece, aided by an excellent cast and direction. One could wonder why a mere cat could be such a menace, but viewed as a manifestation of guilt, ala Poe, it becomes much more satisfying (even moreso if you're a cat lover). Only detriment is the bombastic score, which tends to undercut the tension a bit. Cute coda.
Note: This film is often described as a Hammer Film, but it isn't one. In the early 1960s, the ACTT (Association of Cinematograph Television and Allied Technicians) agreed to sponsor some of their own films in light of a slump in British productions. BHP Films was one of the companies formed to take advantage of this. In a goodwill gesture, Hammer agreed to supply studio sets and personnel for a nominal fee. So while it was filmed on the familar Bray sets and with much of the usual Hammer production crew, not to mention the flavor of a Hammer film, it technically isn't one.
Another Note: Some of the minor cast are only seen through "cat vision," which was compressed and flattened in scope. I've corrected this, so you can actually see what the actors looked like.
Thanks to Gerald Lovell and Philly for helping correct some mistakes I made in identification!
-Dave W. |