Well photographed but ultimately disappointing tale of an elderly hermit who sells his soul to the devil and re-emerges as a a young man (Nelson) claiming to be the hermit's nephew. Despite his apparent good Samaritan turns, a spate of bizarre fatal accidents seem to overshadow causing the local sheriff to suspect a supernatural presence is prevailing.
There's some genuine unsettling atmosphere threatening to emerge, alas it's never given the opportunity to fully develop, the film apparently constrained by a limited budget. Nelson is suitably shady, his almost angelic presence hinting at a sinister undertone as he conjures a series of mishaps to lure local lass (Allison) into his realm. I also liked Spencer Carlisle as the concerned sheriff with a "hunch" and sweaty, rotund MD Edgar Buchanan on hand to serve as coroner for the burgeoning body count.
Despite one effective scene in which Nelson bribes a drunk (Foulger) to witness his occult ritual then turns into a demonic steed, the meagre 70 minutes duration leaves much to the imagination and, disappointingly, little to show for the effort. Capable cast but should have been better.
There's some genuine unsettling atmosphere threatening to emerge, alas it's never given the opportunity to fully develop, the film apparently constrained by a limited budget. Nelson is suitably shady, his almost angelic presence hinting at a sinister undertone as he conjures a series of mishaps to lure local lass (Allison) into his realm. I also liked Spencer Carlisle as the concerned sheriff with a "hunch" and sweaty, rotund MD Edgar Buchanan on hand to serve as coroner for the burgeoning body count.
Despite one effective scene in which Nelson bribes a drunk (Foulger) to witness his occult ritual then turns into a demonic steed, the meagre 70 minutes duration leaves much to the imagination and, disappointingly, little to show for the effort. Capable cast but should have been better.