In 1692 Whitewood, Massachusetts, Elizabeth Selwyn (Patricia Jessel) is burned at the stakes for witchcraft causing the death of Abrigail Adams. She and Jethrow Keane make a pact with Lucifer to curse the town. In the present day, college student Nan Barlow is eager to study the witch trials during that period. Her boyfriend Bill Maitland and her scientific professor brother Dick Barlow are both dismissive. Her professor Alan Driscoll (Christopher Lee) sends her to Whitewood to stay in an inn run by Mrs. Newless (Patricia Jessel). She is met by Jethrow Keane on the road to Whitewood. The only normal in town seems to be the reverend's daughter Patricia Russell.
This black and white British horror is also named The City of the Dead. Venetia Stevenson's big contribution are her looks and a gratuitous lingerie scene where nothing happens except her changing her clothes. Even with her limitations, I'm surprised that as the lead, she is killed off in the middle. It's not early enough to be a shock and recover situation like Scream. It's trying to be Psycho without the iconic shower scene. It doesn't help that none who followed have much charisma either. Christopher Lee don't have nearly enough time on screen. I do like the town and its creepy inhabitants. The fog is too fake. Thankfully, it's also really short. Overall, this is a minor B-horror with problems.
This black and white British horror is also named The City of the Dead. Venetia Stevenson's big contribution are her looks and a gratuitous lingerie scene where nothing happens except her changing her clothes. Even with her limitations, I'm surprised that as the lead, she is killed off in the middle. It's not early enough to be a shock and recover situation like Scream. It's trying to be Psycho without the iconic shower scene. It doesn't help that none who followed have much charisma either. Christopher Lee don't have nearly enough time on screen. I do like the town and its creepy inhabitants. The fog is too fake. Thankfully, it's also really short. Overall, this is a minor B-horror with problems.