Tigon Productions, 1971

starring: Barry Andrews, Patrick Wymark, Linda Hayden

directed by: Piers Haggard

the plot: In rural 17th century England, Farmer Gower (Andrews) unearths a malformed skull, part human, part beast, while tilling a field. The Judge (Wymark) investigates, but the evidence vanishes, and the local people are told to disregard their fear of the supernatural. Unfortunately, villagers come under the influence of a malign presence, including Angel Blake (Hayden), a mild young girl who assumes a frightening and seductive malevolence. She takes command of the local children for their demonic fun after they discover a strange claw and grow patches of fur on their bodies. The skeptical Judge returns to try to banish the infectious evil.

why it’s good: Scripted by oddball 22-year-old Robert Wynne-Simmons, the screenplay was handed to young hired-hand director Piers Haggard, who did a commendable job at achieving atmosphere, eroticism and suspense. Some of the bucolic banter is only good for laughs (“Mercy, our Angel Blake—’tis seemin’ not natural-like!”), but largely the movie maintains a grim and gloomy level of engagement. Released at the height of the British horror boom, this film was part of a sub-genre known as “folk horror,” along, notably, with “Witchfinder General” (1968) and “The Wicker Man” (1973). Producer Tony Tenser also helmed Michael’s Powell’s seminal “Peeping Tom” (1960) and Roman Polanski’s first two excellent British efforts.

why you should own it: Linda Hayden is hands down the top reason to take this film home. Ms. Hayden began her career as a second-rate English Lolita in the execrable “Baby Love” (1968), but acquitted herself and proved a fine actress in some ghastly films, most notably as a wholesome and pretty presence in two Hammer productions. In “Satan’s Claw,” she grows eyebrows even Brooke Shields wouldn’t tolerate, commits seductions and orchestrates a disturbing rape by the village children. Her steady transformation from comely country lass to Satanic priestess is impressive. It’s hard to believe, but both VHS and DVD versions are still available. The DVD is of excellent sound and color quality and includes commentary from the filmmakers and a feature on Hayden.