One of the most fascinating characters in fiction has always been the Reverend/Dr. Christopher Syn aka. Captain Clegg aka. the Scarecrow; a character who is alternatively hero, villain, and pitiable victim. He's also one of the first character's to fit the archetype of masked hero, making him an interesting precursor to Pulp heroes like the Shadow and later Super Heroes like Batman. Several films have have been made featuring the character, all surprisingly good. Strangely, despite translating well; the character and his film adaptations remain obscure.
Too bad. This film not only remains the best of the three Dr. Syn adaptations, but one of Hammer's finest moments. Possibly a reason for the film's obscurity is that it was marketed as a horror film under the ridiculous name 'Night Creatures' with a rather Blah! premise: Skeleton Horsemen. A shame, the film is a complicated film which works as a mystery, romance, thriller, comedy and historical drama. It may not be a horror film, but don't let that spoil it for you, because it has all the atmosphere and elements that made Hammer the legend it is that could never be booted(although Amicus came damn close!)even if they don't involve real ghosts and goblins.
The film begins firing on all cylinders to an unforgettable opening sequence where a pirate(Big Milton Reid)known as the Mullatto is decreed guilty of raping the wife of ruthless pirate captain Nathaniel Clegg. His tongue is cut out and he is marooned; grunting like an otter.
DAMN!!! Now that's how you begin a thriller! Flash forward to 1792 where a man is mysteriously murdered by a gang of smugglers wearing luminescent skeleton costumes in Romney Marsh, England; it's genuinely scary, with a real Halloween mood. I know I said this wasn't a horror film, but I also said it wouldn't disappoint(Hammer)horror fans either!
The basic plot involves the conflict between the smugglers and King George's Revenue Men and Press Gangs. Reverend Blyss(Peter Cushing as the Dr. Syn character); leader of the smugglers is a stern, but kindly man, and he will stop at nothing to protect his town from the invaders led by Captain Collier(Patrick Allan). All of this leads to conflict inside and out, particularly for star crossed lover's Sir Harry(Oliver Reed)& Imogene(Yvonne Romaine)whose relationship is already pressured by the typical 'Rich boy, poor girl' scenario, Imogenes's lecherous, abusive step dad Mr. Rash is no help either, neither is Harry's duties as Blyss's sidekick, but at least Blyss is kind, almost fatherly to both of them. Things don't look so hot for Rev. Blyss when a certain tongueless member of Collier's crew(found on a desert island..,.hmm...) starts getting violent whenever he sees him...hmmm....and Blyss seems awfully protective of Imogene, who IS a shade darker than everyone else...
What makes the Smugglers vs. Navy plot work is that even though the smugglers are the heroes; the plot isn't in black and white. Collier is a ruthless, nasty man with torture methods almost as bad as Captain Clegg's, but he's also a man of honor, courage and seems to have respect for his adversaries. He IS just doing his job and never seems to gloat over his victories, he's also somewhat dense and ends up the butt of hat jokes by Blyss. But his men are no better than the pirates we see at the beginning, and the abuse they heap on the Mullatto is hard to watch. Sure, he's a rapist and killer, but they don't know that or care and simply tease him for their own amusement. The smugglers, like I said, are the heroes, but they are not glamorous figures. They are simply impoverished, mostly good-natured folk doing whatever they can to make ends meet. But they aren't entirely pitiable either, their methods of smuggling and disguise smack entirely of the KKK. They also systematically murder anyone they see as a traitor, and some, like Rash, are pure evil. Yet, you can't help but want to see the main characters in Blyss's group come out on top. Even the vile Mullatto has a few moments of pathos.
...And the plot thickens when Rash discovers a secret of Imogene's, and the Mullatto get's loose, too....
The greatest strength of the film is that we come to care about the characters, even the villains. And the acting helps the viewer immensely. Peter Cushing is fantastic as Blyss/Clegg. Humorous, sweet, fatherly, but also stern and mysterious. Cushing is so good that he can even portray lying so well that if we didn't know he was lying, we might believe it. Reed is fantastic as Harry; even though you know Ollie would be downing that smuggled wine in real life within minutes. Yvonne Romaine makes for an effective ingénue, but can also defend herself, her search for identity is very convincingly played. Patrick Allen makes Collier a likable character when he could've been a cardboard villain. Milton Reid is terrifying as the Mullatto, but also funny and sad. Michael Ripper also shines as Mipps, the comedy relief church sexton. The cinematography is Oscar-worthy, and the mood is both creepy and adventuresome.
Hunt this one down, you won't regret it. Even if you have to buy it from Marsh smugglers.~
Too bad. This film not only remains the best of the three Dr. Syn adaptations, but one of Hammer's finest moments. Possibly a reason for the film's obscurity is that it was marketed as a horror film under the ridiculous name 'Night Creatures' with a rather Blah! premise: Skeleton Horsemen. A shame, the film is a complicated film which works as a mystery, romance, thriller, comedy and historical drama. It may not be a horror film, but don't let that spoil it for you, because it has all the atmosphere and elements that made Hammer the legend it is that could never be booted(although Amicus came damn close!)even if they don't involve real ghosts and goblins.
The film begins firing on all cylinders to an unforgettable opening sequence where a pirate(Big Milton Reid)known as the Mullatto is decreed guilty of raping the wife of ruthless pirate captain Nathaniel Clegg. His tongue is cut out and he is marooned; grunting like an otter.
DAMN!!! Now that's how you begin a thriller! Flash forward to 1792 where a man is mysteriously murdered by a gang of smugglers wearing luminescent skeleton costumes in Romney Marsh, England; it's genuinely scary, with a real Halloween mood. I know I said this wasn't a horror film, but I also said it wouldn't disappoint(Hammer)horror fans either!
The basic plot involves the conflict between the smugglers and King George's Revenue Men and Press Gangs. Reverend Blyss(Peter Cushing as the Dr. Syn character); leader of the smugglers is a stern, but kindly man, and he will stop at nothing to protect his town from the invaders led by Captain Collier(Patrick Allan). All of this leads to conflict inside and out, particularly for star crossed lover's Sir Harry(Oliver Reed)& Imogene(Yvonne Romaine)whose relationship is already pressured by the typical 'Rich boy, poor girl' scenario, Imogenes's lecherous, abusive step dad Mr. Rash is no help either, neither is Harry's duties as Blyss's sidekick, but at least Blyss is kind, almost fatherly to both of them. Things don't look so hot for Rev. Blyss when a certain tongueless member of Collier's crew(found on a desert island..,.hmm...) starts getting violent whenever he sees him...hmmm....and Blyss seems awfully protective of Imogene, who IS a shade darker than everyone else...
What makes the Smugglers vs. Navy plot work is that even though the smugglers are the heroes; the plot isn't in black and white. Collier is a ruthless, nasty man with torture methods almost as bad as Captain Clegg's, but he's also a man of honor, courage and seems to have respect for his adversaries. He IS just doing his job and never seems to gloat over his victories, he's also somewhat dense and ends up the butt of hat jokes by Blyss. But his men are no better than the pirates we see at the beginning, and the abuse they heap on the Mullatto is hard to watch. Sure, he's a rapist and killer, but they don't know that or care and simply tease him for their own amusement. The smugglers, like I said, are the heroes, but they are not glamorous figures. They are simply impoverished, mostly good-natured folk doing whatever they can to make ends meet. But they aren't entirely pitiable either, their methods of smuggling and disguise smack entirely of the KKK. They also systematically murder anyone they see as a traitor, and some, like Rash, are pure evil. Yet, you can't help but want to see the main characters in Blyss's group come out on top. Even the vile Mullatto has a few moments of pathos.
...And the plot thickens when Rash discovers a secret of Imogene's, and the Mullatto get's loose, too....
The greatest strength of the film is that we come to care about the characters, even the villains. And the acting helps the viewer immensely. Peter Cushing is fantastic as Blyss/Clegg. Humorous, sweet, fatherly, but also stern and mysterious. Cushing is so good that he can even portray lying so well that if we didn't know he was lying, we might believe it. Reed is fantastic as Harry; even though you know Ollie would be downing that smuggled wine in real life within minutes. Yvonne Romaine makes for an effective ingénue, but can also defend herself, her search for identity is very convincingly played. Patrick Allen makes Collier a likable character when he could've been a cardboard villain. Milton Reid is terrifying as the Mullatto, but also funny and sad. Michael Ripper also shines as Mipps, the comedy relief church sexton. The cinematography is Oscar-worthy, and the mood is both creepy and adventuresome.
Hunt this one down, you won't regret it. Even if you have to buy it from Marsh smugglers.~