The folk of the town of Schtettel storm the local castle to destroy the vampire Count Mitterhaus, but as he expires he curses the town, foretelling that it and its children will die to give him back his life. Shortly afterwards, a plague-like illness descends on Schtettel claiming many lives and giving rise to thoughts that the curse is beginning to come true. Then, into this grim situation comes the Circus of Nights, a travelling troupe of performers and animals. At first the townspeople welcome them, pleased to have a diversion from their woes, but it soon becomes clear that this is no ordinary circus, but one with strange and terrifying powers, summoned to the town to help fulfil the dead Count’s prophecy.
Production Details
A Hammer production presented by The Rank Organisation and released through Rank Film Distributors limited Copyright MCMLXXI Hammer Film Productions Limited – All rights reserved
MPAA Approved Certificate
The characters and incidents portrayed and the names used herein are fictitious and any similarity to the name, character, or history of any person is entirely accidental and unintentional
Westrex Recording System
Made at Pinewood Studios, London, England
Colour by Rank Film Processing 87 mins
Filming Began: 9th August 1971
UK Release: 30th April 1972
Studio:
Elstree Studios of Associated British Picture Corporation, Hertfordshire
Location:
Black Park, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire – Forest scenes
Stills from film
Click an image for enlarged slideshow
Original Poster
Click to enlarge
Footnotes
Actress Lynne Frederick later married comedy actor Peter Sellers. She died from the effects of alcoholism at 42.
Lalla Ward married actor Tom Baker after first appearing with him as a fellow Time Lord in BBC TV’s “Doctor Who”.
Producer Wilbur Stark was the father of actress/model Koo Stark, she created headlines by having an affair with Prince Andrew.
Laurence Payne’s part was originally meant to be played by Anton Rogers, but he had to pull out at the last moment owing to illness.
This film has the longest prologue of any Hammer film, which, at twelve minutes, is almost as long as one of the Company’s earlier featurettes!