B P
Witches, Torture, And Christopher Lee
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
04/26/24
Full Review
delysid d
its not a horror film, its a boring historical drama, with canned music and wooden acting
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
12/18/17
Full Review
Audience Member
Be careful. You're going to your own destruction.
The Lord Chief Justice of England during the 17th century often sends women to their deaths, condemning them as witches to help with his political and sexual desires. There are several revolts to try and take him out of power, but it may take the witches banding together to ultimately take the ruthless politician down.
"No time for wenches or weddings, friend."
Jesus Franco, director of The Oasis of the Living Dead, Dracula Prisoner of Frankenstein, Snakewoman, Venus in Furs, Incubus, Broken Dolls, and Helter Skelter, delivers The Blood Judge. The storyline for this picture is bland, not overly scary, and seemed like an excuse to throw nudity into a horror movie. The cast also delivers just okay performances and includes Christopher Lee, Maria Schell, Leo Genn, and Maria Rohm.
"She has been well examined? Thoroughly?"
I came across this picture on Netflix and decided to give it a shot. Initially, I was excited to see this since it starred the horror genre legend Christopher Lee. Unfortunately, this isn't that good. Lee delivers some strong lines with the right tone and feel, but that isn't enough to save this disappointment.
"My eyes don't cry anymore."
Grade: D
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
01/19/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Given its limitations, its not too bad a film. Loosely based on the Hanging Judge Jeffries who goes around the west country of England burning alleged witches.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/10/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This movie positions itself somewhere in between a Hammer Horror and a European sexploitation video, the gore and blood used looks straight from the shelf of the Home Counties production house but this is clearly not filmed in the UK despite being set during the witch-hunt periods of English history. It's mix of genres means it never gets going and it's hard to fathom how you should be watching this as its full of meaning and its characters are all tormented by their actions and experiences, however the presence of Christopher Lee (who does well) and the thicker than porridge blood gives the impression this should be a straightforward horror.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/06/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Jess Franco was wanting to move away from making the Fu Manchu films that made his name in the late 1960's, and he envisioned this dark, brooding character piece with the star of the Fu Manchu films in mind. It essentially a rehash of Witchfinder General, with much the same as what Franco has done before, with Lee saving the film whenever he appears. During the reign of King James II in 1685, the titular judge is Judge George Jeffries (Christopher Lee), who was given absolute power and free reign by the King to go through the land and punish and execute punish traitors to the crown, including witches. The trails were extremely unfair with no evidence to the contrary being offered. However, things are complicated when Jeffries' champion Lord Wessex (Leo Genn), learns that his son Harry (Hans Hass Jr.) is intending to marry Mary Gray (Maria Rohm), whose sister Alicia (Margaret Lee) was executed by Jeffries on suspicion of witchcraft. Plus, there's a revolution on the uprising when James II flees the throne, and William of Orange from Holland ascends to the throne, and he has Jeffries in his sights. It's not really a horror film, it's a very gory and perverse historical drama done with a grindhouse sensibility. Lee gives a very spirited performance as the evil Judge Jeffries, but he vanishes for half of the film, kinda bookending it, but it made a change from him doing Dracula.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/05/23
Full Review
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