‘One day a monstrous evil was unleashed from the most sacred place on earth…’
House of Mortal Sin is a 1976 British horror film about a deranged priest who murders his parishioners for their moral transgressions: “I was put on this earth to combat sin and I shall use every available means to do so.”
Directed by Pete Walker (House of the Long Shadows; House of Whipcord, Schizo; Frightmare) from a screenplay by David McGillivray (House of Whipcord, Schizo; Satan’s Slave) based on a story by Walker. Also known as The Confessional and The Confessional Murders.
The film stars Anthony Sharp (Invasion; Die Screaming Marianne), Susan Penhaligon (The Uncanny; Patrick; Dracula BBC, 1977), Stephanie Beacham (The Nightcomers, Dracula A.D. 1972, Inseminoid), Norman Eshley and Sheila Keith. As with Walker’s Frightmare, Andrew Sachs (better known as Manuel in Fawlty Towers) has a minor role.
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‘House of Walker’ showing:
On November 8th 2014, House of Mortal Sin was shown at a ‘House of Walker’ retrospective organised by Cigarette Burns held at the Barbican Cinema, London.
Interviewed by critic-author Kim Newman before the screening, David McGillivray revealed that he had to study Catholicism to be inspired for the killing methods (a flaming incense burner, a poisoned holy wafer and strangulation by rosary beads) and that his preferred title was Mass Murder. Still embarrassed (although he needn’t be) by his own script, he declined to stay for the showing, which was well-received and prompted spontaneous applause at the end.
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Cast and characters:
Anthony Sharp … Father Xavier Meldrum
Susan Penhaligon … Jenny Welch
Stephanie Beacham … Vanessa Welch
Norman Eshley … Father Bernard Cutler
Sheila Keith … Miss Brabazon
Hilda Barry … Mrs. Meldrum
Stewart Bevan … Terry Wyatt (as Stuart Bevan)
Julia McCarthy … Mrs Davey
John Yule … Robert (as Jon Yule)
Bill Kerr … Mr Davey
Victor Winding … Doctor Gaudio
Jack Allen … Doctor – GP
Kim Butcher … Valerie Davey
Ivor Salter … Gravedigger
Andrew Sachs … Man in Church
Filming locations:
The Green, Richmond, Surrey, England
St James the Less – Pangbourne Hill, Pangbourne, Berkshire, England (exterior shots of the church)
Wayneflete Tower, Esher, Surrey, England (exterior and interior of the priest’s home)
Shot in 1975, 17th February onwards
Technical specs:
104 minutes
Audio: Mono
Aspect ratio: 1.85: 1
Clips:
Full film free to watch on YouTube:
