The Last Sacrifice - FrightFest Glasgow UK Premiere Review
Director: Rupert Russell
Starring: Geraldine Beskin, Adam Godley, Ronald Hutton, Gavin Bone
Written by: Rupert Russell
Produced by: Sam Cryer
Cinematography by: Oliver Watts, Stefan Yap
Original Score by: Mike Lindsay
Synopsis:
Interrogating true crime's cultural impact, from murderous origins to modern revival. Exposing British society's prejudices and dark underbelly.
Thoughts:
True Crime has always had a major influence on horror cinema. In recent years there has been a rise in the number of films and television shows based on serial killers with Ryan Murphy's 'Monster' series being one of the most prominent. This isn't just limited to murder though as 'The Conjuring' series has looked at the different supernatural investigations of the Warrens. Even though they usually heavily embellish the truth, the idea that there is a degree of truth to stories like these can still send a chill down your spine especially when it is a documentary. Rupert Russell's latest documentary, 'The Last Sacrifice' looks at the twisted real life murder that influenced folk horror classic 'The Wicker Man' and the genre at large.
On 14 February 1945 on the slopes of Meon Hill in Warwickshire an elderly farm labourer called Charles Walton was murdered. He had been beaten and stabbed with both a pitch fork and a slash hook, but what drew the most attention and suspicion were reports that a cross had supposedly been carved into his chest suggesting that his death was ritualistic in nature. After revealing this information during the first act of the film, Russell explores how this incident was the inspiration for not just many folk horror films (predominantly The Wicker Man) but in how it had ties to the rise in occultism throughout England in the 60's and 70's.
The opening of the film really sets the tone for the documentary as idyllic newsreel footage of The Cotswold countryside is interspersed with violent flash cuts to occult imagery at a frenetic pace in a manner that shows these practices lurk and pervade beneath the ordinary and mundane. This mood is consistent throughout as the various talking heads (including writers and academics) offer insights into this idea whilst being interviewed next to a fire. The folk stylings to the music from Mike Lindsay also adds an unsettling layer to the film that not only is chilling but it also heightens the sensationalist elements to the tale. It is highly effective in keeping the viewer locked in throughout.
Whilst these sensational elements threaten to derail any sense of credibility to the film, Russell manages to keep things balanced through the matter of fact accounts from those who actively engaged in occult activities and witchcraft. The real strength and weakness of the film is in the manner in which Russell frames how an identity crisis in Britain in the post war years led to a boom in these kinds of counter cultural practices in the 60s and 70s. It is utterly fascinating drawing you in with a mixture of real life documentary footage on occultism but the use of footage from many folk horror films including the likes of 'Eye of the Devil' and 'Blood on Satan's Claw' manages to give a sense of how everything is linked together.
One particular section that stands out is the case of the Highgate Vampire about supposed supernatural activity near Highgate cemetery. It goes on to describe the near symbiotic nature between media and reality at the time mentioning how the Hammer film 'Taste the Blood of Dracula' led to the mythology of this case which in turn influenced 'Dracula A.D. 1972'. The way in which this segment is edited draws you in and intrigues you much like how the fascination in occultism drew in many different people around that time as discussed by those who are interviewed.
Whilst this is all very interesting material it leads to many other tangents (like the wonderfully tongue in cheek epilogue) that diverts you further away from the central case of Charles Walton's murder. It also feels that when dealing with this case there is an overreliance on coincidence in its investigation into what really happened. You get the impression that Russell wants legend to prevail over truth that whilst entertaining, doesn't particularly work as it detracts from the case at the heart of the film. Other obvious motives are brushed over when in all actuality they may be the reason for the murder.
'The Last Sacrifice' is an intriguing documentary on the case that inspired one of the great British films, 'The Wicker Man' but in doing so it loses focus by delving too deep into its exploration into the struggles for identity in post war Britain. These provide fascinating insights into the various subcultures in Britain and how they influenced so many folk horror films we revere to this day but they threaten to overshadow what happened to Charles Walton. Whilst fans of folk horror will eat it up, wider audiences will find enough to be enthralled by it.
Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
-Joseph McElroy
'The Last Sacrifice' received it's UK Premiere at FrightFest Glasgow on March 7th
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