Demons of the Mind (1972) on Netflix
A widower keeps his grown son and daughter shut in his house, fearing madness like their mother's. He hires a questionable doctor to treat their mutual desire as murders strike nearby.
- Netflix2.7/5
- IMDb5.3/102,334 votes
- Rotten TomatoesNot available
Trailer
Plot summary
Fearing his grown children will follow their mother into madness, a wealthy widower keeps them confined in his house. He brings in a physician of uncertain standing to watch over their mental state and to end the unnatural pull they feel toward each other. Killings take place in the nearby village, and a traveling priest comes to the area to cast out whatever evil may be present.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Demons of the Mind (1972)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Screenwriter Christopher Wicking said director Peter Sykes wanted Paul Scofield and then Dirk Bogarde for the lead, but when neither wanted to do it Hammer felt it could not fall back on its usual stars Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, so the part went to Robert Hardy.
- Producer Frank Godwin said Eric Porter was set to star but changed his mind after seeing a mock-up poster for the film and deciding he no longer wished to do horror movies.
- The film's working title was Blood Will Have Blood; screenwriter Christopher Wicking said Hammer thought there were too many bloods, and that nobody there knew it was a quote from Shakespeare.
- According to The Monthly Film Bulletin, the part played by Gillian Hills was originally meant for Marianne Faithfull, while Paul Jones, described as a former pop idol, still played the male lead.
- Producer Frank Godwin said that making Demons of the Mind as a Hammer production in association with his own company let them break all the Hammer rules, shooting a huge amount on location including interiors, and casting actors who were not typical Hammer.
