Cry of the Banshee

Cry of the Banshee

Year: 1970

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Gordon Hessler

HorrorHorror

In seventeenth‑century England, Lord Whitman obsessively hunts witchcraft, exacting brutal punishment on villagers he deems witches. When a wronged sorceress survives his purge, she curses his family, manipulating one of his household servants to unwittingly aid her vengeance.

Cry of the Banshee (1970) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Cry of the Banshee (1970) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the shadow‑laden valleys of seventeenth‑century England, superstition and authority intertwine like tangled brambles. The landscape is a tapestry of mist‑cloaked hamlets, ancient woods whispered about in fevered prayers, and looming manor houses that seem to drink the light. A pervasive dread hangs over the countryside, its tone equal parts gothic horror and austere historical drama, inviting the viewer to feel the weight of every superstition‑laden breath.

Lord Whitman presides over this world with a relentless zeal for rooting out witchcraft. A magistrate whose reputation for severity borders on legend, he commands both fear and respect, treating the hunt for the occult as a personal crusade. His household is a study in rigid hierarchy: the stern yet anguished Lady Patricia, his wife who watches his obsession with growing unease, and their children, each caught between duty and the looming specter of their father’s unyielding convictions. Their interactions hint at fractures beneath the polished veneer of aristocratic life.

When a sorceress who has escaped Whitman’s purges swears vengeance, the curse she unleashes begins to seep into the very foundations of the Whitman estate. She manipulates Roderick, a loyal servant whose quiet devotion makes him an unsuspecting conduit for the dark promise she has made. The servant’s role introduces a subtle, unsettling undercurrent: the ordinary can become the instrument of an ancient, unfathomable malice.

The film drifts through this oppressive atmosphere, allowing the audience to taste the tension that coils around every candlelit hallway and fog‑shrouded path. It poses lingering questions about how far a single man’s obsession can ripple through the lives of those around him, and whether the unseen forces he fears might, in turn, become the forces that shape his destiny. The promise of a lingering curse hangs over the narrative, leaving the future of the Whitman family cloaked in uncertainty.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:10

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Grim folk horror and supernatural vengeance like Cry of the Banshee

Stories of ancient curses and brutal violence exacting a relentless price.If you liked the relentless dread and supernatural retribution in Cry of the Banshee, this thread collects similar movies. These folk horror stories often feature witch hunts, ancient curses, and brutal consequences for human hubris, creating a terrifying and bleak viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a simple but powerful cause-and-effect structure: a character or group commits a grave injustice, awakening a dormant supernatural force or drawing the ire of a coven. The story then methodically unfolds as a curse or vengeful entity systematically dismantles the transgressor's life, leading to a final, hopeless confrontation.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a commitment to creating a terrifying, fatalistic mood through folklore-inspired horror. They are united by high-intensity violence, a dark and unrelenting tone, and a focus on the terrifying consequences of meddling with forces beyond human understanding.

Movies with a bleak sense of doom like Cry of the Banshee

Character-driven tragedies where fate is sealed from the very beginning.For viewers who appreciated the fatalistic terror and hopeless finale of Cry of the Banshee, this thread finds similar films. These stories feature characters trapped by curses, oppressive systems, or their own destinies, leading to a devastating and emotionally heavy conclusion.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is a straightforward descent, often beginning with a mistake or a curse that sets an unstoppable chain of events in motion. The protagonist's journey is not one of overcoming obstacles but of gradually realizing the futility of their struggle against an overwhelming force, culminating in a bleak and definitive ending.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared emotional trajectory: a heavy, oppressive mood that builds towards an inevitable and hopeless conclusion. They prioritize a steady pacing that allows dread to fester and a high emotional weight derived from the characters' powerless struggle.

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Cry of the Banshee Summary

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Cry of the Banshee Summary

Cry of the Banshee Timeline

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Cry of the Banshee Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cry of the Banshee

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Cry of the Banshee

More About Cry of the Banshee

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