Le fascinant capitaine Clegg

One of Hammer's finest films yet unseen for years. It has not been broadcast on British television since 1981 when it was under its American title, Night Creatures. But it's a wonderful little movie. Peter Cushing is on fine form as is the ever-reliable Patrick Allen and Oliver Reed gives a nice performance as an innocent young man (as if!) The irreplaceable Michael Ripper gets a bigger role here than in most of his films and shines too with a nice line in sarcasm. The story is fun and the location filming is very pleasant (actually Denham in Bucks and not Dymchurch at all!) but the thing that lifts this movie to classic status is the electrifying scenes of the Marsh Phantoms, a brilliant realisation of real fear. Remarkably considering that the viewer is aware from the start that they are villagers dressed up, their appearance is incredibly convincing! The opening sequence of scrolling scene setting and narration with a faint glimpse of a skeletal figure on horseback weaving through the background is only a hint of the awesome scenes that follow. After that the film settles down to good historical adventure, lively and funny and only occasionally marred by slapstick, as in the fight in the church. A neglected gem from a more simplistic age.

"Captain Clegg" is definitely not the best Hammer movie ever (that is in my opinion "Dracula"(1958) which is one of the best horror movies ever by the way) but it still generates some fine acting and a pleasing 80 minutes of non pretentious fun.

This is not a genuine horror movie,it is more a costume drama with some horror elements but it never becomes scary of gruesome.The best part of the movie is the acting by Hammer legend Peter Cushing.He carries the movie with his usual skills,it is a shame that he was never recognized as a first class actor which he is in my view.Only George Lucas gave him a big time role in the original "Star Wars"(1977).The other actors also do their best.There is a wonderful performance from Patrick Allen and even Oliver Reed is not annoying.

Overall,I can't say that is a classic but it is enjoyable in ways that is difficult to explain.It probably is the strength of Peter Cushing that helps a lot. 6/10

Of course being a Hammer fan I am completely biased. How anyone can not fall in love with Hammer films is beyond me (unless of course they watched the wretched 'Dracula AD 1972.' That however is a different review...). The colorized films are gorgeous to look at and 'Captain Clegg,' or 'Night Creatures' as it as also known is no different. Starkly contrasted visual sets make this film a joy to watch.

And then there is Peter Cushing. Cushing is always a joy to watch in any role, but I can't help but feel he must have enjoyed 'Captain Clegg' greatly. No vampires. No Frankensteins. No slime creatures. No creeping flesh. Peter Cushing acts in about as mainstream of a role as there was. Clearly he is enjoying himself and that only helps to make it a better film for the rest of us.

I won't get into plot details other than to say the film is about a group of late 18th Century smugglers in a village trying to outwit a patrol of the King's Revenue collectors. The film is far too short and you'll find yourself crying out for more. It runs at an extremely quick pace from open to close.

Something else remarkable in this film are the vivid characterizations. Hammer often skimps on those and proceeds directly to the monster. This is not the case here. You get to sink your teeth into several of the characters as this is very much as ensemble piece. Oliver Reed is strong, Cushing is magnificent, Michael Ripper is very good, and even Yvonne Romain is given some material to work with. Speaking of her, she turns in a very good performance. There is a fine balance of sweetness and menace she lives in. There are characters who love and seek to protect her and there are other characters with lustier, earthier goals. One particular scene has her working in the tavern serving drinks surrounded by rowdy, lecherous and leering sailors. Her character wants to be anywhere else -- it is hard to miss. She creates such empathy that its a shame as an actress her career wasn't longer. I think this film demonstrates that she great when given the chance to shine.

The most pleasant surprise is the philosophical depth that the film offers. It is in many ways is a meditation on life, on our past and how we may or may not be able to escape from it. The film asks if we are defined not only by what we do, but if the deeds we do can be erased or if we're to wear them forever like chains.

This is a special film which, until recently, was virtually impossible to see. Newly released on DVD, it can finally get the attention it deserves. WATCH THIS FILM. Treat yourself. You won't be disappointed.

i first saw this movie at a special screening at a hammer convention several years ago in London. until that morning i'd never even heard of it.

after watching it, in all it's Technicolor glory (they just don't make films like that anymore)i can't understand why it hasn't been screened in so long. funny, dramatic and a damn good story, classic cinema in it's finest. the wonderfully gifted and ever so slightly chilling peter cushing joins forces with a young and rather dashing oliver Reid to protect a girl, a treasure, a secret past and a pretty lucrative smuggling gig.

Captain Clegg (AKA: Night Creatures) is a Hammer-Major production in Eastman Color, it's directed by Peter Graham Scott with a screenplay written by John Elder. It stars Peter Cushing, Yvonne Romain, Patrick Allen, Oliver Reed, Michael Ripper and David Lodge. Music is by Don Banks and cinematography by Arthur Grant.

"The Romney Marshes-Flat And Desolate-Was The Land Of A Proud And-Independent People. Their Shores Faced The Shores Of France-And Many Was The Shipload Of Wine And Brandy Smuggled Across The Sea In Defiance Of The King's Revenue Men. Many Legends Have Come From This Corner Of England-But None So Widely Believed Or Widely Feared-As The Legend Of The Marsh Phantoms-Who Rode The Land On Dark Misty Nights And Struck Fear Into The Hearts Of All Who Crossed Their Paths."

Hammer's film is actually a remake of a little known 1937 film called Doctor Syn that starred George Arliss as the title character and featured Margaret Lockwood in support. For their take on the Captain Clegg/Marsh Phantoms story, Hammer craft a colourful Gothic like mystery/thriller that contains horror elements. It's certainly not overtly horror, something that has undoubtedly threw some horror seekers venturing into the film for the first time. This may explain why to a large extent it remains a largely unknown Hammer picture, which doesn't as yet have a DVD release in the country of its birth! The story is a very good one with smugglers, murders, romantic passions, ghostly apparitions and duplicitous characters. All given an excellent period production design by Bernard Robinson for the interiors, while the exteriors are nicely filmed out of the village of Denham in South Buckinghamshire.

Pigeon Pie, Creepy Scarecrow and the Romney Marsh Phantoms.

Of course none of the period flavourings and narrative intrigue would mean much if the acting wasn't up to scratch. Which on reflection is another reason why this is something of a criminally under seen Hammer picture. For not only does it have Cushing turning in one of his best performances (blending dandy fop with a crafty undercurrent), it also has a cast around him that are fully committed and effective in their roles. Which nicely includes Hammer stalwart Michael Ripper (as Mipps the undertaker) getting a more meatier role than usual. Patrick Allen (Dial M for Murder) is imposing as the officious Captain Collier, Martin Benson (The King and I) is suitably shifty as Rash and David Lodge (The Cockleshell Heroes) adds the muscle presence as Bosun. Standing out is Olly Reed as Harry, wonderfully dominating his scenes, he does a neat line in brooding, while Romain (The Curse of the Werewolf) is the classic Hammer wench type, pretty with a heaving bosom, she induces lusty lustations in Harry and Rash.

There's some plot holes that the alert will not miss, and the big reveal is pretty much sign posted to us at the mid-point. But this is a little cracker that Hammer fans, Cushing fans and fans of period mysteries should definitely seek out. 8/10