Despite the fantastically ominous-sounding title, GUARDIAN OF THE ABYSS is another disappointing episode of the HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR TV show. Watching this marks the end of the series for me, and I've not been mightily impressed; the episodes are mildly enjoyable and it's nice to see some of the cast and crew of the old Hammer films back, but the same atmosphere has gone. These are workmanlike rather than magical.
GUARDIAN OF THE ABYSS is a black magic-themed episode of the show in which a couple of innocents are drawn into a dangerous cult with possession and human sacrifice at its heart. Things kick off well with a ferociously dangerous moment featuring a cameo turn from Sophie Thompson (sister of Emma, and well known for the likes of EASTENDERS), but they go downhill from there.
Despite various adult elements in the storyline this feels stagey and dull. The only decent black magic stories Hammer knew how to make were the ones written by Dennis Wheatley and even then only THE DEVIL RIDES OUT is a classic; GUARDIAN OF THE ABYSS is weak sauce by comparison. Still, it's nice to see the likes of Barbara Ewing (DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE) and John Carson (virtually reprising his role from PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES) appearing, but overall this is pretty dull.
GUARDIAN OF THE ABYSS is a black magic-themed episode of the show in which a couple of innocents are drawn into a dangerous cult with possession and human sacrifice at its heart. Things kick off well with a ferociously dangerous moment featuring a cameo turn from Sophie Thompson (sister of Emma, and well known for the likes of EASTENDERS), but they go downhill from there.
Despite various adult elements in the storyline this feels stagey and dull. The only decent black magic stories Hammer knew how to make were the ones written by Dennis Wheatley and even then only THE DEVIL RIDES OUT is a classic; GUARDIAN OF THE ABYSS is weak sauce by comparison. Still, it's nice to see the likes of Barbara Ewing (DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE) and John Carson (virtually reprising his role from PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES) appearing, but overall this is pretty dull.