Ok, so Ava Gardner isn't exactly a hag here, except maybe in character, seen in the first scene biting the buttocks of a sleepy, unwilling lover, then gently dumping him as he cries on her shoulder. It's a disgusting exposition, especially since he really doesn't seem all that into women. The next thing you know, she's onto the more manly Ian MacShane who is also seeing both the younger Joanna Lumley and Stephanie Beacham on the side. It's fascinating casting to see one of the most beautiful women of the 1940's and 50's up against the future Please Stone of "Absolutely Fabulous" and Sable Colby, but as glamorous as Ava still is, what she really lacks is a fully developed character, a decent story and a good script.
Sadly, the talented cast is under the thumb of an equally talented actor, but novice director. Roddy McDowall wasn't choosy about the script, thinking that everything would take care of itself. It's a convoluted story of an aging alleged witch tossed aside for youth, and being the vicar's daughter that she's tossed aside for sets her satanic heart raging in flames. There's no real elements of horror until the last reel, and then because of red tinted photography, it is extremely difficult to make out. The musical score is strangely inappropriate. This easily would have been a bomb had it not been for Gardner who photographs nicely but is missing the heat that such an evil character requires. One scene reminds me of Glenn Close in "Dangerous Liasons", but the rest of the film is far too cartoonish and downright boring.
Sadly, the talented cast is under the thumb of an equally talented actor, but novice director. Roddy McDowall wasn't choosy about the script, thinking that everything would take care of itself. It's a convoluted story of an aging alleged witch tossed aside for youth, and being the vicar's daughter that she's tossed aside for sets her satanic heart raging in flames. There's no real elements of horror until the last reel, and then because of red tinted photography, it is extremely difficult to make out. The musical score is strangely inappropriate. This easily would have been a bomb had it not been for Gardner who photographs nicely but is missing the heat that such an evil character requires. One scene reminds me of Glenn Close in "Dangerous Liasons", but the rest of the film is far too cartoonish and downright boring.