Whoever said that horror wasn't an educational film genre, huh? Thanks to this marvelous Hammer short movie, I now at least know NEVER to offer a strange visitor any wine and a slice of bread with salt in my own house, because he might just be hypnotist and this combination will give him the power to control my thoughts & mind forever! Thank you Hammer! The tenth episode in the House of Horror series is another one I've been looking forward to seeing, mainly because the guy in the director's chair was Don Sharp; one of Britain's finest filmmakers but still sadly underrated. Sharp was responsible for some very cool Hammer films, like "Kiss of the Vampire" and "Rasputin: The Mad Monk", as well as some overlooked independent productions like "Dark Places" and "Psychomania". His contribution to House of Horror is easily one of the best in the series, with a complex yet fascinating plot outline and revolving on delightful occult themes. The plot centers on two antique dealers that stumble upon a strange object resembling a mirror, but it's actually an ancient scrying device that can be used to summon Choronzhon; the demonic guardian of the abyss. The mirror is heavily desired by a satanic cult since they need it for their ceremonies, but Michael is reluctant to sell it before knowing the real value of the device. When he picks up a clearly petrified girl who's running from the cult to avoid being sacrificed, Michael is drawn even deeper into an occult conspiracy. Satanic cults and the carnal sacrifice of young women are typical British horror topics, but David Fischer's screenplay is never dull and offers plenty of neat plot twits, among which a highly inventive climax. There's also plenty of tension to admire, the dialogs are wit and the acting performances are splendid (especially John Carson as the leader of the cult is genuinely eerie). Recommended!
19 Reviews
Contrived , Bizarre But Highly Involving
Theo Robertson9 September 2013
Antiques dealer Michael Roberts buys a scrying glass and on his way home a terrified young woman called Allison begs him to give her a lift since she claims she's being pursued . Driving her to his home Michael goes in to the kitchen to fix them both a drink and when he returns to the living room he finds both Allison and the scrying glass have both disappeared
This is traditional Hammer studio fare , an unapologetic homage to Dennis Wheatley who was still a very popular author back when this was first broadcast . Despite being broadcast in 1980 and being repeated again circa 1985 I can't recall a single scene from this episode even more surprising since it features Paul Darrow - for ever known as Kerr Avon from BLAKES 7 - in a villainous role . Certainly with a dark Satanic plot juxtaposed with the everyday surroundings of small market towns and antique dealings it's an episode that would have stuck in the mind of a teenager watching it in the 1980s
Being less than an hour long probably benefits the story to a degree since it's rather stream lined and pacy lacking any padding . It does suffer from some remarkable contrivances such as Michael Roberts and Simon Andrews being bitter business rivals who does damsel in distress Allison manage to hitch a lift from ? None other than Michael which sets up the story in a way that only seems to happen in badly contrived films and TV shows , you'd think there was sort of cosmic joke the way things happen in these situations but that's taking things a little too seriously and for what it is The Guardian Of The Abyss is a fairly entertaining horror adventure
This is traditional Hammer studio fare , an unapologetic homage to Dennis Wheatley who was still a very popular author back when this was first broadcast . Despite being broadcast in 1980 and being repeated again circa 1985 I can't recall a single scene from this episode even more surprising since it features Paul Darrow - for ever known as Kerr Avon from BLAKES 7 - in a villainous role . Certainly with a dark Satanic plot juxtaposed with the everyday surroundings of small market towns and antique dealings it's an episode that would have stuck in the mind of a teenager watching it in the 1980s
Being less than an hour long probably benefits the story to a degree since it's rather stream lined and pacy lacking any padding . It does suffer from some remarkable contrivances such as Michael Roberts and Simon Andrews being bitter business rivals who does damsel in distress Allison manage to hitch a lift from ? None other than Michael which sets up the story in a way that only seems to happen in badly contrived films and TV shows , you'd think there was sort of cosmic joke the way things happen in these situations but that's taking things a little too seriously and for what it is The Guardian Of The Abyss is a fairly entertaining horror adventure
Antiques Roadshow Extreme
orangeanubis19 April 2012
When Antiques Roadshow began its regular run on the BBC in 1979, ITV were slow to respond with a rival show. Fortunately a year later Hammer Films slipped this subversive take on the format into their run of modern horror tales.
So Guardian of the Abyss features many tropes that would have been familiar to Antiques Roadshow viewers: the thrill of an exciting new find at a clearance sale, a bidding war by squabbling dealers, a sale almost being made before a further valuation is recommended... It's heady stuff which is well dramatised with a lot of flouncing in and out of antiques shops and fondling of military figurines.
Against this backdrop the occult elements are almost incidental, but to make the format appealing to ITV viewers, naturally everything is drenched in blood, sex and mesmerism. A triumph.
As an aside, the Plot Keywords section is correct to say 'Mirror', 'Hell' and 'Lingerie Slip', but 'Satan' is misleading – as other reviewers have noted, it's the demon Choronzon who features.
So Guardian of the Abyss features many tropes that would have been familiar to Antiques Roadshow viewers: the thrill of an exciting new find at a clearance sale, a bidding war by squabbling dealers, a sale almost being made before a further valuation is recommended... It's heady stuff which is well dramatised with a lot of flouncing in and out of antiques shops and fondling of military figurines.
Against this backdrop the occult elements are almost incidental, but to make the format appealing to ITV viewers, naturally everything is drenched in blood, sex and mesmerism. A triumph.
As an aside, the Plot Keywords section is correct to say 'Mirror', 'Hell' and 'Lingerie Slip', but 'Satan' is misleading – as other reviewers have noted, it's the demon Choronzon who features.
Atmospheric Occult H.H.H. Episode
Witchfinder-General-66625 August 2009
I love occult Horror, and the great British Hammer Studios, who delivered one of their greatest films with "The Devil Rides Out" (1968), have proved to be more than capable in this field of Horror. This occult tenth episode of Hammer's short running TV-series "Hammer House of Horror" (1980), "Guardian of the Abyss", is indeed a creepy entry to the series. Director Don Sharp, who had previously enriched the Hammer oeuvre with "The Kiss of the Vampire" (1963) and "Rasputin: The Mad Monk" (1966) and furthermore directed two "Fu Machu" movies starring Christopher Lee, is doubtlessly one of the better-known names among the HHH directors, and he also delivers here. Antiques dealer Michael (Ray Lonnen) stumbles over a mysterious old scrying glass. The scrying glass happens to be the object of desire of a devil-worshiping cult, who want to use it for their satanic rites. When he shelters a beautiful young girl named Allison (Rosalyn Landor), who is to be sacrificed by the cult, Michael gets into deeper trouble with the cult and their sinister leader (John Carson)... While this is not one of my absolute favorite episodes of "Hammer House of Horror" (the best one clearly is the brilliant seventh episode, "The Silent Scream"), it is a very creepy and atmospheric one. The plot has several interesting twists, and stays suspenseful and uncanny throughout the film. Ray Lonnen makes a good lead, young Rosalyin Landor is convincing as the innocent beauty, and John Carson is truly creepy as the leader of the Satanists. Overall, "Guardian of the Abyss" is another interesting and creepy HHH tale, and my fellow Hammer fans should not miss it.
Occult mirrors, black magicians and a racy bedroom scene in this amusing Hammer hokum
J. Spurlin23 December 2006
Michael Roberts (Roy Lonnen) joins his friend Laura Stephens (Barbara Ewing) at an auction and talks her out of selling her newly-acquired mirror to a mysterious man (Simon Andrews) who seems excessively eager to have it. When Michael takes it from her to have it appraised, its occult powers put him in the path of Allison (the china doll-like Rosalyn Landor), who has just run away from a secret society that wants to sacrifice her in order to conjure up a powerful devil. The head of this society is Charles Randolph (John Carson), an evil hypnotist whom Michael will find extremely dangerous.
Don Sharp directs a script by David Fisher and delivers this amusing Hammerfied nonsense. It features sinister faces appearing in mirrors; a devil with a slimy, scaly green face; a racy bedroom scene; chicken blood; voodoo; a young woman in a revealing white dress that has two upside-down black crosses over the breasts; and a not entirely satisfying trick ending. Just remember that if you find yourself offering bread, salt and wine in your own house to an elegant stranger, he's probably hypnotizing you into performing a ritual that will give him possession of your soul. You wouldn't want that, would you?
Don Sharp directs a script by David Fisher and delivers this amusing Hammerfied nonsense. It features sinister faces appearing in mirrors; a devil with a slimy, scaly green face; a racy bedroom scene; chicken blood; voodoo; a young woman in a revealing white dress that has two upside-down black crosses over the breasts; and a not entirely satisfying trick ending. Just remember that if you find yourself offering bread, salt and wine in your own house to an elegant stranger, he's probably hypnotizing you into performing a ritual that will give him possession of your soul. You wouldn't want that, would you?
Hammer House Of Horror: Guardian Of The Abyss (Don Sharp, 1980) (TV) **1/2
Bunuel197629 October 2007
Hammer probably regretted not getting the cult classic THE WICKER MAN (1973); this, then, was their chance to make amends (the plot may be closer to the company's own THE DEVIL RIDES OUT [1968], but the revelation is straight out of the Anthony Shaffer/Robin Hardy chiller). However, the result isn't exactly special, if eminently watchable (as all of their work still is after all these years). It does feature three past contributors from the horror outfit's heyday: director Sharp (KISS OF THE VAMPIRE [1963]), imposing villain John Carson (PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES [1966]) and ex-starlet Barbara Ewing (DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE [1968]). Then again, lovely leading lady Rosalyn Landor makes as good an impression (and not just for the obvious reason).
excellent all the way
trashgang10 May 2010
For me this is one of the better episodes in the Hammer series. In fact, the whole episode you are into the storyline. It starts off pretty well and never fails to keep you attracted. The ending also has a bit of a surprise as always with the Hammer episodes but also there is an extra plot change that you can't see coming. The effects used are a bit of a let down. When the guardian of the abyss appears you will see that it is the cheapest effect used like in the old days, (30 and 40's) but still the creepiness and the blood flows. due to the cheapness there was never a second season, Twilight Zone was broadcasted and was better done , but the Hammer series is cult
Boy, I really dig these "Hammer" classics.
nt-307 July 2000
There's something about every "Hammer" movie I see that really takes me into a new fantasy world. In the world of "Hammer" movies, anything can happen. "Guardian of the Abyss" is one of those types of movies. It adventures deep into the occult and hypnosis to bring a different type of horror fantasy. All in all, an unforgettable movie. 7.5/10.
One of the best episodes!
canndyman1 November 2020
I've always loved this episode from the classic series that illuminated our Saturday nights back in the Autumn and Winter of 1980.
This one deals with a satanic cult - and it's great to see a now-adult Rosalyn Landor playing a similar role to the one she played in the classic Hammer Film 'The Devil Rides Out'.
The story concerns a mysterious ancient mirror which turns up at an antiques fair - and Michael, an art dealer, who unwittingly takes possession of it to get it valued - and then becomes drawn in to the cult, known as the Chorozon Society.
Rosalyn plays Alison, a young woman who's a member of the society but has run away - only to accidentally meet Michael when she literally runs out into the road in front of his car.
The mirror is a 'scrying glass', and has incredible powers - and it just so happens that the Chorozon Society - led by Charles Randolph (brilliantly played by the excellent John Carson), need a willing victim (born on the solstice and in possession of the glass) as a sacrifice to make their devilish Lord Chorozon physically manifest in the human realm...
This whole episode is suspenseful and memorable, and filled with many classic scenes that make this show so distinctive. There are plenty of twists and turns and deceptions along the way, and you really do wonder how it will all end. The Chorozon Society themselves are mysterious and secretive - but in real life seem to regular people, whom you would never realize belonged to a satanic cult! It has just the right atmosphere and tension as it builds up to the story's eventual climax.
There's some good locations around Amersham too, as well as Great Hampden - and look out for an early appearance from the gorgeous Caroline Langrishe as a shop assistant at the antiques shop. Definitely an episode to watch with a glass of vino (and a little dry bread!)
This one deals with a satanic cult - and it's great to see a now-adult Rosalyn Landor playing a similar role to the one she played in the classic Hammer Film 'The Devil Rides Out'.
The story concerns a mysterious ancient mirror which turns up at an antiques fair - and Michael, an art dealer, who unwittingly takes possession of it to get it valued - and then becomes drawn in to the cult, known as the Chorozon Society.
Rosalyn plays Alison, a young woman who's a member of the society but has run away - only to accidentally meet Michael when she literally runs out into the road in front of his car.
The mirror is a 'scrying glass', and has incredible powers - and it just so happens that the Chorozon Society - led by Charles Randolph (brilliantly played by the excellent John Carson), need a willing victim (born on the solstice and in possession of the glass) as a sacrifice to make their devilish Lord Chorozon physically manifest in the human realm...
This whole episode is suspenseful and memorable, and filled with many classic scenes that make this show so distinctive. There are plenty of twists and turns and deceptions along the way, and you really do wonder how it will all end. The Chorozon Society themselves are mysterious and secretive - but in real life seem to regular people, whom you would never realize belonged to a satanic cult! It has just the right atmosphere and tension as it builds up to the story's eventual climax.
There's some good locations around Amersham too, as well as Great Hampden - and look out for an early appearance from the gorgeous Caroline Langrishe as a shop assistant at the antiques shop. Definitely an episode to watch with a glass of vino (and a little dry bread!)
"Don't you know the power of positive evil?"
classicsoncall5 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Only one thing prevents this episode from being the truly macabre and horrific story it was intended to be. When Allison (Rosalyn Landor) initially escaped from the Choronzon Society, it was with real fear and trepidation as to what her outcome would be if she was used to summon the satanic figure of Lord Chornzon. But fast forward to the end of the story, and she turns into a willing accomplice for Charles Randolph (John Carson) in revealing Michael Roberts (Ray Lonnen) as the 'eagerly' arriving victim with the scrying glass. The two motivations are at odds with each other and don't make sense. If the story were written with Allison escaping under the pretext of working with Randolph it would have been more credible. One doesn't have to feign fear and indecision when there's no one looking. Otherwise, this was an effective tale of demonic evil and black magic that ends with one of the principals now under the spell of the satanic cult. No happy ending as it were, just a victory for the cultists.
Deceptive Conclusion
claudio_carvalho10 August 2020
The antiquarian Michael Roberts (Ray Lonnen) buys an old mirror in an auction with his friend Laura (Barbara Ewing). Meanwhile, the young woman Allison (Rosalyn Landor) flees from a sect that worships the demon Choronzon and wants to sacrifice her to summon the devil. She stumbles upon Michael's car on the road and he brings her home. He learns that the mirror is a powerful instrument to summon Choronzon. Soon the leader of the cult society Charles Randolph (John Carson), who is a hypnotist, visits Michael expecting to bring Allison back to the sect with the mirror. But Michael has fallen in love with Allison and will do anything to protect her.
"Guardian of the Abyss" is an engaging episode of "Hammer House of Horror" but unfortunately with a deceptive conclusion. The plot attracts the attention of the viewer since the beginning but when Michael goes after Allison, the sequence is terrible. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "Guardião do Abismo" ("Guardian of the Abyss")
"Guardian of the Abyss" is an engaging episode of "Hammer House of Horror" but unfortunately with a deceptive conclusion. The plot attracts the attention of the viewer since the beginning but when Michael goes after Allison, the sequence is terrible. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "Guardião do Abismo" ("Guardian of the Abyss")
Looking glass into the great evil beyond
Woodyanders3 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Antiques exporter Michael Roberts (a fine performance by Ray Lonnen) acquires a scrying glass at an auction and decides to have it appraised. This puts Michael in the path of Allison (the lovely and beguiling Rosalyn Lander), who's on the run from a sinister secret society of devil worshipers led by evil hypnotist Charles Randolph (well played with deliciously wicked aplomb by John Carson).
Director Don Sharp relates the absorbing story at a snappy pace, builds a good deal of tension, and ably crafts a spooky atmosphere. This episode further benefits from uniformly excellent acting from a bang-up cast: Paul Darrow as pesky rival Andrews, Caroline Langrishe as chipper sales lady Tina, and, in an oddly uncredited, yet substantial role, the delightful Barbara Ewing as Michael's sassy and helpful friend Laura. The surprise grim ending packs a startling punch. John McCabe's spirited shuddery score hits the spine-tingling spot. An on the money episode.
Director Don Sharp relates the absorbing story at a snappy pace, builds a good deal of tension, and ably crafts a spooky atmosphere. This episode further benefits from uniformly excellent acting from a bang-up cast: Paul Darrow as pesky rival Andrews, Caroline Langrishe as chipper sales lady Tina, and, in an oddly uncredited, yet substantial role, the delightful Barbara Ewing as Michael's sassy and helpful friend Laura. The surprise grim ending packs a startling punch. John McCabe's spirited shuddery score hits the spine-tingling spot. An on the money episode.
Alison Through The Looking Glass
southdavid18 August 2020
A slightly predictable, if well-made addition to the series this time - showcasing a host of recognisable faces from UK TV, if perhaps lacking a little in the star power of some of the other episodes.
Antique dealer Michael Roberts (Ray Lonnen) comes into possession of an antique scrying glass and on his way home is flagged down by Allison (Rosalyn Landor) a young woman who's running from a devil worshipping cult. The cult, led by the sinister Charles Randolph (John Carson) are hot on both their tails, particularly when the location of both the mirror and Allison are told to secret member of the cult and fellow antique dealer, Andrews (Paul Darrow).
A little short on gore this one. Aside from the climax, the nearest thing is in the opening sequence when a young girl, played by another recognisable face, Sophie Thompson, is exposed to the mirror and reacts by bashing her head against a wall. It's not as racy as some of the others either, though there is a sex scene between Michael and Allison - played by the lovely Rosalyn Landor, who I recognised from an early episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation". I also recognised Caroline Langrishe, who's a staple of BBC Sunday evening dramas, in a supporting role as Andrew's assistant.
The story gives you all the clues to guess the ending well before you actually get there. There was hints towards a second twist nearer the end, that I thought might have been a good decision, regarding the Andrew's character, but it wasn't to be. It was more watchable than some of the other episodes have been, but ultimately, as is the fate for rather too many of the episodes of this series, its' a bit forgettable.
Antique dealer Michael Roberts (Ray Lonnen) comes into possession of an antique scrying glass and on his way home is flagged down by Allison (Rosalyn Landor) a young woman who's running from a devil worshipping cult. The cult, led by the sinister Charles Randolph (John Carson) are hot on both their tails, particularly when the location of both the mirror and Allison are told to secret member of the cult and fellow antique dealer, Andrews (Paul Darrow).
A little short on gore this one. Aside from the climax, the nearest thing is in the opening sequence when a young girl, played by another recognisable face, Sophie Thompson, is exposed to the mirror and reacts by bashing her head against a wall. It's not as racy as some of the others either, though there is a sex scene between Michael and Allison - played by the lovely Rosalyn Landor, who I recognised from an early episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation". I also recognised Caroline Langrishe, who's a staple of BBC Sunday evening dramas, in a supporting role as Andrew's assistant.
The story gives you all the clues to guess the ending well before you actually get there. There was hints towards a second twist nearer the end, that I thought might have been a good decision, regarding the Andrew's character, but it wasn't to be. It was more watchable than some of the other episodes have been, but ultimately, as is the fate for rather too many of the episodes of this series, its' a bit forgettable.
The second duff Hammer House of Horror story in a row!
poolandrews26 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Hammer House of Horror: Guardian of the Abyss starts as small time antiques dealer Laura Stephens (Barbara Ewing) buys an inconspicuous box of junk at a local auction house for the princely sum of £3.50, there doesn't seem to anything of any great worth until she notices an antique scrying mirror. Laura is then offered a lot of money for it from another dealer named Simon Andrews (Paul Darrow), she refuses & lets her friend Michael Roberts (Ray Lonnen) take it to be appraised who happens to be, yes you've guessed it, an antiques dealer as well. However his day soon takes a turn for the worse when while driving Michael almost runs over a young girl named Allison (Rosalyn Landor) who is on the run from the sinister Corinson society who just so happen to need the mirror because it serves as a gateway to call a powerful demon called Corinson the Guardian of the Abyss & the protector of the gates to hell...
Guardian of the Abyss was episode 10 from the one & only season of this made-for-TV British horror anthology series produced by Hammer studios, directed by Don Sharp I must admit I thought this was average at best & after episode 9 which was Carpathian Eagle I've lost a little faith in the show since both have been pretty standard & forgettable fare. The script by David Fisher tells a tale of devil worship & black magic which is fine but I felt there wasn't anything new here, the tight 50 minute running time didn't actually help matters here & it felt a bit rushed with a frustrating ending as the film just finishes. The basic premise is good, it moves along at a reasonable pace, there are a couple of nice scenes but I thought the twists were way too predictable & it's nothing I haven't seen before. The character's are OK as is the dialogue but when all said & done Guardian of the Abyss didn't really do much for me & considering the excellent episodes of Hammer House of Horror I'd seen before Carpathian Eagle & this I can only feel a sense of disappointment.
Like the other 12 episodes Guardian of the Abyss was shot entirely on 35mm film & on location which means it looks pretty damned good especially when you compare it to other British TV show's at the time. I doubt the budgets were that big, in fact the entire series cost just under $4,000,000 to make which when divided between 13 episodes comes out as about $300,000 each. Many of the same locations & props are used throughout the series but they do look very good & could almost be cinematic features. There's no real gore in this one but there is a decent make-up job on Corinson demon. This has a good atmosphere about it & a few creepy moments. The acting is OK, if you take Paul Darrow's first name & his character Simon Andrews last then you'll get Paul Andrews which is my name! How pointless was that? Sorry.
Guardian of the Abyss is an OK episode dealing in black magic rituals but I thought it was just too predictable, too scatter-shot & uneven for my liking. Average at best & there are better Hammer House of Horror episodes out there waiting to be seen...
Guardian of the Abyss was episode 10 from the one & only season of this made-for-TV British horror anthology series produced by Hammer studios, directed by Don Sharp I must admit I thought this was average at best & after episode 9 which was Carpathian Eagle I've lost a little faith in the show since both have been pretty standard & forgettable fare. The script by David Fisher tells a tale of devil worship & black magic which is fine but I felt there wasn't anything new here, the tight 50 minute running time didn't actually help matters here & it felt a bit rushed with a frustrating ending as the film just finishes. The basic premise is good, it moves along at a reasonable pace, there are a couple of nice scenes but I thought the twists were way too predictable & it's nothing I haven't seen before. The character's are OK as is the dialogue but when all said & done Guardian of the Abyss didn't really do much for me & considering the excellent episodes of Hammer House of Horror I'd seen before Carpathian Eagle & this I can only feel a sense of disappointment.
Like the other 12 episodes Guardian of the Abyss was shot entirely on 35mm film & on location which means it looks pretty damned good especially when you compare it to other British TV show's at the time. I doubt the budgets were that big, in fact the entire series cost just under $4,000,000 to make which when divided between 13 episodes comes out as about $300,000 each. Many of the same locations & props are used throughout the series but they do look very good & could almost be cinematic features. There's no real gore in this one but there is a decent make-up job on Corinson demon. This has a good atmosphere about it & a few creepy moments. The acting is OK, if you take Paul Darrow's first name & his character Simon Andrews last then you'll get Paul Andrews which is my name! How pointless was that? Sorry.
Guardian of the Abyss is an OK episode dealing in black magic rituals but I thought it was just too predictable, too scatter-shot & uneven for my liking. Average at best & there are better Hammer House of Horror episodes out there waiting to be seen...
A classic Hammer production.
Sleepin_Dragon12 June 2023
Antique dealer Michael Roberts comes into the possession of a beautiful mirror, which turns out to be a scrying glass. Michael comes to the aid of Allison, a young woman fleeing from a group of occultists, but he has something they want.
This is a very well produced episode, it feels slick and tightly pieced together, but it's the story itself that I find so enjoyable. The sets are terrific, especially the Occultist worshipping chamber.
It wouldn't be a Hammer series if there wasn't a story of The Occult, and this one works very well, writer David Fisher had a definite flair for blood rituals and devil worship, I'd go so far as to say this is one of the show's best episodes.
This one certainly has an unexpected twist at the end, it's something a little different, and instead of the usual damsel on the alter....well just watch and see.
I would suggest they went for a bit of sex appeal here, Rosalyn Landor is strikingly beautiful, and Ray Lonnen certainly had a degree of sex appeal.
The acting is spot on, John Carson fits the bill as the menacing Charles Randolph very well, Lonnen, Darrow and Landor are all very good indeed.
A favourite of mine.
8/10.
This is a very well produced episode, it feels slick and tightly pieced together, but it's the story itself that I find so enjoyable. The sets are terrific, especially the Occultist worshipping chamber.
It wouldn't be a Hammer series if there wasn't a story of The Occult, and this one works very well, writer David Fisher had a definite flair for blood rituals and devil worship, I'd go so far as to say this is one of the show's best episodes.
This one certainly has an unexpected twist at the end, it's something a little different, and instead of the usual damsel on the alter....well just watch and see.
I would suggest they went for a bit of sex appeal here, Rosalyn Landor is strikingly beautiful, and Ray Lonnen certainly had a degree of sex appeal.
The acting is spot on, John Carson fits the bill as the menacing Charles Randolph very well, Lonnen, Darrow and Landor are all very good indeed.
A favourite of mine.
8/10.
A very middling entry in the 'Hammer House of Horror' series
Red-Barracuda7 March 2015
Guardian of the Abyss is the tenth episode in the 'Hammer House of Horror' TV series. This is the episode about devil worship. It centres on two antique dealers who fight over a mysterious artifact that has the power to summon an ancient demon called Choronzon. Needless to say, one of the men represents a satanic cult that wants the antique for a ceremony in which they intend to sacrifice a young woman as part of a ritual which will bring the evil entity into the world.
This episode was directed by Don Sharp, who helmed some Hammer feature films as well as the very fun horror movie Psychomania (1973). With this film, he is tasked with putting together a story clearly influenced by the work of the British novelist Dennis Wheatley whose work had previously been adapted for the screen by Hammer in the cases of The Devil Rides Out (1968) and To the Devil a Daughter (1976). Obviously he was working with a lesser budget here and unfortunately this episode is a rather mediocre entry in the series which was sadly beginning to noticeably dip in quality by this point.
This episode was directed by Don Sharp, who helmed some Hammer feature films as well as the very fun horror movie Psychomania (1973). With this film, he is tasked with putting together a story clearly influenced by the work of the British novelist Dennis Wheatley whose work had previously been adapted for the screen by Hammer in the cases of The Devil Rides Out (1968) and To the Devil a Daughter (1976). Obviously he was working with a lesser budget here and unfortunately this episode is a rather mediocre entry in the series which was sadly beginning to noticeably dip in quality by this point.
Sheer style - and still my favourite
midbrowcontrarian6 December 2020
As an almost compulsive contrarian I'm used to seeing my favourite episode languishing halfway down the ratings, be it comedy, horror, or science fiction. And at the time of writing so it is with HHH, along with my second and third preferences, The Thirteenth Reunion and Charlie Boy. In the early 80s I recorded three episodes including GOTA, and since then I completely forgot the other ten. I've just watched them all again and this is still my favourite.
To be honest I enjoy and am more familiar with science fiction than horror. So I am judging them on their own merits, not on how they compare with a film I'm probably unfamiliar with. Certainly, The Two Faces Of Evil and The House That Bled To Death have more gore, which I don't particularly want to see. Carpathian Eagle has more sex, couldn't possibly comment.
To encapsulate in a word why I love GOTA: style. It's at least as fast-paced as any episode and has a number of attractive settings, antique shops, nice houses, and an auction room. This may sound snobbish but it's nicer to look at than a pet shop or dilapidated house. Excellent acting, the good versus evil confrontation when Charles Randolph (John Carson) tries to hypnotize Michael Roberts (Ray Lonnen) is, for my money, the most riveting five minutes in the entire series. Not quite up there with James Mason and Robert Ryan in Caught (1949) but pretty damn good. And Caroline Langrishe is in it. I rest my case.
Groupthink seems to play a part in popularity ratings, favoured episodes often feature a well loved actor or a scene that becomes famous. Would The Silent Scream be the most popular had it starred anyone other than Peter Cushing, with the obvious exception of Christopher Lee? I doubt it.
To be honest I enjoy and am more familiar with science fiction than horror. So I am judging them on their own merits, not on how they compare with a film I'm probably unfamiliar with. Certainly, The Two Faces Of Evil and The House That Bled To Death have more gore, which I don't particularly want to see. Carpathian Eagle has more sex, couldn't possibly comment.
To encapsulate in a word why I love GOTA: style. It's at least as fast-paced as any episode and has a number of attractive settings, antique shops, nice houses, and an auction room. This may sound snobbish but it's nicer to look at than a pet shop or dilapidated house. Excellent acting, the good versus evil confrontation when Charles Randolph (John Carson) tries to hypnotize Michael Roberts (Ray Lonnen) is, for my money, the most riveting five minutes in the entire series. Not quite up there with James Mason and Robert Ryan in Caught (1949) but pretty damn good. And Caroline Langrishe is in it. I rest my case.
Groupthink seems to play a part in popularity ratings, favoured episodes often feature a well loved actor or a scene that becomes famous. Would The Silent Scream be the most popular had it starred anyone other than Peter Cushing, with the obvious exception of Christopher Lee? I doubt it.
In a word, lacklustre
Leofwine_draca2 August 2015
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.
Choronzon!
Stevieboy66610 June 2023
"Guardian of the Abyss" was episode 10 of the wonderful TV series "Hammer House of Horror", first aired in 1980. I was a pre-teenager at the time but my parents allowed me to stay up and watch them, this played a huge part in forming my lifelong love of all things horror. This episode concerns a coven of black magicians who want a mysterious mirror (actually an Elizabethan scrying mirror that once belonged to real occultist John Dee) that has been acquired by a couple of antique dealers. The demon that is trying to be summoned is called Choronzon, guardian of the Abyss, both Dee and later on Aleister Crowley both attempted to conjure it, I have some knowledge of the occult and it is good that the writers did their research on the topic rather than just make up a load of fictional mumbo jumbo. The cult leader is excellently played by John Carson and his character reminded me of the black magicians in both Night of the Demon (1957) and The Devil Rides Out (1968). The mesmerising Rosalyn Landor is stunning as an escaped member of the cult and Paul Darrow is very creepy as a rival antique dealer/cult member. Good use is made of the shooting locations and there are some cool demonic special effects at the end.
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