First, let me say that the other reviewer - Paul English - should not be taken seriously. This is a long way from being "strangely compelling". And comparisons to THE WICKER MAN are an insult to the producers of that movie, which was far better than this tedious waste of celluloid.
BLACK CARRION is one of the worst episodes - if not the worst episode - of the HAMMER HOUSE OF MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE series.
The TV series in question was a combination of hits and misses. Some episodes had wonderful concepts but became bogged down in very boring 1980s drama styles, with upper middle-class characters exchanging boring dialogue with each other. Most 1980s drama in Britain was executed along these lines. On the other hand, some episodes of this TV series were genuine exercises in suspense, tension and genuine horror. Sadly, BLACK CARRION is an example of the former. Examples of the latter include IN POSSESSION (by far the best), THE CORVINI INHERITANCE and A DISTANT SCREAM.
The plot is as follows - a man searches for a rock band that was popular 20 years earlier. His investigations lead him to a strange village.
The abstract concept is actually good but there is little else here that is worth mentioning.
The plot quickly becomes bogged down in a mire of confusion and boredom. And the ending was particularly ridiculous.
The actors do well with what they are given although their talents are wasted.
Season Hubley looks gorgeous in one of the two main roles. However, she is given nothing worthy of note to do.
Leigh Lawson's character came across as incredibly bland and a long way from those of David Carradine, David McCallum and Christopher Cazenove in other episodes of the series. However, the blame should not fall on Mr. Lawson but instead on the writers of this atrocity.
Supporting actors are also wasted, particularly William Hootkins, an actor who usually played comic roles even in straight movies. He could have brought some humour to this but instead he was given if I remember correctly, one scene at the beginning. And he was forced to play the role straight!
The incredible irony of the whole exercise is that John Hough - director of this nonsense - actually directed one of the best episodes of the series - A DISTANT SCREAM. He also directed the horrific masterpiece, THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE more than a decade earlier. Where BLACK CARRION is concerned, I scratch my head wondering how Mr. Hough could have got this one so completely off the mark.
The direction is incredibly flat and uninspired. There is no suspense here. And the only mystery is how this garbage was given the green light in the first place. All I can assume is that Mr. Hough realised he was assigned to a second or more accurately third-rate production and as such his hands were tied from the beginning by the producers.
Overall, I recommend everyone who has not seen this work of celluloid torture to steer well clear. Instead, I advise everyone to watch A DISTANT SCREAM, an episode of the TV series where Mr. Hough directs on top form.