CAPTAIN CLEGG (NIGHT CREATURES)

UK, 1962, 82 minutes, Colour.
Peter Cushing, Patrick Allen, Michael Ripper, Oliver Reed, Derek Francis, Milton Reid, Martin Benson, David Lodge.
Directed by Peter Graham Scott.

Captain Clegg is an 18th century adventure - based on the popular and many times filmed story of Dr Syn. Peter Cushing portrays Captain Clegg, a ruthless pirate who has retired to an English village and helps the villagers survive by smuggling. The police arrive, there is a cover-up, some violence - and the eventual exposing of Captain Clegg. The period is re-created interestingly, there are some good performances especially by Michael Ripper. Oliver Reed appears in an early supporting role. The film is a production of Hammer Studios who specialised in horror films in the '50s and '60s. Peter Cushing was one of their main stars.

1. An enjoyable period action adventure? British background? The 19th century? Pirates.

2. The location photography? The re-creation of period? The English village in the 18th century? The special effects - especially for the night creatures? Musical score?

3. The title and the focus on Captain Clegg? His reputation, pirate, cruel, the treatment of the mulatto, the death of his wife, his daughter? His hanging? The audience realising that Captain Clegg was Dr Blyss? His preaching in the town? Reaction against the police? The secret passages in the town, the smuggling, the avoidance of tax, Dr. Blyss supporting the village? The village being in on the plan except the Squire)? His skill in avoiding the police, his smooth talking and courtesy? Captain Collier's suspicion after the false raid? Dr Blyss and his treatment of Harry, his love for his daughter Imogene, his arranging the marriage? The discovery of the truth? The performing of the marriage? The final fight and his death? The struggle with the mulatto who recognised him? An evil character? A good character?

4. The portrait of the town, the 18th century village, the close way of life? The initial impact with people in the church? The arrival of the police, the secret passages, Mr Hipps and the cover-up? The concealing of the alcohol? The plans for diverting the police, sending them on a wild goose chase? The collaboration of the townspeople including Harry, the Scarecrow and his being shot? The confrontation with the police, the mulatto revealing the truth, the confrontation in the church?

5. Harry as the son of the Squire, the Squire as good-humoured but not knowing what went on, his pomposity? Harry and his love for Imogene? His knowing who she was? His collaboration with Dr Blyss, being the Scarecrow, his wound, Captain Collier taking him, the escape, the happy ending?

6. The characters of the village: Mr Nippa and his continued calm good humour, smooth talking? Mr Rash and his owning the inn? his wanting Imogene, jealousy of Harry? Betrayal? Death? The man sent as the decoy for the police, his declaration that he had seen the night creatures, torture? The various members of the community and the execution of the plans?

7. Captain Collier and the police, the search for Captain Clegg, their resolute attitudes, the wild goose chase in the night, the experience of the night creatures? The mulatto and his being used to discover Captain Clegg, the digging up of the coffin, the realisation of the truth?

8. Imogene and her working at the inn, regard for Dr Blyss, her being his daughter, the love for Harry, the revelation of the truth, the marriage?

9. The special effects for the night creatures and the deceiving of the police?

10. Popular storytelling, confrontations of good and evil, vengeance?