Il trono di fuoco (1970)

Country of Origin: UK / Italy / Spain / West Germany
Year of Production: 1970
Running Times: 81m 34s (UK - theatrical)      82 mins (West Germany)     89 mins 19 sec (UK - video)      96 mins (Spain)     97 mins (Argentina)
Format: colour     35mm      CinemaScope     Techniscope
Ratio: 2.35:1
Sound: mono

PRODUCTION
Production Companies: Fénix, Cooperativa Cinematográfica / Prodimex Film / Terra Filmkunst / Towers of London Productions
Producer: Peter Welbeck (real name: Harry Alan Towers)

SCRIPT
Script: Anthony Scott Veitch
Story: Peter Welbeck

DIRECTION
Director: Jess Franco (real name: Jesus Franco)
Assistant Director: John Thompson

PHOTOGRAPHY
Lighting Cameraman: Manuel Merino

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editor: Derek Parsons

MUSIC
Music: Bruno Nicolai

SOUND
Dubbing Editor: Joyce Oxley

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Art Director: George O´Brown (real name: Jack Taylor)

CAST
Christopher Lee (Lord George Jeffreys)
Leo Genn (Earl of Wessex)
Maria Schell (Mother Rosa)
Maria Rohm (Mary Gray)
Margaret Lee (Alicia Gray)
Hans Hass Jr (Harry Selton)
Howard Vernon (Jack Ketch)
Diana Lorys (Sally Gaunt)
José María Prada (Palafox)
Pietro Martellanza (Barnaby)
José María Blanco (Steven Truro)
John Thompson (Jonathan Dickens)
Vicente Roca (Chief Prosecutor)
Werner Abrolat (soldier)
Giuli Carr
Milo Quesada (Satchel)

PLOT SUMMARY

In 1685 England, the ruthless Lord Chief Justice George Jeffreys mercilessly persucutes enemies of the state by accusing them of witchcraft. One of the rebels, Harry Selton, the son of Earl of Wessex, is almost killed in the massacre that ensues when the rebels arrive back in England from Holland, but flees with his lover Mary, whose sister has already been burnt for witchcraft. When they're caught, Mary must take drastic action to save Selton from a vengeful Jeffreys.

UK
Theatrical Distributor: Doverton Films
Video Distributor: Salvation Films (SAL8082); Cinema Club (CC 8082)
DVD Distributor: Salvatian / Bigben Interactive (PDVD1474)

USA
Theatrical Distributor: American International Pictures; Arce Films
Video Distributor: GEE Video

Argentina
Rating: 16

UK
Rating: 18

USA
Rating: PG

1970
February
4: Italy - passed by the ratings board
5: Italy - theatrical release

June
5: West Germany - theatrical release

1971
May
24: Spain - theatrical release

1974
May
28: UK - rated AA by the BBFC (for theatrical release, uncut)

1999
February
25: UK - rated 18 by the BBFC (for video release, uncut)

June
23: UK - video trailer rated 18 by the BBFC (for video release, uncut)

September
2: UK - video trailer rated 18 by the BBFC (for video release, uncut)

2000
January
24: UK - DVD release (Salvatian / Bigben Interactive (PDVD1474))

February
29: UK - rated 18 by the BBFC (for video release, uncut)

2001
January
22: UK - video release (Salvation Films (SAL8082))

The Bloody Judge - UK title
Der Hexentöter von Blackmoor - German title
El juez sangriento - Spanish title
Night of the Blood Monster - US title
El proceso de las brujas - Spanish title
Throne of the Blood Monster - US title
Le trône de feu - French title

SEE ALSO
Akelarre (1984)
Cry of the Banshee (1970)
Witchfinder General (1967)

BOOKS

Obsession - The Films of Jesus Franco pp.68, 71
illustrated credits, review (by Lucas Balbo)

OTHER SOURCES

screen
credits

KEYWORDS

witch hunting, judges

Last Updated: 1 January, 2009