The Hellions
The Hellions

The Hellions

1961Movie80 minEnglish

Luke Billings (Lionel Jeffries) and his family have a problem with the new police sergeant Sam Hargis (Richard Todd) so they take over a small Transvaal town with the attention of drawing Hargis into a showdown. Hargis tries to get back up from the townsfolk who do not want to know, so is forced to lay low. As things get out of hand one of the Billings boys takes an interest in the storekeeper's wife, Priss Dobbs (Anne Aubrey). Having had enough her husband, Ernie (Jamie Uys) takes up the gun and heads down the main street alone. An act that prompts Hargis to join him. Slowly, the townsfolk turn up to back them up.

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IMDb6.0/10
Director: Lance ComfortGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A young boy named Patrick is ostracized and feared by his superstitious village in post-World War I France due to his uncanny ability to foresee death. When a traveling fair arrives, the carnival's fortune teller, Madame Moira, sees Patrick as a threat to her livelihood and plots his downfall. As strange occurrences plague the village, the villagers' fear of Patrick escalates, leading to a confrontation with potentially fatal consequences for them all.

Critical Reception

The Hellions is a lesser-known horror film from the early 1960s, often cited for its atmospheric tension and unsettling portrayal of superstition. While not a mainstream hit, it has garnered a cult following among horror enthusiasts for its unique premise and effective B-movie thrills. Critical reception at the time was mixed, with some praising its eerie mood and others finding its plot somewhat predictable.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its eerie atmosphere and chilling depiction of mob mentality.
  • Noted for its unsettling premise involving a boy with the gift of foresight.
  • Some critics found the pacing slow and the plot elements familiar to other folk horror tales.

Google audience: Audience reviews for The Hellions are scarce, but those available often highlight the film's unsettling mood and its effective use of superstition as a source of horror. Some viewers appreciate its vintage horror charm and its focus on psychological dread over gore.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in Ireland, adding to its atmospheric, pseudo-European setting despite being set in post-WWI France.

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