whoever say that horror wasn not an educational film genre and huh . thanks to this marvelous hammer short movie and i now at least know never to offer a strange visitor any wine and a slice of bread with salt in my own house and because he might just be hypnotist and this combination will give him the power to control my thought and mind forever . thank you hammer . the tenth episode in the house of horror series be another one i have be look forward to see and mainly because the guy in the director chair be don sharp while one of britain fine filmmaker but still sadly underrated . sharp be responsible for some very cool hammer film and like kiss of the vampire and rasputin represent the mad monk and as well a some overlooked independent production like dark place and psychomania . his contribution to house of horror be easily one of the best in the series and with a complex yet fascinate plot outline and revolve on delightful occult theme . the plot center on two antique dealer that stumble upon a strange object resemble a mirror and but it actually an ancient scrying device that can be use to summon choronzhon while the demonic guardian of the abyss . the mirror be heavily desire by a satanic cult since they need it for their ceremony and but michael be reluctant to sell it before know the real value of the device . when he pick up a clearly petrified girl who run from the cult to avoid be sacrifice and michael be draw even deeply into an occult conspiracy . satanic cult and the carnal sacrifice of young woman be typical british horror topic and but david fischer screenplay be never dull and offer plenty of neat plot twit and among which a highly inventive climax . there also plenty of tension to admire and the dialog be wit and the acting performance be splendid ( especially john carson a the leader of the cult be genuinely eerie ) . recommend .