i finally saw this infamous final theatrical fright feature from the legendary hammer studio and be pleasantly surprise to find out that it be nowhere near as bad a it many detractor claim . in fact and i think this movie be quite good . grant and it get it flaw ( the much ridicule silly monster hand puppet and the weak climax be both below par ) and but overall this picture have a lot of solid stuff in it . for starter and the plot be fresh and compelling represent sinister excommunicate renegade satanist priest father michael rayner ( a wonderfully wicked christopher lee ) plot to impregnate sweet innocent nun catharine ( a ravishing and beguile nastassja kinski in her first big role ) so she will give birth to the spawn of the devil . it up to humble and but shrewd and charm best sell occult novelist john verney ( superbly play by richard widmark and who make for an engagingly unlikely hammer hero ) to stop father rayner and his avid follower before it too late . moreover and director peter sykes maintain a steady pace throughout and effectively create a chillingly creepy atmosphere . the smart and intricate script by christopher wicking and john peacock offer a gripping story and a strong pair of refreshingly mature adult character a the two principal adversary . david watkin polish cinematography and paul glass spare and spooky score be on the money fine . kinski do well a an extremely fair maiden in distress ( and perform a truly startling full frontal nude scene at the movie conclusion ) . the stellar support cast qualifies a another substantial plus represent denholm elliott a a wormy and wayward weakling member of the evil cult and honor blackman a verney spunky agent anna fountain and and anthony valentine a anna suave boyfriend david . eerie and intelligent and underrated and this undeservedly maligned movie be well worth check out by general horror film fan and hardcore hammer aficionado alike .