

Esoterica collector Dr Maitland buys an unusual skull from his ordinary source; the artifact is what remains of the Marquis De Sade. Much too soon, Maitland discovers that the skull is turning him into a frenzied killer.
Acting
Cushing's unhinged possession scenes are deliciously over-the-top
Direction
Freddie Francis turns every skull close-up into pure psychedelic nightmare
Cinematography
Gorgeous Hammer-style shadows that ooze Victorian menace

Director
Freddie Francis
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The floating skull effect was achieved with a concealed wire and multiple takes—Freddie Francis reportedly operated the camera himself for those shots.
Released during Hammer Horror's peak, it capitalized on 1960s occult panic while sneaking de Sade's legacy past British censors through supernatural metaphor.