Ballad of Tam-Lin, The

aka: The Devil's Widow
UK 1970, 106 minutes
Dir. Roddy McDowall
English
Genres: Horror

Feat. Ava Gardner, Ian McShane, Cyril Cusack, Stephanie Beacham, Richard Wattis, Joanna Lumley

Aroview: The only film that prolific acting great Roddy McDowall ever directed is this British folk horror based on the Celtic legend Tam Lin.

Legendary Hollywood goddess Ava Gardner plays a wealthy and sophisticated seductress presiding over the dawn-to-dusk revelry at her country estate. Amidst the partying, an impulsive young man (Ian McShane, long before he was Al Swearengen in DEADWOOD) begins to suspect that being the life of her party could have murderous consequences.

Marred by a troubled production history and released under multiple names, this is a beguiling 70's update of European folklore source material. Features plenty of interesting psychedelic touches, not least of which is the score by acclaimed composer Stanley Myers and British folk-jazz band Pentangle.

Member Reviews

Average rating (Exceptional). Showing 1-2 of 2 member reviews.

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5 stars (Exceptional) A forgotten gem from the past. Those who liked the Wicker Man should like this though the story is not similar. An interesting tale from days of yore transferred to the swinging sixties. An experience! ~Yaqui
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4 stars (Very Good) For film buffs, this is an interesting film, very 60's vibe with the dialogue and fashions, and a story that is part satire and part horror. Roddy McDowall never directed again after the studio butchered his film on release. ~Hans