The Hellfire Club (film)

The Hellfire Club is a 1961 film inspired by the historical Hellfire Club, Sir Francis Dashwood's infamous 'gentlemen's' society of the 18th century. It starred Keith Michell and featured Peter Cushing in a cameo as enigmatic attorney Mr Merryweather.

According to the film, the club was famed for its depravity, debauchery, and devil worship. Although not a Hammer Films production, there are visual similarities. The script was co-written by Jimmy Sangster, and co-stars Hammer regulars Miles Malleson and Francis Matthews.

Cast

 * Keith Michell as Jason
 * Adrienne Corri as Isobel
 * Peter Cushing as Merryweather
 * Peter Arne as Thomas
 * Kai Fischer as Yvonne
 * David Lodge as Timothy
 * Bill Owen as Martin
 * Miles Malleson as Judge
 * Martin Stephens as Jason as a Boy
 * Andrew Faulds as Lord Netherden
 * Jean Lodge as Lady Netherden
 * Francis Matthews as Sir Hugh Manning
 * Desmond Walter-Ellis as Lord Chorley
 * Denis Shaw as Sir Richard
 * Tutte Lemkow as Higgins

Reception
Glenn Erickson claims that the film did good box-office when released in America, on the back of publicity (such as a Playboy photo-spread) that suggested more nudity and adult content than actually appeared in any U.S. prints.

In a 2012 review, Time Out calls the film "Surprisingly light on debauchery and occasionally perhaps too jocular for its own good" but praises Michell's performance.