Mark of the Devil

POSITIVELY THE MOST HORRIFYING FILM EVER MADE Austria, 1700. Albino (REGGIE NALDER) is a witchfinder who terrorises the countryside with his cruel religious persecutions. He fears his lucrative reign is ended with the arrival of a young Baron, Christian (UDO KIER) and Jeff Wilkins (HERBERT FLUX), disciple and executioner to the religious fanatic, Count Cumberland. In a drunken rage, Albino attacks Vanessa (OLIVERA VUCO), a fiery peasant girl, accusing her of witchcraft. Christian intervenes and orders Albino to be flogged in public. Christian is obviously attracted to Vanessa, but his passion cools with the arrival of Cumberland (HERBERT LOM). Albino seeking vengeance, seizes Vanessa and brings her before Cumberland, who throws her into prison to await trial. Albino, still intent on regaining his former power, hits on Cumberland's weakness - he it impotent. Enraged, Cumberland kills Albino in front of Christian who is finally disillusioned. Christian frees Vanessa, who arouses the townspeople to rebellion, but he is seized and killed as a traitor by the angry mob. That night Vanessa sits alone with his body, the innocent victim of a cruel and superstitious age.