And the Wall Came Tumbling Down

Billed as a comeback for Peter Wyngarde. He did a Doctor Who episode earlier that year. The press decided to be rather sniffy about this Hammer story.

And the Wall Came Tumbling Down has an atmospheric beginning. In 1649 a young artist called Martin admits to his sins of partaking in witchcraft. He blurts out the names of witches who are burned at the stake.

Martin is holed inside the alcove of the church by his tormentor and head of the coven, Daniel Haswell (Peter Wyngarde.)

In the present day the church in London is about to be demolished. Much to the consternation of the site manager Peter Whiteway (Gareth Hunt) there are a series of incidents. He is told by American Caroline Trent (Barbi Benton) that some paranormal energy is trying to escape.

A young man called Alan wanted to see the church one more time before it is demolished. Only to be wanted for his girlfriend's death. He looks a lot like Martin.

Then there is the case of General Haswell who also has an interest in the church. He's a big believer in nuclear armageddon.

This is a pretty flawed story up to a point where it does not make sense and goes off the rails. I don't know how Caroline kept a straight face as she explains to the police what could had caused the deaths.

"This church is turning into a real jinx!" A workman starts drilling through an internal brick wall inside an old London church that is due to be demolished. Inside he sees two human skeletons and is then killed by a hose pipe, his death accompanied by creepy "Omen" type music. Good start! Next we are transported back in time to 1649, on a stormy night a man begs forgiveness from a clergy man for desecrating the same church in the name of Satan. Three of his coven are burnt alive at the stake, he is spared this but an even worse fate awaits him, he is bricked up alive along with the head of the coven. Back in the present day his ancestor Alan has a powerful connection with the church, more mysterious deaths occur and the Devil's work on Earth seems certain. Former Playboy model Barbi Benton plays the token American, she keeps her clothes on for this part but doesn't give a very good performance. Rest of the cast are alright though. This entry in the TV series "Hammer House of Mystery & Suspense" is, I believe, the only one to be of occult horror, and it is a pretty enjoyable watch.

The Hammer films were horror classics of the 1960s. Unlike modern films they relied more on atmosphere than special effects - not because that was beyond their makers resources - but because that was what made a good horror film. "And the Wall Came Tumbling Down" is a late addition to the corpus of Hammer works (no pun intended).

Though it perhaps suffers from the limitations of a TV production, this film deserves to be seen. From the initial breaking down of a wall in a church due to be demolished, to the final appallingly chilling climax, the film positively reeks with atmosphere.

If you like to be frightened, or have fond memories of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee and the original Hammer films, this one is for you.

This is a nice atmospheric horror in the Hammer tradition. The denouemont is slightly shocking, and the best moments are the carefully crafted details, including the coiling power cable in the first few minutes.

One of the best elements in the characterisation, which is noticeably stronger than in the mindless "slasher" films which are so much in fashion.

Well worth watching, but not by the nervous (unless accompanied by a more robust individual).

The plot is slightly less "realistic" than is traditional for Hammer horrors, but it is internally consistent, however far-fetched it may seem.

This episode, unlike almost all the others, bases its entirety on paranormal phenomena, and more particularly on a place that is its center. Really very valid episode that brings a breath of fresh air to the series that was becoming all the same, thanks to very nice finds, obviously it has its problems as first of all the unrealism of what happens that for the canons of the series is perhaps slightly too much. Then it also has several plot problems and an ending that is too hasty and forced, it seems in fact that everything culminates somehow well but too hastily and botched to be really done right.

First viewing: November 1984 / Second viewing: October 2003

While this did not inspire the Style Council hit of the following year, "Walls Come Tumbling Down", this "Hammer House Of Mystery And Suspense" episode nevertheless ended the series on a high note. Well it was the last one broadcast on Irish TV back in 1984 anyway.

A stirring performance from Gareth "Maxwell House" Hunt provides a key ingredient in our enjoyment of this episode. With credible flashbacks to "witching times" and a relatively spooky atmosphere in the old church, "And The Wall Came Tumbling Down" is a chastening tale of love, betrayal and sacrifice for a man's beliefs. To it I bestow 7/10