And the Wall Came Tumbling Down

"And the wall came tumbling down" is not a particularly great short film, but I'm already very glad it at least contains action and spectacle all throughout its running time. In every installment of the "Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense" installment that I watched thus far; this wasn't the case. This one has a good variety, because it takes place in both medieval times as well as in present day, and there are people getting killed during the film, whereas in other ones there was only a non-stop building up towards the climax.

Former Playboy girl Barbi Benton stars as a historic researcher. She's horribly miscast, of course, but who cares because she's always a joy to behold. The premise is also fantastic, as it deals with the demolishing of an ancient 300-year-old church in the middle of London city. When construction workers start tearing the place down, evil forces are unleashed and a young Londoner relives horrific events that took place in 1643, when a cult of devil-worshipers confiscated the church.

One of my fellow reviewers here said it best when he described "And the Wall Came Tumbling Down" as a crossover between "Witchfinder General" and "The Church". Two great horror titles this short film certainly cannot live up to, but the subject matter is very reminiscent. Far from great, but enjoyable. And it seems to become a tradition in "Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense" that the very last shot of every episode is brilliant.

PS: should you also be breaking your head over where you know the grandmother from, she's the hag with the little doggies in "A Fish Called Wanda".

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.

I was truly amazed by this pure British horror yarn, a very spooky flick that doesn't surprise me. I knew this series provided such gems. This one is among the best. It deserves to be watched several times, because many details are important to fully appreciate this story and may be easily missed if you don't watch it closely enough. The atmosphere is the same as the one you often find in those British horror stories, with always a large spice of gothic element. Just a shame that this tv series was not more widely shown.

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.