The Body Beneath (1970) Synopsis

The Fords have always been a very strong clan, that is, until the last century when the Ford bloodline began dissipating due to intermarriage. Consequently, the Reverend Alexander Algernon Ford (Gavin Reed) and his mute wife Alicia (Susan Heard), along with three green-faced nameless vampire women, have risen from Highgate Cemetery and taken up residence at Carfax Abbey where they claim to have plans to re-open All Soul's Church. Actually, their plans go a bit deeper than that. It is the Reverend's mission to strengthen the Ford line by using young Susan Ford (Jackie Skarvellis) as a breeder, thereby fortifying the blood on which the Highgate vampires feed and procreate.But first the Reverend has to abduct Susan, which he does by drugging her sherry when she drops in to ask him to marry her and her fiance Paul Donati (Richmond Ross), the father of her unborn child.The next day, when Paul comes snooping around Carfax Abbey, looking for Susan, he notices that the Reverend casts no reflection in a mirror and learns from the maid Jessie (Felicity Sentance) that Susan might be being held captive in a second floor bedroom. When he tries to rescue her, however, Paul is clubbed in the back of the head by the Reverend, and Jessie's eyes are put out by two knitting needles wielded by Alicia Ford.As yet another Ford, this one the fashion designer Candace (Emma Jones), is being prepared for a blood transfusion (she's the donor), Paul manages to escape his bonds and makes his way into Susan's room. It's all a trick, though, as the Reverend and his hunchbacked assistant Spool (Berwick Kaler) are watching, and they lock the door behind him, trapping him and Susan in the room together until they can decide what to do with them.Tonight is the Conference, whereby the Reverend will announce the plans for the future of the Highgate Vampires. Considering the weakness of the Ford bloodlines and the fact that it is difficult to roam the streets of London after 11PM without being stopped by the police, he orders all vampires to relocate to Forest Lawn Cemetery in California. A chartered boat is scheduled to leave at 2:00 AM. He also orders the elimination of Paul Donati, Candace and Susan Ford, and releases Spool into the hands of the vampires to do what they please.Susan and Paul are left for dead. However, the Reverend made one mistake by drinking some of Susan's blood. She is now a vampire, and she has made a vampire of Paul. Together, they now have all of Highgate Cemetery to themselves.

The Fords have always been a very strong clan, that is, until the last century when the Ford bloodline began dissipating due to intermarriage. Consequently, the Reverend Alexander Algernon Ford (Gavin Reed) and his mute wife Alicia (Susan Heard), along with three green-faced nameless vampire women, have risen from Highgate Cemetery and taken up residence at Carfax Abbey where they claim to have plans to re-open All Soul's Church. Actually, their plans go a bit deeper than that. It is the Reverend's mission to strengthen the Ford line by using young Susan Ford (Jackie Skarvellis) as a breeder, thereby fortifying the blood on which the Highgate vampires feed and procreate.But first the Reverend has to abduct Susan, which he does by drugging her sherry when she drops in to ask him to marry her and her fiance Paul Donati (Richmond Ross), the father of her unborn child.The next day, when Paul comes snooping around Carfax Abbey, looking for Susan, he notices that the Reverend casts no reflection in a mirror and learns from the maid Jessie (Felicity Sentance) that Susan might be being held captive in a second floor bedroom. When he tries to rescue her, however, Paul is clubbed in the back of the head by the Reverend, and Jessie's eyes are put out by two knitting needles wielded by Alicia Ford.As yet another Ford, this one the fashion designer Candace (Emma Jones), is being prepared for a blood transfusion (she's the donor), Paul manages to escape his bonds and makes his way into Susan's room. It's all a trick, though, as the Reverend and his hunchbacked assistant Spool (Berwick Kaler) are watching, and they lock the door behind him, trapping him and Susan in the room together until they can decide what to do with them.Tonight is the Conference, whereby the Reverend will announce the plans for the future of the Highgate Vampires. Considering the weakness of the Ford bloodlines and the fact that it is difficult to roam the streets of London after 11PM without being stopped by the police, he orders all vampires to relocate to Forest Lawn Cemetery in California. A chartered boat is scheduled to leave at 2:00 AM. He also orders the elimination of Paul Donati, Candace and Susan Ford, and releases Spool into the hands of the vampires to do what they please.Susan and Paul are left for dead. However, the Reverend made one mistake by drinking some of Susan's blood. She is now a vampire, and she has made a vampire of Paul. Together, they now have all of Highgate Cemetery to themselves.

Published Time: 2020-07-24 04:54:44