A unit of naval soldiers is dispatched by the monarchy to look into reports of illicit activity at a seaside settlement in 1792, where stories circulate about frightening “marsh phantoms.” Patrick Allen portrays the stern leader of these King’s men, while Peter Cushing takes on the role of the friendly village clergyman. “Night Creatures” (1962), initially titled “Captain Clegg,” is an infrequent Hammer film derived from the initial installment in Russell Thorndike's Doctor Syn series – "A Tale of Romney Marsh," which came out in 1915. The current title doesn’t quite fit, and neither does “Captain Clegg” for reasons I can’t put my finger on; a working title like “The Curse of Captain Clegg” would have been more appropriate. Regardless, it's an eighteenth-century costume drama filled with deceit and some amount of action, along with unsettling moments. The involvement of Oliver Reed and Yvonne Romain inevitably calls to mind “The Curse of the Werewolf” (1961), and this film shares a similar feel, though without the werewolf elements. It’s quite akin to “Witchfinder General” (1968), also known as “The Conqueror Worm,” and "Black Death" (2010) likely drew inspiration from it, particularly those enigmatic scenes set in the marshland. Reed is performing at his best, and Yvonne Romain has a more substantial part than she did in “Curse of the Werewolf.” Cushing also delivers an excellent performance as the compelling central character. The film’s length is 1 hour, 22 minutes, and filming took place in Berkshire & Buckinghamshire, England, both located just to the west of London. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB