The Last Sacrifice

The Cotswolds in 1945 was the scene of the murder of Charles Walton. So unusual in its viscousness, that the most celebrated copper of the day ‘Fabian of the Yard’ was called in to investigate.

What he found there has since led to tales of black magic, witchcraft and an influence on folk horror. Though the latter is arguably not the main issue discussed in Rupert Russell’s documentary.
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With contributions from academics, journalists and writers Russell builds up a picture of the village of Lower Quinton. A small, closed place that doesn’t tolerate strangers very well and closes up under scrutiny. Little surprise that the bizarre circumstances inspired The Wicker Man.

From there the documentary skilfully blends in the superstition surrounding paganism, witches, and their covens. Interviews with practising witches present and past shed some light on their activities. Some achieved something of a celebrity status during the 70’s to the extent that they warranted TV documentaries.

Probably more interesting and getting closer to what the core of Russell’s documentary is heading are the archive interviews with local people and their fears of witches and what they are up to. Here Fabian’s notes of the case are invaluable building a picture of intolerance and possibly a village wide cover up.

This all bolstered with plenty of clips from long gone BBC and ITV documentaries and cult TV plays such as Robin Redbreast and Penders Fen. It's all very interesting in an unconvincing way, as the film spreads out to the local standing stones, Meon Hill and the legend of the black dog.

Whether this leads to a breakthrough in what appears to be a long cold case or the influence or not on weird literature and film, is almost secondary to what this says about elements of the English character and national identity, which is the more disturbing element of the documentary.

With the silence of the locals and the superstitions that still hold strong, the picture is of a pastoral postcard façade covering a very dark character, which treats outsiders with suspicion. The lasting impression is of an island not of lovable eccentrics but quite mean and intolerant.

The Last Sacrifice had its UK premiere at Glasgow FrightFest 2025.