Expert: Mel - 7/25/2011

Question
tI believe I saw this thriller in the late 60's but it could well have been the first half of the 70's.  The owner of a vineyard returns to the chateau with his new American (I think) bride.  She is thrilled at all the history of the place even if she is a little unsettled by some of the people who work there.  The property has been in the owner's family for many generations, and many generations of the same families have worked there.  Eventually, it becomes clear that this year is going to be a terrible season, and something must be done.  The "something" being done is that the owner has come home to sacrifice himself to save the farm -- literally, as one of the workers kills him with a crossbow in some kind of ceremony, and the spilled blood is expected to restore the fertility of the land.  

And no, it's not Blood and Wine with Jack Nicholson (1996) :-)

Answer
Hello Steve,

No, it's definitely not "Blood And Wine":0) What it is is "Eye Of The Devil" from 1966, which starred David Niven, Deborah Kerr and Sharon Tate. Have a look at the following sites:


http://366weirdmovies.com/capsule-eye-of-the-devil-1966

http://meanderingsofscott.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/eye-of-the-devil-1966/


Glad to be of help. Cheers.......Mel.