In 1745 Arkham, a wealthy New Englander is burned as a sorcerer. Fast forward to 1855 and the dead man's great grandson arrives with his new bride to take charge of the family estate. But they soon find themselves shunned by a community who believe they are living under a curse. As the young couple take up residence, the spirit of the sorcerer takes possession of the young man in a bid to finish what he started ­ the creation of a mutant race to take over the world.

A personal favourite, but panned by most. Vincent, as always, is superb playing two characters - the mild, goodie-goodie Charles Dexter Ward and evil personified (but he knows not what he does) Joseph Curwen in this chilling tale of possession. It was also the first film to address the Lovecraftian mythology and there are moments when you think the film is about to go over the top (ie: the rape of Debra Paget), but in the end just plays it safe. Much better though than The Dunwich Horror or the crass From Beyond.

What was the terrifying thing in the PIT that wanted women?