Born in 1939, Maurice Colbourne found his footing in British television and stage, often portraying villains. His role in the 1970 horror film Cry of the Banshee highlights his knack for embodying sinister characters. Colbourne's career spanned various genres, but his work in cult cinema, particularly as a hard man, resonated with audiences. His later success in BBC dramas and sci-fi series solidified his status, but it is his chilling performance in Cry of the Banshee that remains a standout in his filmography.
Cry of the Banshee
In seventeenth century England Lord Whitman wages unending war on what he sees as the ever-present scourge of witchcraft, and many local villagers have suffered at his hands. But one victim uses her occult powers to curse his family, enlisting unknowing help from one of the household. Lord Whitman rules his estate through fear, torture, and religious persecution until his attack on a local coven brings supernatural vengeance to his door. As death closes around the household, his authority proves useless against the force hunting his family. In 1500s England, a cruel witch-hunting magistrate, who often tortures innocent villagers for his entertainment, runs afoul of a witch who conjures a banshee to kill the magistrate and his family.
