Eurohorror fiends hold director Michael Armstrong’s 1970 medieval torture opus MARK OF THE DEVIL in the highest of regards and rightfully so. The atmospheric, lush capitalization on Michael Reeve’s WITCHFINDER GENERAL not only boasts a magnificent cast in Herbert Lom, Reggie Nalder and Udo Kier, but a sweeping score (by Michael Holm, also employed in Jason Eisener’s HOBO WITH A  SHOTGUN) surprising emotional heft and wincing levels of grim violence. Yes, this is the film that was marketed with a patron sensitive vomit bag....

Since that auspicious picture, Armstrong has dabbled freely in the genre, writing MARK OF THE DEVIL II, Pete Walker’s HOUSE OF THE LONG SHADOWS, writing and co-directing the undervalued SCREAMTIME and even doctoring the script of Tobe Hooper’s LIFEFORCE. Now, forty years after his last stint behind the lens Armstrong has finally been lured out of retirement by Paper Dragon Productions to direct a new film, a UK creeper called ORPHANAGE.

“I agreed to be exhumed from retirement because I felt I could trust Paper Dragon Productions to offer me the creative freedom I need to realize a story I’ve wanted to bring to the screen for more than 30 years,” Armstrong said.  “I very much look forward to working with them.”

Described as a sociological suspense shocker, a complete veil of secrecy has now been thrown around the project as it heads into immediate development. Written and directed by Michael Armstrong, ORPHANAGE will be produced by Paul Horsfield and Jonathan Jones, with Neil Jackson and Kevin James executive producing for Paper Dragon Productions.

Stay tuned to FANGORIA for more details as this project develops.

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