The Leech (1956 film)

The Leech is a 1956 British horror film directed by John Gilling. It stars Coleen Gray, Philip Friend, and Michael Balfour.

The film centers around a young woman, Sheila (played by Coleen Gray), who inherits a remote family estate in the English countryside. Upon arriving, she discovers a dark secret involving her ancestors and a monstrous, leech-like creature that demands a human sacrifice to survive. The local villagers are steeped in superstition and fear, and Sheila must unravel the mystery to save herself and the community from the creature's deadly influence.

The film is considered a low-budget horror production, characteristic of the era. While not widely known or critically acclaimed, it represents a typical example of 1950s British horror cinema. Its themes involve family curses, isolated settings, and creature features, appealing to fans of classic horror tropes.