Filmmaker Claims To Have Discovered Exact Location Of The Holy Grail

A new British horror film premiering at the Raindance Film Festival later this month doesn't just promise scares and mystery - it comes with a bold historical claim. The filmmaker behind 'The Last Grail Hunter' says the story is rooted in his own real-life belief that he's found the actual resting place of the Holy Grail, and it's somewhere near St Albans.

The film is the work of Hertfordshire-based director Mark Christopher Lee and stars EastEnders actor John Altman, best known for playing "Nasty Nick." It will have its world premiere on 19 June at the independent film festival in London.

But what sets this movie apart isn't just its dark, esoteric tone - it's Lee's claim that his fictional story is inspired by genuine research that points to the Grail being hidden in Hertfordshire.

"I've actually been studying grail legends for years," Lee explained. "And I believe I've found evidence linking the Holy Grail's journey to England with Joseph of Arimathea, who was entrusted with Christ's burial and, in legend, given the grail in a vision."

According to Lee, his theory breaks away from more familiar versions of Grail mythology. He suggests the sacred relic was recovered by the Knights Templar during the Crusades on Temple Mount, smuggled to England, and hidden in places associated with the Templars, such as Royston Cave and the network of tunnels beneath Hertford.

Eventually, he believes the Grail ended up in the hands of Sir Francis Bacon - a key figure in the Rosicrucian secret society, a known Freemason, and the Baron of Verulamium, the Roman name for St Albans. "Bacon was deeply involved in esoteric thought," Lee says. "He's buried in St Michael's Church in St Albans - and unusually, the church features a Star of David in its windows, which is a symbol tied to the Rosicrucians."

Lee claims that his research led him to the site of what he believes is a forgotten Templar grave, which he thinks could mark the Grail's hiding place. "I'm keeping the exact location secret for now until I get permission to excavate," he adds.

The film itself follows a cynical academic - who once dismissed the legend of the Grail entirely - as he's drawn into one last desperate hunt for the relic he spent his life trying to ignore. Set in moody, symbol-laden locations around London and St Albans, 'The Last Grail Hunter' mixes historical mystery with psychological horror and occult themes.

As well as drawing from Lee's own theories, the film taps into popular conspiracy ideas around the Templars, secret societies, and ancient relics - but it wraps them in an atmospheric and unsettling narrative. The movie is being described as a blend of horror, mysticism and historical thriller.

John Altman, who leads the cast, has already been nominated for Best Performance in a UK Feature at the festival.

The film will premiere at Raindance on 19 June and is produced by Nub TV.