by Marco Tremble
This film was the first of Hammer’s two Dennis Wheatley adaptations and also has another important first for a Hammer movie. It is the first and only Hammer where regular leading man Christopher Lee plays the hero in the form of the Duc de Richleau, ex-world war one fighter pilot and and expert on the occult. In this foray into the darkness Mr. Lee is accompanied by another British leading man more known for his singing voice than his horror roles, Leon Greene better known to fans of “Comedy Tonight” as Miles Gloriosus from A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum. As well as a very young Patrick Mower and Paul Eddington who is better known for his roles in The Good Life and Yes Minister on TV.
The script is adapted for this black magic romp by Richard Matheson, better known for his novels “I Am Legend” and “A Stir of Echoes” as well as his work scripting Roger Corman’s Edgar Allen Poe adaptations starring horror stalwart Vincent Price and the film itself is directed by Hammer veteran Terence Fisher who is responsible for some of their more interesting vampire romps (notably the original Dracula). The movie is in itself nothing more than the story of darkness versus light, good against evil, but not in the usual Hammer vein as there are no vampires in sight, no Ingrid Pitt with her heaving cleavage (more’s the pity!!). This is the primeval battle of Satan against God, with Satan being represented by the ever suave Charles Gray in wonderful charming, yet menacing form as Mocata and the aforementioned Christopher Lee as his nemesis played with gusto and vigor.
Devil is solidly filmed and well acted as well as being steered on course by Matheson’s script and Fisher’s direction and is only ever truly let down by the shoddy 60’s special effects that reminds you of the worst of the Star Trek episodes. As I have mentioned, for the most part the cast are as good as it gets for the late 60’s with only possibly Patrick Mower letting the side down slightly, but we can forgive him when his character remains rather undeveloped. And if the story itself never truly moves at break neck speed, neither does it plod along, which makes this Hammer classic one of the more engaging ones from their stable along with their original Dracula and Brides of Dracula. It also never treats the viewer as an idiot as some of the so called modern horror films do relying on shocks and gore to scare, but instead makes some attempt to bring some intellectuality to it with out making it ridiculous.
In essence, this is a Hammer gem to be cherished along with some of their earlier efforts; intelligent, well filmed and well lead by messieurs Lee, Greene and Gray! But if you’re expecting blondes and breasts this is the wrong Hammer for you. You’d be better off with Lust for a Vampire or Twins of Evil which. let’s face it. while being entertaining, are inferior.
****
I was never much interested in the Hammer features, but Marco makes this one intriguing.
A very interesting and detailed review of the Hammer Horror flick!….”The Devil Ride Out”….and after reading Marco Tremble, review I plan to seek this film out to watch for the first time!
Because I am a fan of Hammer’s Horror Flicks and during this month of “fright” ….I recently purchased “The Hammer: Icon Horror Collection: Which includes these four titles
“Curse of the Mummy Tomb” (My favorite of the4)
“The Gorgon”
“Scream of Fear”
and “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll.”
dcd 😉
It’s thrilling to see that both Tony and Dark City Dame will seek this out, but to be honest, I think this is the onlt Hammer horror film I haven’t seen myself either. This is a wonderful debut for Marco Tremble at WitD. (Marco lives near Allan in Kendal in the UK, and is a member of our e mail network for over two years now. He is the consumate horror fan, and resident Hammer expert, and I applaud him on his outstanding work here.
Richard Matheson wrote classic episodes of “The Outer Limits,” “The Twilight Zone” and “Star Trek”, while Terrence Fisher is the most celebrated of the Hammer directors.
Wonderful stuff.
…….Great review, Mr. Tremble. This is a terrific Hammer movie……….
A great Christopher Lee performance here and a comprehensive review by Marco Tremble, who is obviously a major Hammer Studio afficianado.
Marco, I think “Vampire Circus” may fit the bill better than the two you mention at the end of your review. I am sorry to say I don’t remember this film, but I do love most of the Hammer horror films, including my own favorite “The Curse of Frankenstein.” The Dracula film is top-notch too. Very good review on this Terrence Fischer film.
The detail is this film was outstanding, and the direction focused. The archetypal characters are well-drawn and the central conflict was more ‘secular’ than spiritual. It’s right vs. wrong, a chiche, but the movie is so well-crafted. It’s one of the better Hammer films, I’ll agree, but not quite the best. Great review by Marco Tremble.
Thank you to all of you!
As you have gathered I am new to this and your comments are encouraging.
Matheson is a great writer, and Christopher Lee is a screen legend. Without even looking at the other aspects of this ‘horror’ film, just the combination of those two would insure success. But this must be looked on as one of the can’t-miss Hammers. It’s a top-rank witchcraft entry. A solid review by Mr. Tremble.
I can’t remember if I saw this, but I probably did as the particulars from the review sound familiar. I will look forward to renting this title on netflix.