The Devil Rides Out is a British horror film which is based upon the 1934 novel of the same name by Dennis Wheatley. The film is directed by Hammer regular Terence Fisher. This film offered horror legend Christopher Lee a rare chance to play the hero on screen.
Whether or not you believe in the supernatural, I think that it simply cannot be denied that the Devil and Satanism are two things guaranteed to chill the blood of any sane person.
This film taps into the fear, the horror, and the revulsion that both of these things make people feel. I consider The Devil Rides Out to be one of the best horror films to ever come out of Hammer Studios.
Unlike many of Hammer's other films, this one doesn't rely on blood and shocks to be scary; instead this film is much more intent on slowly building up the tension and is much more concerned with making you feel unsettled. This film is also one guaranteed to make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.
I love the film for how creepy it is. There are many scary moments throughout the film, with the unforgettable protective circle sequence being a real standout. The sequence where the cult call up the Devil himself is also very frightening and quite unnerving to watch.
I also love the film for Christopher Lee's superb performance as the badass and energetic, Duc de Richleau. Christopher's role in this has become my favourite from amongst all his great work. His character is someone who really screams out for a sequel or film series, just like a certain Professor Quatermass received from the Hammer studio. Christopher totally makes you believe that the Duc knows all about good and evil, and that he is also able to understand, challenge, fight and defeat evil.
The role of the Duc was also one of Christopher Lee's personal favourites from amongst his films. I don't know about anyone else, but I for one would have loved to have seen the Duc and his friends fight the forces of evil again in future films or a TV series.
Christopher is an intense presence throughout the film and he makes you (and the Duc's companions in the film)feel safe and secure when the Duc is on screen.
The Duc is so cool and a real hero throughout the film. Whether he is standing up to evil and fighting it with the powers of good, or whether he is punching bad guys whenever they get in his way, one thing is for sure, the Duc knows how to handle himself and he will do whatever it takes to protect his friends and family.
The film opens in England in 1929. The suave Duc de Richleau (Christopher Lee) is very concerned about his young friend, Simon Aron (Patrick Mower). Simon has fallen in with a bad crowd and he has been persuaded by the sinister Mocata (Charles Gray) to join a Satanic cult.
With the help of his other friend, Rex (Leon Greene), the Duc races against time to save Simon. Soon this trio are being pursued by the forces of darkness.
The three friends must also fight to save the soul of the fragile Tanith (Nike Arrighi), a young woman who is also about to lose her soul to the Devil because of Mocata's influence over her.
The cast are all solid with Christopher Lee delivering the standout performance. Christopher, Patrick Mowe and Leon Greene all make you believe and feel the bond of friendship that exists between their three characters(they fought in WW1 together and have been friends ever since, and the Duc has been a father figure to Simon ever since their time fighting in the war.)
Leon does a good job of conveying his characters growing belief and acceptance of the otherworldly forces he keeps encountering. Patrick does a good job of making Simon likeable and showing his struggle against the evil he is being forced into being a part of.
Charles Gray is downright scary as the main villain of the film. Gray plays a Devil worshipper and Satanic cult leader who can bend people to his will. This man is not someone to let your guard down around.
Nike Arrighi is an actress who I was unfamiliar with before seeing her performance here. I think that she does a fantastic job of portraying the fragile and easily manipulated Tanith. This character is very vulnerable and she makes you feel quite protective towards her.
Paul Eddington and Sarah Lawson provide solid support as the Duc's niece and her husband respectively. They are two ordinary people who get caught up in utter horror. My only issue with the casting of Sarah Lawson is that she looks a bit old to be playing Christopher Lee's niece. the devil rides out
Part of the unforgettable protective circle sequence. Image source IMDb.
My favourite scenes are the following. The Duc and Rex discovering the truth about the telescope room. The Duc hypnotising Simon to wean him off the influence of Mocata. Rex chasing Tannith, only to have his windscreen become mysteriously obscured. The protective circle sequence.
A creepy film filled with many memorable moments. Who can forget the Angel of Death riding through the house? Or seeing the Devil called up in the woods? This is perfect Halloween viewing. Just don't watch it alone! Any other fans of this film? I highly recommend this film if you've never seen it.
Whether or not you believe in the supernatural, I think that it simply cannot be denied that the Devil and Satanism are two things guaranteed to chill the blood of any sane person.
This film taps into the fear, the horror, and the revulsion that both of these things make people feel. I consider The Devil Rides Out to be one of the best horror films to ever come out of Hammer Studios.
Unlike many of Hammer's other films, this one doesn't rely on blood and shocks to be scary; instead this film is much more intent on slowly building up the tension and is much more concerned with making you feel unsettled. This film is also one guaranteed to make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.
I love the film for how creepy it is. There are many scary moments throughout the film, with the unforgettable protective circle sequence being a real standout. The sequence where the cult call up the Devil himself is also very frightening and quite unnerving to watch.
I also love the film for Christopher Lee's superb performance as the badass and energetic, Duc de Richleau. Christopher's role in this has become my favourite from amongst all his great work. His character is someone who really screams out for a sequel or film series, just like a certain Professor Quatermass received from the Hammer studio. Christopher totally makes you believe that the Duc knows all about good and evil, and that he is also able to understand, challenge, fight and defeat evil.
The role of the Duc was also one of Christopher Lee's personal favourites from amongst his films. I don't know about anyone else, but I for one would have loved to have seen the Duc and his friends fight the forces of evil again in future films or a TV series.
Christopher is an intense presence throughout the film and he makes you (and the Duc's companions in the film)feel safe and secure when the Duc is on screen.
The Duc is so cool and a real hero throughout the film. Whether he is standing up to evil and fighting it with the powers of good, or whether he is punching bad guys whenever they get in his way, one thing is for sure, the Duc knows how to handle himself and he will do whatever it takes to protect his friends and family.
The film opens in England in 1929. The suave Duc de Richleau (Christopher Lee) is very concerned about his young friend, Simon Aron (Patrick Mower). Simon has fallen in with a bad crowd and he has been persuaded by the sinister Mocata (Charles Gray) to join a Satanic cult.
With the help of his other friend, Rex (Leon Greene), the Duc races against time to save Simon. Soon this trio are being pursued by the forces of darkness.
The three friends must also fight to save the soul of the fragile Tanith (Nike Arrighi), a young woman who is also about to lose her soul to the Devil because of Mocata's influence over her.
The cast are all solid with Christopher Lee delivering the standout performance. Christopher, Patrick Mowe and Leon Greene all make you believe and feel the bond of friendship that exists between their three characters(they fought in WW1 together and have been friends ever since, and the Duc has been a father figure to Simon ever since their time fighting in the war.)
Leon does a good job of conveying his characters growing belief and acceptance of the otherworldly forces he keeps encountering. Patrick does a good job of making Simon likeable and showing his struggle against the evil he is being forced into being a part of.
Charles Gray is downright scary as the main villain of the film. Gray plays a Devil worshipper and Satanic cult leader who can bend people to his will. This man is not someone to let your guard down around.
Nike Arrighi is an actress who I was unfamiliar with before seeing her performance here. I think that she does a fantastic job of portraying the fragile and easily manipulated Tanith. This character is very vulnerable and she makes you feel quite protective towards her.
Paul Eddington and Sarah Lawson provide solid support as the Duc's niece and her husband respectively. They are two ordinary people who get caught up in utter horror. My only issue with the casting of Sarah Lawson is that she looks a bit old to be playing Christopher Lee's niece. the devil rides out
Part of the unforgettable protective circle sequence. Image source IMDb.
My favourite scenes are the following. The Duc and Rex discovering the truth about the telescope room. The Duc hypnotising Simon to wean him off the influence of Mocata. Rex chasing Tannith, only to have his windscreen become mysteriously obscured. The protective circle sequence.
A creepy film filled with many memorable moments. Who can forget the Angel of Death riding through the house? Or seeing the Devil called up in the woods? This is perfect Halloween viewing. Just don't watch it alone! Any other fans of this film? I highly recommend this film if you've never seen it.