Customer Reviews

The Devil Rides Out [VHS]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My favourite movie of Christopher Lee is the knockout Wickerman (also happens to be his favourite film!!), but this one is my second favourite and a really super non-Dracula tale from Hammer,Adapted from the book by Dennis Wheatley. Lee is even the good guy!

Lee (in a role that generally went to Peter Cushing) plays Richlea, a dapper man with deep knowledge of the esoteric, join forces with a war buddy to save the son of their old friend. The young man, played to perfection by Patrick Mower, has fallen into the clutches Oth Mocata(Charles Gray played with particular power and menace) is a high priest to a Devil Cult that has their sites set on Mower and his fortune.

An excellent struggle of good vs evil that is tautly written, directed and acted, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat and one you will want to view again and again.

Excellent Hammer version of Dennis Wheatley's fine Gothic novel. Christopher Lee stars (in a rare heroic role) as Duc de Richleau an occult scholar battling a Satanic cult in 1920s Europe.

Director Tarrence Fisher and Screenwriter Richard Matheson create a wonderful period atmoshphere; and the supporting cast, including genre favorite Charles Gray, give terrific performances. The film, however, belongs to Christopher Lee who brings much pathos and dignity to his role. It is a shame more filmmakers have not tapped into Lee's unlimited acting potential.

Anchor Bay's VHS edition looks great and sounds better with a new Dolby sound track. The DVD version also from Anchor Bay (Due July 11) looks to be even better as it includes a Dolby Digital (5.1) track and a commentary from Christopher Lee.

The Devil Rides Out is a classic Hammer thriller sure to please fans.

This is in my opinion Hammer's best film of the sixties and definately Christopher Lee at his very best. Refreshing to see the screens greatest villain in a heroic role for once and to appear in a film which he survives without being staked,disintegated or burnt to death. Hammer's star director Terence Fisher is back on fine form with this taut satanic thriller which is the best adaption of a Dennis Wheatley novel to be translated to the screen. Chris Lee plays the Duc de Richeleau a nobleman out to protect his young protege Patrick Mower from falling into the clutches of a group of satanists led by the excellent Charles Gray (remember him as Blofeld in Diamonds Are Forever and as Henderson in You Only Live Twice). Excellent set pieces troughout including a classic scene in which the Angel of Death turns up on a horse to claim a soul and cannot return empty handed. Superb acting throughout from all paties including Leon Greene and Nike Arrighi but this film is a landmark in the careers of both Christopher Lee and Terence Fisher and its the only Hammer film where both of them can really excel themselves makes one wonder why the studio didn't use them more wisely before. This is a classic film and although a little dated in parts still remains one of the best satanic horror films ever made.

THE DEVIL RIDES OUT is Hammer horror at it's best and Anchor Bay's DVD is a gem. Christopher Lee and Charles Gray battle it out (and put their all into their roles) in a very entertaining satanic tale of good vs. evil. Although some of the effects are dated and some of the dialog can invoke a chuckle here and there, the film is still very solid and engrossing. The moment early on where the demonic spirit of a black man with glowing yellow eyes appears is still very creepy and effective...easily one of the scariest moments in any Hammer film ever. So when the movie's creepy, it's fun...and when it's a bit hokey or campy, it's fun as well. The DVD includes the US and UK trailers --- almost identical except the title of the film and the UK trailer blacks out parts of the image (like the spider)! There is also a commentary track by Christopher Lee and actress Sarah Lawson. Lee, who had a BIG hand in getting this film made at the time, is understandably very knowledgeable about satanism-witchcraft, Wheatley's book and the film itself. It's an interesting track and a great testimony to Hammer. It is sad that Peter Cushing never had a chance to do a commentary for any of his Hammer roles. Anyway, this is great Saturday afternoon viewing...you can't go wrong here!

This is one of the greatest horror movies of the 60's. The critic above who stated that this film 'wouldn't appeal to modern horror fans' is, sadly, probably right. There's no MTV heavy metal music droning during some 'cool' escape sequence. Jennifer Love Hewitt does not get to trill and squeal. Even more painfully, most teenage viewers would be coming to this film without the benefit of a 24-hour MTV ad blitz to tell them that it was a 'cool' film to see at the local multiplex before going out for a pizza with their respective 'babes' and 'dudes'. Hey - it gets worse. Terence Fisher's directorial technique actually assumes some capacity for imagination and intelligence on the part of the viewer, Christopher Lee's performance burns with vigour and committment (as opposed to moping around in a state of apathetic irony, whilst occasionally deeming listeners worthy enough to thrill to some oh-so-witty Gen-X pop culture comment laboured over by Kevin Williamson - so witty, dude), and composer James Bernard actually seems to take this story seriously.

Hammer Films reached various peaks in their two decades of film production, but THE DEVIL RIDES OUT is easily near the top of the bunch. The film unfolds, step-by-step, like a great story, and Anchor Bay's disc, with Christopher Lee on the commentary track, is a treasure.

With the early Hammer films (Quatermass, Horror of Dracula, Frankenstein) this is surely one of the best features the studio ever made.

For once Christopher Lee is cast as the hero, one Duc de Richleau, a change from the usual malevolent characters he always seems to play. The plot is very staightfoward, a friend of the de Richleau becomes involved with an satanic cult, being an expert on such matters he immediately realises the severity of his friends obsession. With the hep of his friend Rex Van Ryn (Leon Greene) they discover that this occult is overseen by Mocata (Charles Gray) and are determined to put a stop to it. Such a plot is the usual staple of B-movie Devil worship shenigans but be prepared for some intelligent filmmaking of this genre. Director Terence Fisher plus Christopher Lee plus a good sreenplay plus good production values always yields a decent movie, this being a very good example. With regards to Mocata (Charles Gray) a particular scene where he attemps to hypnotise his way into the "Safe House" is one of my favorite film moments. Five stars to Anchor Bay for another excellent presentation. The presentation is anamorphically enhanced for widescreen viewing (1.66:1) and with a quite superb 5.1 Dolby Digital remastered soundtrack (Considering it was made in 1968 I suspect some artistic license was used in its production however the JAMES BERNARD score is very vivid and far removed from the usual mono recordings you would get on VHS). As with "Dracula Prince OF Darkness" the commemtary with the film is informative feauring Christopher Lee.

"The Devil Rides Out" (US title: The Devil's Bride) is an excellent Hammer horror film, one of their last good ones before their decline in the early 1970s. Directed by Terence Fisher, and starring "Dracula" and "Fu Manchu" star Christopher Lee in a rare heroic role as occult master the Duc de Richeleu, the film still manages to create considerable dramatic tension and excitement 30 years after its release. While no masterpiece (that giant spider is pretty fake looking), it is a fast-moving, wellmade piece of Hammer entertainment. The book of the same name , written in the 30s by Dennis Wheatley, is much more frightening. With the superb Charles Gray ("Rocky Horror" and "Diamonds are Forever") is the evil sorceror Mocatta. END

First off, for the Great Unwashed Movie Fan, seeing the name "Richard Matheson" as the screenwriter usually indicates an imaginative and intelligent treatment of original source material, being a veteran of the original Twilight Zone series nd countless other works. This is a perfect example of his work, with a nicely-paced film as a result. The Great Christopher Lee plays the good guy for this effort, helping to save his friends from a local devil worship group, led by the genuinely creepy Charles Gray. Yes, ol' Splitfoot makes an appearance, along with a rogues' gallery of cronies for your money. This is no Anti-Satan Afterschool Special. It's rarely boring, with plenty of movement and an uncomplicated script. Also, some truly nice surprises (the startling kind!) for the first-time viewer to boot. You'll spend a lot of the movie wondering "How Are They EVER Gonna Get Outta This One?",but the ride is the fun of it. Christopher Lee enjoyed it too, and you can tell he relished its twists and turns. Go have fun!

One of Terry Fisher's finest films as director, The Devil Rides Out also features one of Richard Matheson's best screenplays. Matheson has great material to work with from author Dennis Wheatly. The writing is, like most of Matheson's work, crisp and powerful.

Casting Christopher Lee against type (for a change)was a bright move. Lee makes the most out of his character and it's nice to see him be the good guy for once (although he does play bad sooo well). Charles Gray also gives a tremendous performance as the head of the Devil worshipping cult.

Terry Fisher directed a lot of fine films during his career at Hammer but none equalled Devil. Although this wasn't his swan song, it could have been since everything is just about perfect. The production values are terrific. A pity that the special effects weren't as sophisticated then as they are now. Then again they would probably sacrifice everything else just for the effects (a problem with so many current supernatural films).

The audio commentary is very informative and Lee is a delight throughout. He's full of interesting information about everything from the title sequence to the production design. A pity that Warner Brothers chose not to hire him for the audio commentary for The Mummy. Maybe they'll realize their mistake and hire him for Curse of Frankenstein and Horror of Dracula when they make them available (better get cracking guys Chris is getting up there a bit in age).

The extras are up to the usual standard we've come to expect from Anchor and Bay--great! I've always loved their reproduction of the lobby cards that they've included in the packaging. It makes each DVD a unique collectible. A pity Warner won't license Curse of Frankenstein and Horror of Dracula (they really should--they have so many titles to reissue that I'm afraid these two will get lost in the shuffle). Anchor and Bay could do a terrific job with these two titles as they have with all the Hammer titles they've licensed.

What an absolutely beautiful presentation this is, Anchor Bay have really pulled out all of the stops for this presentation, sheer quality. The guys and gals at the Bay must really work their socks off presenting these Hammer Classics and this is no exception, a crystal clear and almost pristine print. The master of Horror Mr, Christopher Lee gives us commentary, which is very informative. He talks about his role as de Richleau(?), and the production of what must surely rate as one of Hammers best. A trailer is included and an episode of 'The World of Hammer' series titled 'Hammer'. If you buy no other movies on DVD this year then please, please buy this one and enjoy the dark foreboding times of cinema before 'The Exorcist' became the parody of modern day stories of black magic and possession.