Customer Reviews

Eye of the Devil

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am surprised this movie is not out on DVD or video because it's one of the few films of the beautiful Sharon Tate, the actress killed by the Mason Cult. Supposedly her "introduction" film along with fellow actor David Hemmings, MGM made a big todo of showcasing them before the films release.

The film was also called 13 in some releases, and the supposedly unlucky number seems apropos for the film with Tate later being murdered, and the trouble over initial casting. The simply gorgeous Kim Novak was set to play the lead, they had actually begun filming when she was thrown from a horse. A broken bone resulted in her being replaced by the powerhouse Deborah Kerr, who seems, truthfully, better suited to be playing David Niven's wife.

This is like no other Niven film, an high popular, but I believe, underrated actor. He made it seems so easy. But you watch him with Gregory Peck in GUNS OF NAVARONE and you will see he was a marvellous talent.

It's a low-key thriller, in the WICKERMAN vein. Kerr, Niven and family have been living a good life in Paris, but the arrival of mysterious priest from Niven's home, starts them spiralling into a nightmare of unbelievable proportions. Niven, says the countryside of his province requires the return of the Marquis de Bellac, there is a prolong draught of years, and he must go back, though he won't say what he can do to stop a draught. He insists Kerr and the children stay behind.

In typical headstrong fashion, Kerr is not content to remain behind being the 'little woman', so she and the children travel to the medieval honour of Bellac. Stuck in a time warp of the Middle Ages, Bellac is a total feudal estate. Niven in NOT happy to see she has come. She soon runs afoul of two strange young people (Hemmings, an archer, and the beautiful Tate, who shows disdain for all the males around her). Though they are not really a part of the estate, they seems to come and go as they please and laugh at Kerr's affront.

The strange priest, played by Donald Pleasence, continues to exert a strong hold over Niven, almost as if he is compelling and preparing Niven for 'what will come'. It is clear things are very wrong at Bellac. After a ride in the wood, she discovers that nearly every Bellac Marquis has died a mysterious death at an young age, and is harassed by hooded monk-like figures after finding the tomb of the last Marquis in the wood. There are strange comings and goings at all hours. Niven;s aunt tucks her head and ignores it all, but seems ready to burst into tears. A strange man is hiding in the attic and he warns her to leave before it's too late. Oddly, she discovered though the whole area is very religious, the religion has a taint of heresy about it.

One day, she catches Tate teaching the children to play on the edge of the crenellations of the roof. When she rushes up to stop it, she soon finds herself at peril, as Tate hypnotises her in to nearly stepping off the roof.

Worse, is the distance between her and her husband, and his insistence he has accepted his fate.

Very understated, mesmerising dancing in the ring of 13....with a knockout of an ending.

Ted Turner occasionally shows this - beware he cuts it bloody pieces!

POWERFUL!

Highly recommended to those who appreciate The WICKERMAN.

The sixties gave birth to many films dealing with every aspect of the occult from witchcraft to demonic possession and sometimes they branched off into something else of which director J. Lee Thompson's 'EYE OF THE DEVIL' is one of them. Without giving way the essence of the plot, the wife of a grand marquis in modern day France gets mixed up in a nightmare involving her husband and children, suffice it too say that it truly is not a horror film per se but an exercise in Paganism and predates Robin Hardy and Anthony Schaeffer's production of 'THE WICKER MAN' by a number of years. David Niven gives a subdued performance as the Marquis and Deborah Kerr in a role reminiscent of her turn as the governess in Jack Clayton's 'THE INNOCENTS' gives her wife in peril performance a fine driven feel. David Hemmings right from his debut in Antonioni's 'BLOW UP' and Sharon Tate in her first film role give the proceedings an eerie, unsettling twist but the real stars of the affair are the first rate black and white photography by Erwin Hellier and brilliant editing by Ernest Walter. Always known for his action films, this may be J. Lee Thompson's best work. Available as a DVD-R from Warner Archive, its a beautiful transfer and an unusual way ahead of its time tragic excercise in traditions and religious beliefs.

From the novel "The Day Of The Arrow" by Phillip Loraine, this is a supernatural thriller concerning a creepy ch?teau in the French countryside, beset by bizarre occurrences and rumors of witchcraft. Phillipe De Monfaucon, Marquis de Bellac (David Niven), his wife, Catherine (Deborah Kerr) and their children, Jacques (Robert Duncan) and Antionette (Suky Appleby) become concerned and then victimized by the mysteriousness, including the presence of foreboding brother and sister, Christian (David Hemmings) and Odile (Sharon Tate)D'Carey. It soon becomes clear that the menacing pair is attempting to initiate the family into their cult. Even the village priest Father Dominick (Donald Pleasance) appears to have a sinister agenda. An interesting premise, excellent cast, glorious black and white photography; a cult favorite in the making. Young up and comers Hemmings and Tate embody their cherubic blonde innocence and evil blackness wonderfully - their appearance only enhances one's feelings of dread and menace. Although only listed seventh in the credits, Tate remains a lovely presence, and definitely worth watching. The parallels between her tragic demise just a few years later and her role here is almost too close for comfort.

A very unnerving, effective supernatural chiller.

Eye of the Devil (J. Lee Thompson, 1967)

Eye of the Devil is an atmospheric little film directed by a great director on a downward slide, starring a number of actors who were either on their way up or on their way down, and based on a novel that could generously be called obtuse. Is it any wonder that it made almost no splash when it was released? Now that it's available on DVD, however, you have a chance to discover an overlooked sixties gem.

Phillippe de Montfaucon (David Niven) is called back to his family's estate in Brittany, and cautions his wife Catherine (Deborah Kerr) not to follow him. She does, thanks to the restlessness of their son Jacques (Robert Duncan), and finds the family's estate to be quite odd. Montfaucon's mother Estelle (Flora Robson) refuses to see her after one awkward encounter, and the ominous de Caray twins, Odile (Sharon Tate) and Christian (David Hemmings), are always skulking about. The village chaplain (Donald Pleasance), far from providing comfort, seems to be quite gung-ho about the weirdness. Catherine is well aware that something bad is going to happen, but will she be able to figure out what it is and stop it?

The movie is just this side of incomprehensible for much of its length, and is saved solely by the quality of its cast. But what a cast it is. Tate, Hemmings, and Pleasance are fantastic in their parts. Niven is somewhat less so, but it's possible to write off his distracted air given the movie's climax (which, of course, it would be a spoiler to reveal). Kerr is clueless, but then she's supposed to be. As interesting as the cast is, what was taking place behind the camera was just as impressive; whoever's decision it was to film this in black and white is to be commended, as it works very well. It has the feel of a thirties or forties mystery about it, and it plays on that nostalgia a good deal (this may be more recognizable now than it was then, of course, given that we're forty years farther removed). Thompson was past it by this point, only a few years away from his nadir directing a string of Charles Bronson revenge potboilers, but he still has some of the old grace in him. The lighting and sound are superb, though the soundtrack seems a bit off to me. Something moodier would probably have been more appropriate.

All in all, though, a film that deserves much more attention than it's gotten. ***

but it adds a surreal touch to her beauty and to her character, Odile.

This is one of those movies that can keep up the suspense no matter how many times you've watched it. It gets more haunting each time.

David Niven and Deborah Kerr were world-class actors but I agree with the reviewer from Norway in that they were too old-looking to be playing parents to such young children. (If the kids were a little older, it would be a different story.) Other than that, I felt sorry for Philippe de Montfaucon (Niven) at the end of the film when he met his end (as cold, unfeeling, and willing to accept his fate as he was, his family be damned). Catherine de Montfaucon (Kerr) indeed was not going to sit back and accept her husband's fate. She fought hard but her efforts were in vain.

In Sharon's first film role, she played the part of wicked Odile convincingly. She has a blank stare on her face throughout the film but whenever that beautiful face pops up on the screen, you can't help but be mesmerized and wonder what evil deed she will perform next.

And I lost my heart when I saw David Hemmings. Even with a blank expression on his face, he's still good looking. He and Sharon were a great combination of the evil siblings.

All in all, a classic black and white film full of suspense and definitely worth the time to view, especially to see the very talented Sharon Tate.

It is also a faithful adaptation of Philip Loraine's book, "Day of the Arrow."

Deborah Kerr made two legendary horror pictures in her carreer: "The Innocents" (based on the story by Henry James) and "Eye Of The Devil", both are in black and white. And both are without blood, without brutality. Very good made films, full of intelligent suspense, with much love for the details. And serious! "The Innocents" are available on DVD, while "Eye Of The Devil" isn't. I think it's time to bring out "Eye Of The Devil" on DVD now! It plays at an old castle and tells the story of the deadly secret of the family who lives there. David Hemmings and David Niven starring brillant in the picture - like Deborah Kerr! And don't forget Sharon Tate, her role is incredible, she says no word, sitting on a stone before the castle all time in this film. Please, bring out this long-missing horror picture on DVD!

I remember seeing this on late nite television when I was very young. It is funny how certain images stay with us. I remember being at once attracted to Sharon Tate (a true beauty) and yet kinda scared because she was a wicked girl in this movie and it made me very uneasy. But I was able to see this film, of all places at a midnight show in London (in August 1999) , and it has real atmoshpere and chills. And to be sure, Sharon Tate may finally be remembered for something else than the way she died. Her beauty is almost intoxicating and I don't mean that in a lesbionic way, she just was. Also note the location, so weird.

Philip Lorraine's strange and mesmerizing mystery Day of the Arrow has been a cult classic for years. The movie version too became a cult classic and just as in the case of the book, impossible to find. The book is still not easy to fine (although I have the original hard cover first edition and two subsequent paperback editions), but finally the movie is available on DVD. Beautifully made creating a mood and dread, menace and eerie decadence as well. Some one described it as Rebecca with a touch of Jane Eyre. It casts a spell which makes the movie unforgettable.

Her breakthrough role that was very pivotal to the film. In black and white Sharon's true beauty is revealed. She looks incredible. They really need to release this on DVD.

This is Sharon Tate`s film... She steals every scene she`s in and she delivers a chilling precense:-) David Niven is brilliant as Philippe, as are David Hemmings, Flora Robson and Donald Pleasance. The film is uneven, but should always be watched because of it near-perfect cast.

Miss Kerr would have been good 10 years earlier, but looks too old to play a mama with so young children... Her scene on the roof with Sharon however, is a classic.