The Devil Rides out (aka The Devil's Bride) (1968)
Occult expert Duc de Richleau suspects his friend Simon of hanging out with the wrong crowd as 13 members claiming to be part of Simon's astronomical society drop by for a group meeting. Once Richleau deduces that these members desire Simon to join their cult, he along with a mutual friend Rex, try to save Simon. However, the two men must contend with the dark arts who greatly desire Simon's soul. One of Richleau's greatest foes will be Morcata, who can command great power through possession and other deadly devices. The film's climax which features Richleau defending his friend in a protective circle as they face the onslaught of evil powers trying to physically and psychologically break them apart.
Greatly considered to be one of Hammer's best film, Christopher Lee has noted that this is his favorite film, and wishes that it will be remade with better special effects. While the film's low budget produced some crude effects, the film's acting and writing raise the text above contemporary horror films at that time. The film was written by Richard Matheson, who also penned Hammer's House of Usher (1960) and The Pit and the Pendulum (1961). The classic tale of good vs. evil is reworked to suggest that meddling in the dark arts will lead to dangerous consequences. Avoiding various camera movements and fantastic sequences, Fisher retained strong dramatic performances that displayed dignity over debauchery, producing a classical film in the midst of remakes and stronger scenes of graphic violence.
Director: Terrence Fisher
Writer: Richard Matheson
Cast: Christopher Lee, Leon Greene, Charles Gray
Running Time: 96 minutes
Year: 1968
Studio: Hammer Films Production
Greatly considered to be one of Hammer's best film, Christopher Lee has noted that this is his favorite film, and wishes that it will be remade with better special effects. While the film's low budget produced some crude effects, the film's acting and writing raise the text above contemporary horror films at that time. The film was written by Richard Matheson, who also penned Hammer's House of Usher (1960) and The Pit and the Pendulum (1961). The classic tale of good vs. evil is reworked to suggest that meddling in the dark arts will lead to dangerous consequences. Avoiding various camera movements and fantastic sequences, Fisher retained strong dramatic performances that displayed dignity over debauchery, producing a classical film in the midst of remakes and stronger scenes of graphic violence.
Director: Terrence Fisher
Writer: Richard Matheson
Cast: Christopher Lee, Leon Greene, Charles Gray
Running Time: 96 minutes
Year: 1968
Studio: Hammer Films Production