Director: Terence Fisher
Screenplay: Richard Matheson, based on the novel The Devil Rides Out by Dennis Wheatley
Starring: Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Nike Arrighi, Leon Greene, Patrick Mower, Gwen Ffrangcon-Davis, Sarah Lawson, Paul Eddington
Running Time: 95 minutes
Genre: Horror
Set in England, in 1929, the film tells the story of the Duc de Richlieau (Lee) who learns that his friend, Simon (Mower), has become involved in the occult and is under the influence of the evil Mocata (Gray) and his coven of Satanists. As Richlieau and his friends attempt to rescue Simon, and another young initiate, Tanith (Arrighi), from the forces of darkness they find themselves in danger from mortal and supernatural forces.
During the 1930s into the 1960s, Dennis Wheatley, dubbed the "Prince of Thriller Writers", was one of the bestselling authors around, although he is now largely forgotten. Specialising in adventure stories, thrillers and horror novels, and was best known for his books about Black Magic, of which The Devil Rides Out was the first and most popular.
The film itself is from Britain's legendary Hammer Films and is scripted by horror novelist Richard Matheson. It's really more of an adventure story than a proper horror tale. While it has plenty of supernatural goings on, it has a heavy focus on car chases, narrow escapes and fist-fights. It moves along at a fair old pace, and is entertaining enough. Christopher Lee gives a powerful performance in a heroic role, for once, and the supporting cast all seem to be having a good time. While there are some memorable set-pieces, the special effects are not very good, with a scene involving a giant spider more funny than frightening. Another odd element, that was apparently pretty common in Wheatley, is that all the characters are frightfully upper class, and everyone seems to live in huge mansions, when someone asks Richlieau if he can borrow the car, he breezily replies: "Oh, just take any of them".
This is a far from perfect film, but the script is witty, it's well-made, well paced, full of action, and Christopher Lee is at his best. If you want a couple of hours entertainment, it's worth giving it a shot.
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