The Devil Rides Out

The Devil Rides Out

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Editorial Reviews

Christopher Lee, long Hammer Studios' house villain, takes a rare heroic turn as scholar and occultist Duc de Richleau, the kind of role that Peter Cushing had made his métier. Lee plays Richleau with a dark elegance and intensity--he's a commanding figure with a trim goatee who discovers that the son of a war buddy has joined a satanic cult lorded over by the quietly malevolent Mocata (Charles Gray, best known as the narrator in The Rocky Horror Picture Show). Director Terence Fisher, working from a literate script by genre scribe Richard Matheson, creates a strikingly handsome period piece (set in 1920s rural England) dripping in dread as Richleau and Mocata battle for the souls of two young lovers on both physical and spiritual planes. The action scenes are well handled and the towering Lee cuts quite a figure leaping through hoards of robed devil worshippers to save a sacrificial victim, but the film peaks in an eerie supernatural battle in which Richleau and his skeptical party confronts Mocata's demons while protected in a giant pentagram. The effects are coarse and dated by today's standards, but the gorgeous period detail, vivid color, and unsettling imagery create a sinister ambiance, and Fisher's mix of psychodrama and swashbuckling action makes for an engrossing thriller, a life-and-death struggle between two masters of the forces of light and darkness. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

BIG THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS ABOUND IN THIS SUPERB THRILLER

Reviewed by Robin Simmons, 2009-11-06

"THE DEVIL RIDES OUT" (1968)

Christopher Lee is Duc de Richleau who is concerned when a young friend is absent from their regular reunion. An investigation reveals the friend is trapped in a hypnotic-astrological cult led by a malevolent Satanist named Mocata (Charles Gray). In a desperate game of daring good and raw evil, Lee challenges Mocata with a powerful ritual that may or may not destroy his coven and free his friend.

This is terrific Halloween movie that raises all kinds of theological questions.

The beautiful DVD transfer features a great commentary with stars Christopher Lee and Sarah Lawson, U.S. and U.K. theatrical trailers plus an episode of the "World of Hammer" entitled HAMMER. (Not rated, widescreen, 95 minutes)

Hammer never disappoints-- neither does Christopher Lee....

Reviewed by NoLongerDevil, 2008-08-01

Another fiendish tale with Christopher Lee at the helm. Set in turn of the century London this time, Lee's character must save 2 people from the vile clutches of a Devil worshiping cult. Complete with somewhat acurate, although spotty references to actual old world paganism, (how would I know that?) smoke and fire, candles and symbols, there's even a cameo appearance from the Dark One himself! Gotta love it! This film was a scary good time, although I think the ending was a little thin-- left me a little wanting, but classic stuff nonetheless. I've always said these late 60's Hammer films are in a brilliant class by themselves. You know if it stars Lee, Cushing, or Price, you've already got a winner.

A Classic Film Adaptation of Wheatley's Tale of Black Magic and Satanism.

Reviewed by New Age of Barbarism, 2008-05-26

_The Devil Rides Out_ (1968), made by Hammer Film Productions, is an adaptation of the 1934 Dennis Wheatley novel by the same name, which features a confrontation between the forces of darkness and those of light. The film stars Christopher Lee as the Duc de Richleau, the main character in the novel and practicioner of white magic. The rest of the cast includes Charles Gray as the black magician Mocata, Nike Arrighi as Tanith, Leon Greene as Rex Van Ryn, Patrick Mower as Simon Aron, Sarah Lawson as Marie Eaton, Paul Eddington as Richard Eaton, and Rosalyn Landor as Peggy Eaton. The film takes place in 1930s London and begins with the Duc de Richleau and Rex Van Ryn paying a visit to their friend Simon. It turns out that Simon has involved himself in a black magic ritual and together the Duc and Rex decide to rescue him along with the girl Tanith who they meet at his house. While there they encounter a demon, but the Duc effectively destroys it with a crucifix after telling Rex to avoid eye contact. Then, the Duc manages to knock out Simon and together with Rex they take him back to the home of the Duc de Richleau. Thus, begins the action as the Duc attempts to combat the forces of evil represented by Mocata, the lead black magician. Simon manages to escape and Rex decides to visit Tanith and take her away to the home of the Eatons. However, Tanith escapes and together with Simon they participate in a Sabbat in which the Goat of Mendes appears. The Duc and Rex manage to destroy the Goat of Mendes with a crucifix and thus take Tanith and Simon back to them. However, Mocata is to pay a visit Marie Eaton and demonstrates his hypnotic powers. Further, under extreme duress Tanith attempts to kill Rex so must be taken and tied up to avoid further danger. At this point, the Duc creates a magic circle and various demons including the angel of death appear. Tanith dies when the angel of death returns empty-handed. Further, Peggy is taken by Mocata to be used in his rites. The rest of the story unfolds as the group tries to re-capture Peggy and things may not be what they seem for Tanith either.

This film is a good adaptation of the novel by Dennis Wheatley. Wheatley is perhaps best known for his occult thriller novels and this film effectively shows the dangers of tampering in black magic. As such this film is recommended to those who enjoyed the novel.

Hammer Great

Reviewed by S J Buck, 2007-09-01

This marvellous film is one of Hammers best ever. Really only Dracula and The Hound of the Baskervilles are in the same league.

Christopher Lee plays the Duc De Richeau with the same passion he plays normally plays bad guys. Charles Gray is excellent as Mocata, the leader of the devil worshipers. Other noteable British actors that you will know are Patrick Mower and Paul Eddington.

The director is Terence Fisher who consistently proved himself to be the best Hammer director. The film is gripping and if the special effects look very primitive now you should not let it detract from what is otherwise a great film.

This edition has a commentary by Christopher Lee and others which is quite fascinating and well worth getting. Even without the commentary this is still an essential purchase for Hammer and/or horror fans.

Christopher Lee cast against type

Reviewed by D. I. Shipley, 2006-10-05

The Devil Rides Out is probably the best known book that Dennis Wheatley ever wrote. The Hammer film adaptation is pretty faithful to the book. The film version sees Christopher Lee (cast against type) as the heroic Duc de Richelieu fighting a coven of Satanists, led by Charles Gray's evil and sinister Mocata. The film is both eerie and frightening (the encounter with the Ab Human entity in the darkened house being a very good example) as the powers of Light and Darkness lock horns via their respective proxys...
Christopher Lee turns in a superlative performance as De Richelieu and Charles Gray is equally good as his Satanic nemesis - Mocata.
They receive sterling support from the rest of the cast who include Patrick Mower and Barbara Shelley.
Among occult movies, The Devil Rides Out stands out as one of the very best. It remains one of my all time faves and is highly recommended to anyone who has not seen it yet.