Duc de Richleau (Christopher Lee) is trying to save the not just the life, but the very soul of an old family friend from devil worshipers led by the sorcerer Mocata (Charles Gray). The movie is set in the Thirties, in the English country-side. Made in the late Sixties, time has not been especially kind to the special effects, though they remain effective for the most part.
Description:Set in London and the south of England in 1929, the Duc de Richelieu (Christopher Lee) investigates the strange actions of Simon Aron (Patrick Mower), the son of a friend, who has a house complete with strange markings and a pentagram. He quickly deduces that Simon is involved with the Occult.
Richelieu and Rex van Rijn (Leon GreeSet in London and the south of England in 1929, the Duc de Richelieu (Christopher Lee) investigates the strange actions of Simon Aron (Patrick Mower), the son of a friend, who has a house complete with strange markings and a pentagram. He quickly deduces that Simon is involved with the Occult.
Richelieu and Rex van Rijn (Leon Greene) rescue Simon and another young initiate, Tanith Carlisle (Nike Arrighi), from a devil worshipping cult. During the rescue they disrupt a ceremony on Salisbury Plain in which Satan himself appears. They escape to the home of Richard and Marie Eaton (Paul Eddington and Sarah Lawson), friends of Richelieu and van Rijn, and are followed by the group's leader, Mocata (Charles Gray), who has a psychic connection to the two initiates.
After visiting the house to discuss the matter and an unsuccessful attempt to influence the initiates to return, Mocata forces Richelieu and the other occupants to defend themselves through a night of black magic attacks, ending with the conjuring of the angel of death.
His attacks defeated, Mocata kidnaps the Eatons' little daughter Peggy (Rosalyn Landor). Simon tries to rescue her, but is recaptured by the group. The Duc, Richard and Peggy's family also try to save her but they are defeated by Mocata.
Suddenly, a powerful force, possibly Hecate, the queen of all witches and ruler of all magic, possesses Mrs. Eaton and puts a stop to Peggy's trance. She then leads Peggy in the recitation of a spell which kills all of the cultists and transforms their coven room into a church. When the Duc and his companions awaken, they discover that the spell Peggy was led into casting has reversed time and changed the future in their favour.
Simon and Tanith have survived, while Mocata's spell to conjure the angel of death has been reflected back on him. He now pays the price of loss of life and eternal damnation of his soul for having wrongly summoned the angel of death. Richelieu comments that it is God they must be thankful for.... (more)(less)
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Ups: Christopher Lee plays a hero for once and since he has a big occult book collection at home he is believable in the expert role too. Fast-paced. Excellent story based upon a Dennis Wheatley book. Footage from this movie was used for the Iron Maiden music video "The Number of the Beast". Great acting.
Downs: It should have tried to keep things in the shadows and not show everything off in effect-scenes as the Goat Devil scene and the visit from Death is a little to hard to swallow. Ha"
richard tong voted for an image 2 months, 3 weeks ago
" This time Christopher Lee gets to play the hero for a change. With a script by Richard Matheson and masterful direction by Terrence Fisher, this is one of the more frightening entries in the Hammer horror library. I love how it's grounded in reality and the supernatural slowly trickles in. The scene where our heroes are safe within the circle while evil forces try to get in makes for some tense moments."
"The Devil Rides Out Director: Terence Fisher
Producer: Anthony Nelson Keys
Script: Richard Matheson (after Dennis Wheatley's novel by the same name)
Photo: Arthur Grant
Music: James Bernard
Starrings: Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Nike Arrighi, Patrick Mower, Leon Greene, Gwen Ffrangcon Davies, Sarah Lawson, Paul Eddington
"The Angel of Death was summoned. He cannot return empty-handed." - Duc de Richleau
In the countryside of England, the Duc de Richleau a.k.a Nicholas welcomes his old frie"
Ruisperkele added this to a list 1 year, 7 months ago