Review of The Devil Rides Out

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.

This is a fine supernatural thriller starring Sir Christopher Lee (The Mummy, Horror of Dracula) in one of his few non-villain roles for Hammer, directed by Hammer Studio's uber director Terrence Fisher (Curse of Frankenstein, Horror of Dracula) with a script written (adapted from the novel by Dennis Wheatley) by Richard Matheson (The Incredible Shrinking Man, The Legend of Hell House). How can you go wrong with that triptych? Answer: you can't. Also along for the ride is reliable character actor Charles Gray (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Diamonds Are Forever), who's excellent as the villainous Sorcerer/High Priest Mocata. This would make a great double feature with Night of the Demon (1957), Night of The Eagle (aka Burn Witch Burn) (1962) or Horror Hotel (aka City of the Dead) (1960).