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IMDb > Eye of the Devil (1966)

Eye of the Devil (1966) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
5.6/10   568 votes
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Director:
J. Lee Thompson
Writers:
Robin Estridge (novel) and
Dennis Murphy (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Eye of the Devil on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
July 1966 (UK) more
Genre:
Horror | Mystery more
Tagline:
we've got your number! more
Plot:
Vineyard owner marquis Philippe de Montfaucon is called back to his castle Bellenac because of another dry season... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
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User Comments:
Oddball Thriller - More Glum than Scary more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Deborah Kerr ... Catherine de Montfaucon

David Niven ... Philippe de Montfaucon

Donald Pleasence ... Pere Dominic
Edward Mulhare ... Jean-Claude Ibert
Flora Robson ... Countess Estell
Emlyn Williams ... Alain de Montfaucon

Sharon Tate ... Odile de Caray
David Hemmings ... Christian de Caray
John Le Mesurier ... Dr. Monnet
Michael Miller ... Grandec
Donald Bisset ... Rennard
Pauline Letts ... Servant
Robert Duncan ... Jacques de Montfaucon
Suky Appleby ... Antoinette de Montfaucon
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
13
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Runtime:
92 min | USA:96 min (TCM print)
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System) | Mono

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Sidney J. Furie and Michael Anderson (I) were originally approached to direct the film. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in All Eyes on Sharon Tate (1967) more

FAQ

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16 out of 18 people found the following comment useful:-
Oddball Thriller - More Glum than Scary, 29 January 2004
Author: baker-9 from United States

"Eye of the Devil" had a very troubled history. Kim Novak was originally cast as the female lead, but production had to be shut down as she proved inadequate to the role's demands (surprise!) and was let go.

The film is about a French nobleman (played by David Niven) who's family fortune is tied to a small village that makes wine. He's called back to the family chateau as the vineyards have been failing for a few years, an announcement ripe with sinister and mysterious overtones. He tells his wife (Deborah Kerr) not to follow him or bring their two children, but soon she does just that, fearing for his safety.

What follows involves ancient pagan rituals, witchcraft, and deadly family secrets that go back centuries and can be handed down to the next generation.

There's a nice thriller in here somewhere, and director J. Lee Thompson manages some creepy scenes here and there. Best are the scenes with a manipulative and hostile Sharon Tate and/or David Hemmings, and one where Kerr is menaced by a group of hooded figures in the woods. Also the ending is properly disturbing.

But for the most part, the film's atmosphere is gloomy and dank, which kills the suspense. It doesn't help that both Deborah Kerr and David Niven are both too mature at this point to be playing parents of small children. Niven looks mostly distracted and Kerr, while capable in her damsel-in-distress role, does a less interesting variation on her brilliant performance in "The Innocents," though in that case the role was far more complex. As for the late Ms. Tate, I'm convinced her voice was dubbed by another actress, but she does cut a very provocative figure.

The film contains too many characters, and not all the plot makes much sense. This is strictly something for British horror fans to watch out of curiosity, or for devotees of Deborah Kerr.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Eye of the Devil (1966)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Eye Of The Devil DVD available? somaoe
Incest? DrModel17
Can Someone Tell Me More About Sharon Tate's Character PinkPolka1010
Film score Just released on CD egads
WHY DON'T PEOPLE DIG THIS FILM? jwallermobile
interesting movie that missed its mark hannahp1
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Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Horror section IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

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