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IMDbPro

Curse of the Demon

Original title: Night of the Demon
  • 19571957
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
14K
YOUR RATING
Dana Andrews and Peggy Cummins in Curse of the Demon (1957)
American professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference, only to find himself investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshiper Julian Karswell.
Play trailer2:10
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Fantasy
  • Horror
  • Mystery
American professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference, only to find himself investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshiper Julian Karswell.American professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference, only to find himself investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshiper Julian Karswell.American professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference, only to find himself investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshiper Julian Karswell.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
14K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jacques Tourneur
  • Writers
    • Charles Bennett(screenplay)
    • Hal E. Chester(screenplay)
    • M.R. James(story "Casting the Runes")
  • Stars
    • Dana Andrews
    • Peggy Cummins
    • Niall MacGinnis
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jacques Tourneur
  • Writers
    • Charles Bennett(screenplay)
    • Hal E. Chester(screenplay)
    • M.R. James(story "Casting the Runes")
  • Stars
    • Dana Andrews
    • Peggy Cummins
    • Niall MacGinnis
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 248User reviews
    • 103Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:10
    Official Trailer

    Photos121

    Dana Andrews and Peggy Cummins in Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Dana Andrews and Peggy Cummins in Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Curse of the Demon (1957)
    Curse of the Demon (1957)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dana Andrews
    Dana Andrews
    • John Holdenas John Holden
    Peggy Cummins
    Peggy Cummins
    • Joanna Harringtonas Joanna Harrington
    Niall MacGinnis
    Niall MacGinnis
    • Doctor Julian Karswellas Doctor Julian Karswell
    Maurice Denham
    Maurice Denham
    • Professor Henry Harringtonas Professor Henry Harrington
    Athene Seyler
    Athene Seyler
    • Mrs. Karswellas Mrs. Karswell
    Liam Redmond
    Liam Redmond
    • Mark O'Brienas Mark O'Brien
    Reginald Beckwith
    Reginald Beckwith
    • Mr. Meekas Mr. Meek
    Ewan Roberts
    Ewan Roberts
    • Lloyd Williamsonas Lloyd Williamson
    Peter Elliott
    • Kumaras Kumar
    Rosamund Greenwood
    • Mrs. Meekas Mrs. Meek
    Brian Wilde
    Brian Wilde
    • Rand Hobartas Rand Hobart
    Richard Leech
    Richard Leech
    • Inspector Mottramas Inspector Mottram
    Lloyd Lamble
    Lloyd Lamble
    • Detective Simmonsas Detective Simmons
    Peter Hobbes
    • Superintendentas Superintendent
    Charles Lloyd Pack
    • Chemistas Chemist
    • (as Charles Lloyd-Pack)
    John Salew
    • Librarianas Librarian
    Janet Barrow
    • Mrs. Hobart (deleted from US print)as Mrs. Hobart (deleted from US print)
    Percy Herbert
    Percy Herbert
    • Farmer (deleted from US print)as Farmer (deleted from US print)
    • Director
      • Jacques Tourneur
    • Writers
      • Charles Bennett(screenplay)
      • Hal E. Chester(screenplay)
      • M.R. James(story "Casting the Runes")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jacques Tourneur never planned to show the monster, but to leave it instead to the audience's imagination. However, the studio insisted that the monster be shown, and added it in post-production, allegedly without Tourneur's consent, approval or involvement. "The scenes where we really see the demon were shot without me. All except one: I shot the sequence in the woods where Andrews is pursued by this sort of cloud. [Tourneur himself in Midi-Minuit Fantastique 5.65] + It should have been unveiled bit by bit without it ever really being shown." [in Cinefantsatique; '73.]
    • Goofs
      At the beginning, when the doomed Professor Harrington is driving to Dr. Karswell's place, the steering wheel is on the left, and the POV is from the shotgun seat, looking at the right side of his face. On his way back to his home, it's a mirror image of the original (flipped shot).
    • Quotes

      Professor Harrington: It's in the trees! It's coming!

    • Alternate versions
      This film exists in three English language versions: (1) The original British release under the title "Night of the Demon," (2) Columbia's edited version for release in the U.S. under the title "Curse of the Demon" and, (3) over 20 years later, Columbia replaced their edited U.S. version with the original British version but with the title also changed to "Curse of the Demon." Columbia's DVD release contains both the edited and restored U.S. versions. Although the cover remains the same, Columbia's more recent copies of the their DVD release removes the U.S. version with the restored footage with a print of the original British release with the title "Night of the Demon."
    • Connections
      Featured in Aweful Movies with Deadly Earnest: Curse of the Demon (1970)
    • Soundtracks
      Plain Song
      (uncredited)

      Music by Fela Sowande

      Chappell Recorded Music Library

    User reviews248

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    One of the greatest horror/suspense movies ever made
    Listen. Get yourself the biggest screen possible (preferably with a good front projection TV), turn out the lights, sit back with your popcorn and soda, and get ready for an evening of unrelenting suspense. Directed by Jacques Tournear, whose other classics include "The Leopard Man," Robert Mitchum's "Out of the Past," and "Cat People," one viewing of this film will readily illustrate to you why Hollywood's audiences are dwindling. This movie is what good movie making is all about; this movie knows what it's intention is and executes it beautifully. When you see this film, you will think to yourself, "Why can't they make them like this anymore?" If you thought "The Others" was a good movie (which I did) then you will like this one. "The Others," by the way, is one of the few exceptions to my negative criticism above.

    I'm not going to reveal any of the plot. Watch it without knowing anything about the plot; let the story unfold on you as it does to Dana Andrews. You'll be glad you did.

    The film is available on DVD in the USA and longer English versions. The only difference I saw in the two versions is that the USA version cuts out a few unnecessary words that add nothing to the story.

    Anyway, give this movie a viewing. You'll be glad you did.
    helpful•59
    8
    • robertblanton
    • Sep 24, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 30, 1958 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Casting the Runes
    • Filming locations
      • Brocket Hall, Lemsford, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Sabre Film Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1(original aspect ratio & theatrical release)

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