The Devil Rides Out (1968)

Devil worshipers plan to convert two new victims.

Director:

Terence Fisher

Writers:

Richard Matheson (screenplay), Dennis Wheatley (novel)

Stars:

Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Nike Arrighi

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Christopher Lee	...	Duc de Richleau
Charles Gray	...	Mocata
Nike Arrighi	...	Tanith Carlisle (as Niké Arrighi)
Leon Greene	...	Rex Van Ryn
Patrick Mower	...	Simon Aron
Gwen Ffrangcon Davies	...	Countess
Sarah Lawson	...	Marie Eaton
Paul Eddington	...	Richard Eaton
Rosalyn Landor	...	Peggy Eaton
Russell Waters	...	Malin

Storyline

In the countryside of England, the Duc de Richleau a.k.a Nicholas welcomes his old friend Rex Van Ryn that has flown to meet him and Simon Aron, who is the son of an old friend of them that had passed away but charged them the task of watching the youngster. Nicholas and Rex unexpectedly visit Simon that is receiving twelve mysterious friends. Sooner Nicholas, who is proficient in black magic, learns that the guests are member of a satanic cult and Simon and his friend Tanith Carlisle will be baptized by the powerful leader Mocata to serve the devil. The two friends abduct Simon and Tanith expecting to save their souls but Mocata summons the Angel of Death and the Goat of Mendes to help him in a battle between the good and the forces of evil.

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Plot Keywords:

baphomet | satanic goat | damsel in distress | butler | kidnapping | 

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Taglines:

All the demons of hell - summoned to earth to claim "The Devil's Bride!"

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 July 1968 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Devil Rides Out

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British-Pathé, Hammer Films, Seven Arts Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mocata was based on Alistair Crowley in the original novel. Author Dennis Wheatley invited him to dinner for research purposes.

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Goofs

From after Rex has fallen asleep at Marie's house (when he has removed his tie), his shirt alternates between having one and then two buttons undone in various shots. Notable is the final scene: when he is walking up the garden, there is only one button undone. When he enters the house, two buttons are undone.

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Quotes

Duc de Richleau: [watching as Rex and Tanith, now restored to life, walk toward the house] Come in my friends.
Marie Eaton: [rushes into the room with husband Richard carrying Peggy] She's alright!
[Sees Tanith standing there]
Marie Eaton: Tanith!
Duc de Richleau: Time itself has been reversed for us. Tanith's death; Peggy's abduction; the ride to Chilbury; the ritual in the cellar... all these things happened. But now, they have not happened. We're back. We are all safe again.
Simon Aron: And is Mocata also safe?
Duc de Richleau: You will also remember, Simon, what I said to you ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

The 2012 UK Blu-ray Disc released by Studio Canal features digitally enhanced special effects. The makers of the Blu-ray claim to complete shots which had never been finished due to budget reasons:

• Matte shot of Simon's mansion with the Observatory dome has been replaced with a CGI background.
• During the ritual at the climax of the movie a lightning has been replaced with a new CGI lightning.
• Spider sequence: Shadow for the spider has been added, some matte shots enhanced, and digital smoke added when the spider is sprayed with holy water.
• The Angel of Death sequence: A light effect is illuminating the door to cover the poor original optical effect when the angel rides through the door. The close up of the Angel of Death has a new background with flames as the original intended shot was never finished.
• The matte shots of Charley Grey's death in the fire have been digitally corrected as there were optical errors in the layers of the matte shots.
• Several other matte shots have been improved by removing matte lines.

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Connections

Featured in The Culture Show: Me, You and Doctor Who (2013)

User Reviews

The Followers of the Goat of Mendes

In the countryside of England, the Duc de Richleau a.k.a Nicholas (Christopher Lee) welcomes his old friend Rex Van Ryn (Leon Greene) that has flown to meet him and Simon Aron (Patrick Mower), who is the son of an old friend of them that had passed away but charged them the task of watching the youngster.

Nicholas and Rex unexpectedly visit Simon that is receiving twelve mysterious friends. Sooner Nicholas, who is proficient in black magic, learns that the guests are member of a satanic cult and Simon and his friend Tanith Carlisle (Niké Arrighi) will be baptized by the powerful leader Mocata (Chrales Gray) to serve the devil. The two friends abduct Simon and Tanith expecting to save their souls but Mocata summons the Angel of Death and the Goat of Mendes to help him in a battle between the good and the forces of evil.

"The Devil Rides Out" is a flawed but highly entertaining production by Hammer directed by Terence Fisher, one of the best British directors of horror genre, with a good story of satanic cult. Christopher Lee this time is "the good guy", fighting to save his protégée from the powerful forces of the darkness. Why the little Peggy and the butler had not been included in the circle of protection is probably the greatest flaws of this film. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "As Bodas de Satã" ("The Anniversary of Satã")