The Devil Rides Out (1968) starring Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Nikri, Leon Greene, Patrick Mower directed by Terence Fisher Movie Review

The Devil Rides Out (1968)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Christopher Lee in The Devil Rides Out (1968)

Left Out

The Duc de Richleau (Christopher Lee) becomes concerned when Simon (Patrick Mower), the son of an old war friend, seems to disappear and hasn't been seen for three months. With the help of his friend Rex (Leon Greene) they track Simon down who has taken up with a group of devil worshippers led by the sinister Mocata (Charles Gray). Fearful, de Richleau and Rex decide to abduct Simon and his young friend Tanith (Nike Arrighi) and take them to safety but it is clear Mocata will use all his powers to bring them back, unleashing all sorts of evil to get what he wants.

I don't know, maybe it is just me but the more Hammer horror movies I watch the less I see what is so wonderful about them. This is certainly the case when it comes to "The Devil Rides Out" because there are many which rate it highly including its star Christopher Lee who is reported to have said this was his favourite movie which he starred in. But for me it seems such a slim movie which basically features de Richleau and friend Rex doing battle with what ever Mocata conjures their way. As I have mentioned before I am sure these Hammer movies work well for those who watched them when they first came out but don't have the same power for those who come across them much later.

Now I have already mentioned the slimness of the plot and a couple of twists and mysteries don't really lift it. It is the same with the special effects which also leave much to be desired even when taking in to account that "The Devil Rides Out" is a movie from the late 60s but then I could go on and on about the things which for me don't work including the lack of atmosphere when ever Leon Greene is in a scene. So I will say about the one thing which for me works and that is Christopher Lee getting to play against type for once and doing a good job of playing the hero but doing so in a creepy sort of way. In fact Lee plays the hero in such an entertaining manner that he deserved to play more of these types of roles.

What this all boils down to is that like other Hammer horrors "The Devil Rides Out" doesn't do it for me and found the whole thing too weak to really enjoy. Maybe for those who watched it back in the late 60s will still find it effective but for those approaching it for the first time now it comes up short.


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