Product: The Devil's Bride [VHS] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
A Classic Film Adaptation of Wheatley's Tale of Black Magic and Satanism.
_The Devil Rides Out_ (1968), made by Hammer Film Productions, is an adaptation of the 1934 Dennis Wheatley novel by the same name, which features a confrontation between the forces of darkness and those of light. The film stars Christopher Lee as the Duc de Richleau, the main character in the novel and practicioner of white magic. The rest of the cast includes Charles Gray as the black magician Mocata, Nike Arrighi as Tanith, Leon Greene as Rex Van Ryn, Patrick Mower as Simon Aron, Sarah Lawson as Marie Eaton, Paul Eddington as Richard Eaton, and Rosalyn Landor as Peggy Eaton. The film takes place in 1930s London and begins with the Duc de Richleau and Rex Van Ryn paying a visit to their friend Simon. It turns out that Simon has involved himself in a black magic ritual and together the Duc and Rex decide to rescue him along with the girl Tanith who they meet at his house. While there they encounter a demon, but the Duc effectively destroys it with a crucifix after telling Rex to avoid eye contact. Then, the Duc manages to knock out Simon and together with Rex they take him back to the home of the Duc de Richleau. Thus, begins the action as the Duc attempts to combat the forces of evil represented by Mocata, the lead black magician. Simon manages to escape and Rex decides to visit Tanith and take her away to the home of the Eatons. However, Tanith escapes and together with Simon they participate in a Sabbat in which the Goat of Mendes appears. The Duc and Rex manage to destroy the Goat of Mendes with a crucifix and thus take Tanith and Simon back to them. However, Mocata is to pay a visit Marie Eaton and demonstrates his hypnotic powers. Further, under extreme duress Tanith attempts to kill Rex so must be taken and tied up to avoid further danger. At this point, the Duc creates a magic circle and various demons including the angel of death appear. Tanith dies when the angel of death returns empty-handed. Further, Peggy is taken by Mocata to be used in his rites. The rest of the story unfolds as the group tries to re-capture Peggy and things may not be what they seem for Tanith either.This film is a good adaptation of the novel by Dennis Wheatley. Wheatley is perhaps best known for his occult thriller novels and this film effectively shows the dangers of tampering in black magic. As such this film is recommended to those who enjoyed the novel.