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Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Nike Arrighi, Leon Greene, Patrick Mower ... see more see more... , Rosalyn Landor , Gwen Ffrangcon Davies , Sarah Lawson , Paul Eddington , Russell Waters

Adapted by Richard Matheson from a novel by Dennis Wheatley, The Devil Rides Out admirably adopts a restrained approach to its horrific material. Christopher Lee plays a French nobleman, Duc De Richel... read more read more...eau, who is worried sick over the bizarre behavior of his friend Simon (Patrick Mower). Richeleau has every reason to be concerned: unless drastic measures are taken, Simon will lose his soul to Satan within three days. Two black masses are performed (one a bizarre Felliniesque orgy), but neither satiate the Devil's appetite. As the story races to its climax, it looks as though Richeleau's own niece (Rosalyn Landor) will have to be sacrificed. The film's best moments belong to Charles Gray, playing the charming, hypnotic leader of the devil cult which holds Simon in its thrall. The Devil Rides Out was released in the U.S. as The Devil's Bride. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

75% liked it

2,856 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

14 critics

G, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Terence Fisher

Release Date: January 1, 1968

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DVD Release Date: July 25, 2000

Stats: 215 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (215)


  • January 31, 2011
    It's pace and length were perfect for the weak and boring characters, if the movie was any longer, it probably would have had a lower rating. I just need to sympathize with a character to be able to enjoy a movie.
    But nevertheless, it was entertaining enough to see a movie about... read more a subject that tickles the imagination. I'm probably not giving it the credit it deserves, so if you get a chance to see it, please do.
  • October 9, 2010
    The Devil Rides Out is a great film that has been overshadowed by Hammer's more famous films. With some special effects that might seem laughable today, the film's real treat comes in the form of the performances. Lead satanist Charles Gray's spellbinding glare is only matched ... read moreby the intensity of Christopher Lee and his knowledge of the subject.

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  • December 18, 2009
    A great Horror Classic.
  • November 5, 2008
    Thrilling film. The effects are pretty rubbish by today's standards, but the overall atmosphere of the film really makes up for it. Charles Grey gives an unnerving performance, and Christopher Lee as a hero is far more fitting that one would expect given his usual roles.
    *Spoi... read morelers....*
    There is some overlap in the interpretation of the evil - Mocata says he is a magician (not the rabbit out of the hat kind), and true magic is neither black nor white - which is as far as I'm aware true, but the fact that he's what would properly be called a Satanist means that viewers would probably end up tarring magic practitioners with the same brush. But that can be put down to either the time period it was written in or Mocata trying to mislead people into thinking he's more innocent than he is (especially as the Lee character uses Christian-esque occult magic to defeat the evil). Either way it doesn't really affect enjoyment of the film too much.
  • November 4, 2008
    a really spooky occult thriller with christopher lee trying to save his friends from a coven of witches. charles gray is fantastically evil and may look familiar to bond fans
  • June 16, 2008
    One of the best films Hammer made, this sees the studio casting about for new horror subjects and coming up with an adaptation of Dennis Wheatley's Satanist adventure. Richard Matheson, who had scripted many of the superb Poe films for Roger Corman, was drafted in to write. Lee i... read mores on great form in a rare heroic role and the rest of the cast are good, especially the effortlessly evil Charles Gray as leader of the Satanists. "The Devil Rides Out" is only let down by some - by today's standards - unconvincing effects work, and by the fact that the Black Masses are merely silly when they should be frightening, as they are for instance in Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby", made the same year. This latter problem does not, however, spoil the whole film, as it did the earlier "The Witches".
  • April 18, 2008
    Christopher Lee fights Satan and Blofeld in this Hammer Horror Classic. An obvious influence on Dr. Orpheus in the Venture Brothers.
  • June 24, 2007
    Still a great story and Christopher Lee acts his heart out, though if you want something even better you need to read "The Haunting of Toby Jugg" which is by far the best of Dennis Wheatley's work.
  • January 16, 2011
    Is Dennis Wheatley the Alistair Maclean of horror ?

    This 1968 Hammer horror based on a Dennis Wheatley novel gets off to a sprint start and hardly stops for breath before it hits the finish line. It's amazingly full of magic, effects and action with heavyweight British actors ... read moreChristopher Lee and Charles Gray clearly relishing their on-screen battle of wills and skills. My only complaint is the telegraphed Deus ex machina ending - but the ending of such an exciting film was always likely to be an anticlimax.
  • February 26, 2009
    I have seen so many of these late seventies occult thingies over the years that they seem to blend into one after a while. Ive seen this one but I am buggered if I can remember the plot.....sorry. Im sure it was great though.

Critic Reviews


Variety Staff
December 10, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Fisher's direction makes one of the Satanic orgies a production highspot, aided by some frenzied choreography by David Toguri and apt mood music. Full Review

Howard Thompson
May 10, 2005
Howard Thompson, New York Times

Superstitious moviegoers could do a lot worse. Full Review

Jeremy Heilman
June 28, 2010
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com

With Fisher, arguably the auteur of Hammer Studios, behind the camera, and one of its top stars in front of it, the film works on all levels and truly earns its reputation as a classic of British horror. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
February 4, 2010
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Witty conceptions jolt Terence Fisher's somber surface Full Review

Steve Biodrowski
October 27, 2008
Steve Biodrowski, Cinefantastique

[This] is one of the last fine examples of the classic Hammer Horror style. Full Review

December 10, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

It all sounds silly, but it is directed with a style and flair that create a creepy mood. Full Review

January 26, 2006
Time Out

Over the years, this film's reputation has grown enormously, and its cult status must be as high as any horror movie. Full Review

Leo Goldsmith
November 1, 2004
Leo Goldsmith, Not Coming to a Theater Near You

A curiously self-serious film, almost a message picture about black magic, albeit with great puffs of smoke, a giant spider, and a man in a goat costume Full Review

Eric Henderson
January 29, 2004
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine

Lee seems to be sniffing out the evil. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
October 26, 2003
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

I can't recall Christopher Lee being more animated and more enjoyable to watch. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Devil Rides Out Trivia


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  • What do the Hammer Horror films Dracula, The Devil Rides Out, The Satanic Rites Of Dracula and The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires all have in common?  Answer »

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