This is a very cheap film. Acting is terrible and the story is just silly. It is so silly that it made me laugh many times. In the end, it even tries to convert its viewers to Jesus. Ridiculous.

...except neither of them seem too keen on being either saved or Satan's disciples to the point that I could never figure out why head demon worshiper Mocata (Charles Grey) wanted two such wishy washy people as disciples so badly. They would have been the most off key singers in the coven, spiritually speaking.Lee here is magnificent and commanding in the role of Duc de Richleau, in which a routine visit to see his young friend Simon Aron turns into a battle for his soul. Richleau was not initially interested in saving Tanith Carlyle, but his friend Rex is smitten with her, so along she comes. I mean honestly. Rex has looks, intelligence, charm, and money, and he falls deeply in love with a woman marked for Satanic possession after conversation that amounts to a simple "hello"? Richleau enlists the help of his niece and nephew-in-law in protecting his double minded duo of demonic disciples when the real assault by demonic forces summed up by Mocata comes. The horror works well because it keeps the visible effects simple so that they do not look hokey today, and it keeps the suspense high so you can use your imagination as to what you are not seeing.The only thing is, I couldn't figure out how Richleau remembered all of those chants and all of those rules. I did not get the impression this was his life work, yet he has a chant and a charm for every situation. Recommended if you are seeking some of the best in Hammer horror and you get to see Christopher Lee as hero rather than villain for a change.

For fans of old roadsters, circa 1925, and one lane English country roads, the movie's a gold mine. I love the driving here and there in those stylish old flivvers. I guess drivers didn't have to worry about oncoming traffic or they'd just pull off into a field if they met any. It's an okay horror flick, heavier on the mumbo-jumbo than blood and guts. The Duc (Lee) has to protect his circle of family and friends from an assault by the satanic Mocata (Gray) and his coven of devil worshipers. Good thing the Duc knows the right moves, whether invocations, symbols, or where to look.What atmosphere the horror flick has comes mainly from staging rather than lighting, which is mostly high-key Technicolor. I can't help thinking b&w with proper shading would have lent more menace. Then too, the commanding Lee would definitely have projected more menace as Satan's henchman than the rather dull Charles Gray. But maybe Lee was tired playing evil types, besides the good guy here has to have Lee- type gravitas to go one-on-one with the forces of darkness.I guess the movie's high-point (outside of the sudden slam-bang climax) would be when the coven goes party crazy. Too bad they don't doff their robes and go for an orgy, which I suspect is what the movie-makers would have preferred. Oh well, we get the idea, anyway. At times the various black magic-white magic maneuverings are hard to follow, the script not being heavy on exposition. Still, the production's slickly done and doesn't drag, with a wrap-up that should please church-goers.

Reportedly the personal favourite Hammer film for star Sir Christopher Lee, "The Devil Rides Out" is a marvelous outing for the studio. Adapted by Richard Matheson from the novel by Dennis Wheatley, it stars Sir Christopher as Duc de Richleau. Richleau, also known as Nicholas, is concerned when his younger friend Simon Aron (Patrick Mower) doesn't show up for a reunion with Nicholas and their other pal, Rex Van Ryn (Leon Greene). They learn that Simon has become involved with a demonic cult, led by the coldly charismatic Mocata (Charles Gray). It's a good thing for Simon - and the comely young Tanith (Nike Arrighi) - that Nicholas is on the case, because he's extremely knowledgeable about the occult and keeps a cool head in the face of danger.It's a treat to see the legendary Sir Christopher in one of his most purely heroic roles. He speaks his lines with such sincerity and absolute authority that one can't help but be completely absorbed in his words. He's just the kind of hero you need in this kind of situation. Although he's actually dubbed by another Hammer actor, Patrick Allen, Greene is reasonably engaging as Nicholas's friend. Arrighi is a pretty lady but alas is also pretty stiff. The rest of the supporting cast *is* superb, however, with the striking Gwen Ffrangcon Davies cast as the Countess, and a delightfully sinister Gray - known for his roles in such things as "Diamonds are Forever" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" - provides the film with a very effective villain. His one big scene has him subtly seducing / hypnotizing Nicholas's niece Marie Eaton (Sarah Lawson). Like Sir Christopher, Gray has the ability to have you hanging on his every word.This is an intelligent, involving horror story that has some memorable scare moments. The special effects are, on occasion, rather ropey, but they never detract from the entertainment value of this tale. Terence Fishers' direction is typically meticulous, and James Bernard concocted a thunderous, insistent score that serves as dramatic punctuation on the action.One of the finest of all Hammer films.Eight out of 10.