A nice idea that never really seems to come to life as a film. From the earliest scene it looks as if Christopher Lee is on form and indeed despite all others floundering around him and dire dialogue dominating, he rises above it all and probably gives one of his best performances. But, this cannot be said of everyone. I have to imagine that the real problem here is a lacklustre script. If Honor Blackman comes across badly, you have to blame someone. I understand that Patrick Widmark upset just about everyone involved in the film so I guess that explains a lot and it seems here just wasn't enough money for anyone to grab this by the scruff of the neck and shake some life into it. Natasha Kinski is very effective and wanders innocently about, at least on the same wavelength as Lee, seemingly as happy dressed as a nun, laid out on the alter or completely naked and she was only fifteen. The film has its moments and Widmark is effective its just that the looming disaster doesn't really seem to permeate the walls of the lovely flat overlooking a recently refurbished St Katherine's Dock in London nor the various church interiors, perhaps they should have stuck to studio sets.

This film started out well, with great photography, color, and locations that were sorely lacking in the other 70's Hammer films, and an interesting premise, but decides to become a gore fest with the interminably long "birth scene", which I think derails the whole film. It also is intercut with other long sequences so you can't really turn your eyes away. It seems that Hammer thought the reason the Exorcist was a huge hit was because of its shocking scenes. The difference is that the Exorcist had a compelling plot, and the scenes with Regan shocked you, but it was not overdone and worked with the film. Also Regans life was saved because of a priest sacrificing his own, which gives the audience a hero. In this film, a rock is a hero. It seems Hammer lost its bearing with this one, and I am surprised the Lee agreed to be in this film at this point of his career. Ashamed, it could have been great with a better script.

This is the final horror film from the legendary Hammer Studios in England. It is in the same vein as Rosemary's Baby and The Omen. This film has some problems and is not in the same class or quality of either of those films. It is however, in the same genre of satanic themed horror. This was a large budget movie for Hammer, but it required much more time and money to tackle Dennis Wheatley's novel properly. With limited budgets and time, director Peter Sykes tried to make the best film he could. I feel a large amount of material that would have made the story flow better was cut out and some substandard material was quickly thrown together to try and replace it. The story was set in contemporary London and some of the sequences were shot in Germany as well, which gives it a different feel from the old Hammer sets and Gothic style. The film itself looks good and is beautifully shot. The score is also effective as it provides a sinister ambiance as well. The cast is excellent and I will provide no complaints about the quality of acting in this production. Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee, Denholm Elliot and Klaus Kinski's gorgeous and talented daughter Natassja Kinski round up the principal cast. The lovely Natassja gets naked for us also, which is a treat. This production has more blood and nudity than the usual Hammer production. But there are certain scenes that come across as cheesy that don't match up to the rest of the film. There are some scenes that would be more effective if less was shone. Some of the special f/x flat out look like crap and don't belong in a film where everything else seems to be taken seriously. The cast however is awesome, especially Christopher Lee. His presence and power as an actor is immense and one of a kind. He really brings menace and pure evil to diabolical heretic priest Father Michael. To The Devil...A Daughter is a very flawed production, but still has enough good stuff to entertain most horror fans.

An occult writer(Richard Widmark)attempts to prevent a young nun(Nastassja Kinski)from falling into the hands of a satanic priest(Christopher Lee)and his heretical religious cult,who plan to use her as the human host for their dark god."To the Devil a Daughter" is Hammer's last theatrically released horror film.The lush photography and memorable performances are the main reasons to see this underrated gem of occult horror.There are some bizarre and highly unsettling dream sequences and a bit of graphic nudity and gore.The childbirth scene is particularly gruesome.Very young 16-year old Nastassja Kinski provides some sleaze and Christopher Lee is gloriously evil as a devilish priest.8 out of 10.