MovieChat Forums > The Devil Rides Out Discussion > One of Hammer's Worst!

One of Hammer's Worst!

posted 17 years ago by Master_X_3_1_1
20 replies | jump to latest

It seems like this film is very higly rated, but I thought that this was one of the worst Hammer films that I have seen (The only one I rate lower is "Lust for a Vampire"). Many of the effects were extremely unconvincing, it looked like very little care was given over to atmosphere, and the score was far too overwrought and grating, even by the standards of Horror films from that time period. Also just by the overall way the movie was done it seems like it belongs in 1958 or even earlier, and I think that it must have seemed dated even upon its release. The directing in general also seemed uninspired and lazy at times. I am guessing that this was produced on a very low budget even by Hammer standards, and over a very short amount of time. Good performance by Christopher Lee though.

"No man is just a number"

[–] Xcalat3 16 years ago

I respectfully Disagree I think this is one of Hammer's Best!

great creepy atmosphere

When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth...

[–] wtl471629 16 years ago

I agree Xc. I remember when it was shown originally in theatres. People were coming out of the theatre stunned including myself.

[–] maxzorindresden 16 years ago

Meh.....I'd rather watch the Draculas or Horror Express , at least those had a minimum of excitement.

[–] franzkabuki 16 years ago

It´s one weird bugger of a film to be sure - it actually feels like Ed Wood doing religious propaganda... perhaps to seal the deal with church organizations that were to finance Glen Or Glenda, but backed out upon learning of the subject matter. Maybe this film woulda swayed them.

Either way, the picture is a laugh riot from start to finish, Lee being particularly funny with his dead-serious delivery and booming voice yelling nonsense - he looked and sounded almost as hilarious as Christopher Plummer in Starcrash. The whole affair´s just silly beyond belief, so much so that one could actually mistake it for a Monty Python sketch or something. I mean, is there really anybody out there that finds it scary? I mean, ANYBODY?

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] a_heathen_conceivably 16 years ago

Here's an hilarious synopsis (spoiler alert!) and review: http://britishhorrorfilms.co.uk/devilrides.shtml

One of the worst... or best Hammer's? A. Best (IMHO).

Any excuse just to quote our own dear Ipsissimus (more Brown than Gray):-
"I take full responsibility for what happened. That's why the person who was responsible went immediately."

"Oh look - a lovely spider! And it's eating a butterfly!"
'' ,,

[–] skiop 14 years ago

True. It was pretty horrible, from beginning to end, aside from it being religious propaganda.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] tkurylo 13 years ago

one must be a kid to like this movie.

[–] GrandMoffZ 13 years ago

Sure I can understand that many people would not appreciate this film, but a Hammer fan? Im utterly stunned to see all these negative reviews. Its totally iconic of Terrence Fisher's work! And even Lee himself said it wasnt suppose to be a "horror" but rather it was the first to be about black magic and the like. In fact it was upon Lee's insistence that it be made, and is he not after pretty much the Duke de Richleau in real life?? I noticed too someone said it seemed outdated even for its time, but the book it was based on was written in 1935 - the film just tried to keep the essence of the novel. eh, but to each his own i guess...

"Eventually, they catch everybody." - Snake Plissken

[–] vancleef1980 12 years ago

Are you insane? This is one of their most handsome looking and well made films. Have you seen Scars of Dracula or Horror of Frankenstein? Now they are the worst films Hammer ever made.

[–] sillyspaghetti 13 years ago

It's one of my favourite Hammer films. Glad you enjoyed Sir Christopher's role though - nice to see him play a good guy for once!

"Hey! Ladies! That was fun!"

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] SSteveL 12 years ago

I think it's one of Hammer's best--which isn't saying much, unfortunately.

I enjoyed the cars, Charles Gray, and the depiction of the Devil.

But like other Hammers, the plot was predictable, the lighting was bad, and the dialogue flat and uninteresting. It's diappointing, because as a horror buff I sympathize with Hammer as serious horror filmmakers, and want them to succeed.

[–] Low-Blow-Ho 12 years ago

I respectfully disagree!

I think it's one of his finest!

[–] mam13143 11 years ago

Well done for hammer. Much different than the usual hammer fare, but sadly had the same dreadful music. I guess like the early universal films used the same music too. Luv Charles Gray in anything. The rest of the cast was so-so.