One of Hammer's lesser known efforts, The Devil Rides Out is one of the strongest Satanist films in a subgenre that's usually known for powerful films. Unlike a lot of Hammer's efforts, there are no gothic monsters to be seen or, unfortunately, period sets and costumes. The film is based on Dennis Wheatley's novel of the same name and as far as I can remember, is a pretty close interpretation of the book's events.

The story centers around a group of three friends meeting after sometime and finding that one of them has been taken in by a Satanic cult and is soon to be "re-baptized" into the unholy order. The forces of good face everything from old Scratch himself to a giant spider to the Angel of Death, not to mention Mocata and his league of followers.

Christopher Lee gets in a rare turn as a protagonist facing Charles Gray's sinister Mocata, a "high priest" in Satan's service. He brings all the manner and imposing stature of his Dracula character to this role and the result is one of the best hero characters in Hammer's vaunted history.

The Devil Rides Out is a fantastic film that has been overshadowed by Hammer's more famous films. I do suggest you seek it out though, if for nothing other than to see Lee as a good guy. (Red)

Directed By: Terence Fisher.
Written By: Richard Matheson.

Starring: Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Leon Greene, Patrick Mower.