The Devil Rides Out (1968)

The Devil Rides Out (known as The Devils Bride in America) was produced by Hammer Films in 1968 in full color and is another horror film which is based on a novel written  in 1934 by Dennis Wheatley. The movie is set in 1930s London and the South of England and directed by Terence Fifsher who worked for Hammer Films and the first film he ever directed was The Curse Of Frankenstein 1957 which was

the start of the top British Hammer stars Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, Christopher Lee plays the role of Duc in "The Devil  Rides out" who is seen to the left.
The Devil Rides Out opens with what I personally believe is poor Mise En Scene of a open field. Set in beautiful countryside where the birds are singing to add to a really calm atmosphere ontop of sound orchestra, we see a plane landing. Rex leaves the plane and greets Nicholas. Straight away the story starts and we are told that simon (their brother) has been missing for quite some time and this is "unusual" Simon is quickly found within the first 5 minutes of the film. Simon is found in a meeting hall with Tamith and Mr McCarter. in the meeting hall we are given clues to what is to happen such as "This isnt a normal meeting" said by rex and Tamith says "When did you join this group" and "Surely we are not ment to be more than 13" from this line of narrative it looks as though Duc is immediately aware what is going on by the shock on his face and the

way that he quickly turns towards Tanith once she says this. Unlike Frankenstein and other old horror movies there is no hand held shots throughout the film.
We are first told that Simon has been meddling with magic, in fact just under 10 minutes into the film. Duc hears rustling noises inside the meeting room, the sound orchestra start to build up pace to increase tension and Duc quickly opens a box inside a wardrobe. Simon pounces on the box with a good camera angle from inside the wardrobe to stop Duc from looking inside. Duc forces simon of the box then opens it finding 2 chickens which we later find out are the ......... Simon is punched in the face by Duc which knocks him out then carried out of the house and home safely.
Hypnosis occurs very oftenly during the film, by both Duc Nicholas and Mr Mcarther. During Hypnosis alot of extreme close ups are shot of the actors eye's. My favorite hypnosis
 scene throughout the whole film is when Mr Mcarther hypnotizes Mrs Eden in her house which is below



This is my favorite hypnosis scene due to the use of camera angles, the narrative (dialogue) and sound and the ways of which they work so well together and with the scene. Synth sound effects are used throughout the scene which has brilliant effect on the scene being very quiet and barely noticeable they make the dialogue seem clearer and louder. tracking shots are used tracking very slowly towards the eyes of the actor almost making the audience move to the edge of there seat. The acting by both actors is also tremendous throughout this scene as well as fine editing to make it seem very real. when Mr Mcarther starts to hypnotize Tanith from downstairs during this scene the camera sweeps from a high angle (from upstairs) down to Mr Mcarther almost symbolizing the movement of Tanith's eyes.
the film finishes ironically "twice". 20 minutes before the ending the Duc says its all over and we hear birds singing and soft orchestral music. the audience believe everything is now okay and the movie is finishing however Mr Mcarther has stolen peggy (the young girl) and has taken her to his house among with other devil worshipers to sacrifice her for Tanith back. Tanith however saves the girl in the form of a spirit and tells peggy to read out the last two lines of the ritual which destroys everything bad in the room. a big lightning bolt hits the room with special effects.