Eye of the Devil (1966)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Robin Estridge (novel) and
Dennis Murphy (writer)

Release Date:

July 1966 (UK)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

we've got your number!

Plot:

Vineyard owner marquis Philippe de Montfaucon is called back to his castle Bellenac because of another dry season...

Plot Keywords:

Vineyard | Pagan | Pagan Cult | Estate | Aristocrat

Cast

Deborah Kerr	...	Catherine de Montfaucon
David Niven	...	Philippe de Montfaucon
Donald Pleasence	...	Pere Dominic
Edward Mulhare	...	Jean-Claude Ibert
Flora Robson	...	Countess Estell
Emlyn Williams	...	Alain de Montfaucon
Sharon Tate	...	Odile de Caray
David Hemmings	...	Christian de Caray
John Le Mesurier	...	Dr. Monnet
Michael Miller	...	Grandec
Donald Bisset	...	Rennard
Pauline Letts	...	Servant
Robert Duncan	...	Jacques de Montfaucon
Suky Appleby	...	Antoinette de Montfaucon

Also Known As:

13
Cerimonia per un delitto (Italy) [it]
Det djävulska ögat (Sweden) [sv]
Det ondes magt (Denmark) [da]
Die schwarze 13 (West Germany) [de]
Die schwarze Dreizehn (West Germany) [de]
El ojo del diablo (Spain) [es]
Het oog van de duivel (Belgium: Flemish title) (poster title) [un]
L'oeil du malin (France) [fr]
Le mystère des 13 (France) (dubbed version) [fr]
Le mystère des treize (Belgium: French title) (poster title) [fr]
Pahan silmä (Finland) [fi]
Ta 13 matia tou Satana (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

92 min | USA:96 min (TCM print)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) | Mono

Certification:

Norway:16 (1967) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:X

Filming Locations:

Château de Hautefort, Dordogne, France

Company:

Filmways Pictures

Trivia:

Sidney J. Furie and Michael Anderson (I) were originally approached to direct the film.

Movie Connections:

Featured in All Eyes on Sharon Tate (1967)

Uneven but effective chiller.

Historically speaking this film serves as an invaluable precursor to Anthony Shaffer's ingenious THE WICKER MAN, starring Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee. Taken on its own, however, EYE OF THE DEVIL is an effective but wildly uneven film.

The story deals with a wealthy French nobleman (David Niven) who is called back to his ancestral castle when the crops fail. Due to his erratic behavior regarding this summons, wife Deborah Kerr becomes increasingly worried about Niven's safety. Against his orders, Kerr takes her children to his ancestral castle, where she witnesses many strange and eerie religious rites. The question then becomes, will Kerr be able to rescue Niven from a ritual sacrifice, and -- indeed -- does he wish to be saved?

Owing to its erratic production history, it's not surprising that EYE OF THE DEVIL is a bit rough around the edges. The story is obtuse, and the characters under-developed, but director J. Lee Thompson employs an intriguingly arty approach that keeps one alert throughout. Thompson makes excellent use of Ernest Haller's mobil camerawork, most notably in a memorable race-against-the-clock climax. Additionally, the score is excellent, and the cast is well above average for this sort of thing. In the lead roles, Kerr and Niven are effective and restrained, but it is the supporting cast that really impresses: Donald Pleasence, his head shave completely bald, as a sinsiter cleric; David Hemmings as a seemingly evil youth; and especially Sharon Tate as Hemmings' enchantingly sensual/wicked sister.

In the end, EYE OF THE DEVIL cannot be considered a great film. It is, however, an above average diabolical thriller, and as such can be recommended to horror fans. My rating: *** out of ****