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Horror in Black and White: ‘Eye of the Devil’ (1966)
Eye of the Devil, written by Robin Estridge and Dennis Murphy and directed by J. Lee Thompson (Cape FearĀ [1962]), was one of those films that seemed troubled from the start.
Based on a novel written by Estridge under the pen name “Philip Loraine”, the film tells the story of Phillipe de Montfaucon (David Niven), a marquis and vintner, who must return to his family’s estates in Bellenac when their vineyards have failed for the third year in a row.
He leaves his wife Catherine (Deborah Kerr) in Paris with their children, Jacques and Antoinette, with instructions that they are not to come to Bellenac for any reason. However, after he has been gone for a few days, young Jacques begins to exhibit strange behavior and Catherine decides they must be with Phillipe.
Little does she know that the denizens of Bellenac follow very old traditions, and that one of those beliefs entails the willing sacrifice of the Marquis in order to save the dying fields.
The film had an amazing cast alongside Kerr and Niven.
Donald Pleasance (Halloween) appears as Pere Dominic the local priest who may or may not be involved in the pagan rituals. Pleasance is at his subtle and most understated best in the role, and his performance is more than worth the price of admission!
The oh-so-handsome David Hemmings (Deep Red) and the bewitching Sharon Tate (The Fearless Vampire Killers) draw focus in almost every scene they appear in as siblings Christian and Odile de Caray.
It was Tate’s feature film debut. Sadly, she would be brutally murdered only three years later at the age of 26 by members of Charles Manson’s cult.
Eyes of the DevilĀ is genuinely spooky with an excellent score by Gary McFarland and it makes beautiful use of black and white photography at a time when monochromatic films were beginning to be the exception rather than the norm.
There is a particularly beautiful scene where Kerr finds herself in the forest near an old family mausoleum. As she decides to go back home a hooded figure in dark robes steps from the shadows of a tree. That figure is joined by another and another and another, the dark black of the robes standing out against the grays around them as they circle her and begin to close in.
The scene was terrifying and all the more so because of those gray and black contrasts.
As I mentioned earlier, however, the film seemed plagued by issues from the very beginning.
Michael Anderson, who would later directĀ Logan’s Run, was originally tapped to direct the film but due to scheduling constraints and rumored disagreements with the studio, he was replaced with Thompson. Thompson completed the film, but Sidney J. Furie and Arthur Hiller were both brought on to film additional scenes for the final production.
Kim Novak (Bell, Book, and Candle) who was originally cast in the role of Catherine had to leave the production after a few weeks of shooting supposedly because of an injury she sustained when she fell from a horse.
Hemmings would later write in his autobiography, however, that she was fired from the production after she argued with one of the producers when he discovered that she and the younger actor were having an affair.
Whatever the reason, Novak was gone, and while Kerr was brought on quickly to take over the role, all of the previously filmed scenes with Novak had to be thrown out and re-shot.
After its completion, it seemed that MGM was uncertain how to market it, or perhaps they were afraid of how audiences might react to the film’s themes of witchcraft, human sacrifice, and pagan rituals.
The film was completed in early 1966, but it was late 1967 before it saw a release in the U.S. and it was not until the spring of 1968 that it finally made its way onto screens in the UK.
Unfortunately for the studios, the film’s initial release was not a great success, though it did enjoy more popularity in Europe. However, after Tate’s death, demand to see the film grew and it soon found its fan base in the States, as well.
Interestingly enough, after viewing, you can see the film’s influence on other films that followed it.Ā
The Wicker Man, which was released almost seven years afterĀ Eye of the DevilĀ was completed, immediately springs to mind after one particular scene involving a strange parade through Bellenac with dancers and oddly costumed citizens.Ā
Eye of the DevilĀ still holds up as a classic chiller with only one really problematic scene by contemporary standards. When it is discovered that Odile has tried to murder Catherine, Phillipe whips her with a horsewhip and she writhes with seemingly simultaneous pain and pleasure at her punishment.
While it is very effective, modern audiences, outside of theĀ 50 Shades community, may find the scene difficult to watch.
Still, overall, this is a film that bears watching. Its rich landscapes, shot on location in France, along with phenomenal performances by its leading and supporting cast make it a film you won’t soon forget.
Eye of the DevilĀ is available for rent on both Amazon and Vudu for only $2.99.
Join us next week for another installment of Horror in Black and White. If you missed last week’s coverage ofĀ The Old Dark House, click here to check it out!
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Movies
Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed
The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.
Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.
The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.
Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”
Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.
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News
Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.
The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.
“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.
Fans can enter to win by followingĀ Spirit Halloween‘s InstagramĀ and leaving a comment on the contest post from now throughĀ April 28.
The prize also includes:
An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings
A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear
A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room
A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course
The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II
Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two
“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”
Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.
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Movies
’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power
Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer,Ā Aaron Taylor-Johnson,Ā andĀ Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.
Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.
Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.
There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.
The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.
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