An American occult novelist battles to save the soul of a young girl from a group of Satanists, led by an excommunicated priest, who plan on using her as the representative of the Devil on E... Read allAn American occult novelist battles to save the soul of a young girl from a group of Satanists, led by an excommunicated priest, who plan on using her as the representative of the Devil on Earth.An American occult novelist battles to save the soul of a young girl from a group of Satanists, led by an excommunicated priest, who plan on using her as the representative of the Devil on Earth.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Izabella Telezynska
- Margaret
- (as Isabella Telezynska)
Constantine Gregory
- Kollde
- (as Constantin de Goguel)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBefore Richard Widmark was cast, his role had been offered to Klaus Kinski. He turned it down, stating that he had no issue being in a film where his young daughter was fully naked, but he couldn't guarantee he would remain sober for the duration of filming.
- GoofsWhen David burns alive, the stunt performer's head and hands are clearly covered with a greenish protection headpiece and gloves.
- Quotes
Father Michael Rayner: It is not heresy, and I will not recant!
- Alternate versionsThree versions are available, partly depending on what country you are in and what medium you watch it in. Runtimes are "1h 33m (93 min), 1h 31m (91 min) (Germany), 1h 35m (95 min) (United States)".
- ConnectionsFeatured in Terror on Tape (1985)
Featured review
To the Devil...the death of Hammer.
Occult novelist John Verney (veteran American star Richard Widmark) has his hands full. He has to keep safe the daughter (Nastassja Kinski) of an associate (Denholm Elliott). You see, eighteen years ago Elliott made an unholy pact, and now the girl is intended for use in something depraved by heretic priest Father Michael Raynor (Sir Christopher Lee).
At the time, this was the final theatrical horror film for Britains' renowned Hammer Studios. It was actually pretty successful, but the studio was simply too much in debt to completely reap the benefits. Based on the novel by Dennis Wheatley, it's a commendably low-key, restrained film, with occasional moments of violence / gore as well as cheesiness. As directed by Peter Sykes, the film has the potential to bore some members of the audience, but it's generally got enough interesting material in it to make it palatable.
The cast provides the principal value. Widmark at first seems really out of place, but he does a solid job. Lee delivers what is one of his all-time best villainous performances for Hammer. The supporting cast is pretty eclectic: Honor Blackman, Michael Goodliffe, Eva Maria Meineke, Anthony Valentine, Derek Francis, Frances de la Tour, etc. However, many eyes will be on Kinski, in one of her earliest roles; she does convey an essential naivety and innocence, and the audience will automatically be on her side. Those who are interested should note that she has a controversial few seconds' worth of full frontal nudity near the end.
Although not on the level of another Wheatley shocker ("The Devil Rides Out") produced by Hammer, this does show its viewers a fairly good time, operating with its approach of subtlety. One problem, however, is the ending, which is over too quickly, and robs us of real satisfaction.
All things considered, Hammer could easily have signed off with a much worse horror film. This, at least, is generally compelling.
Seven out of 10.
At the time, this was the final theatrical horror film for Britains' renowned Hammer Studios. It was actually pretty successful, but the studio was simply too much in debt to completely reap the benefits. Based on the novel by Dennis Wheatley, it's a commendably low-key, restrained film, with occasional moments of violence / gore as well as cheesiness. As directed by Peter Sykes, the film has the potential to bore some members of the audience, but it's generally got enough interesting material in it to make it palatable.
The cast provides the principal value. Widmark at first seems really out of place, but he does a solid job. Lee delivers what is one of his all-time best villainous performances for Hammer. The supporting cast is pretty eclectic: Honor Blackman, Michael Goodliffe, Eva Maria Meineke, Anthony Valentine, Derek Francis, Frances de la Tour, etc. However, many eyes will be on Kinski, in one of her earliest roles; she does convey an essential naivety and innocence, and the audience will automatically be on her side. Those who are interested should note that she has a controversial few seconds' worth of full frontal nudity near the end.
Although not on the level of another Wheatley shocker ("The Devil Rides Out") produced by Hammer, this does show its viewers a fairly good time, operating with its approach of subtlety. One problem, however, is the ending, which is over too quickly, and robs us of real satisfaction.
All things considered, Hammer could easily have signed off with a much worse horror film. This, at least, is generally compelling.
Seven out of 10.
- Hey_Sweden
- Apr 23, 2019
- Permalink
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Details
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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By what name was To the Devil a Daughter (1976) officially released in India in English?
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