Rating: 
Summary: One of Hammers Best!
Review: With the early Hammer films (Quatermass, Horror of Dracula, Frankenstein) this is surely one of the best features the studio ever made. For once Christopher Lee is cast as the hero, one Duc de Richleau, a change from the usual malevolent characters he always seems to play. The plot is very staightfoward, a friend of the de Richleau becomes involved with an satanic cult, being an expert on such matters he immediately realises the severity of his friends obsession. With the hep of his friend Rex Van Ryn (Leon Greene) they discover that this occult is overseen by Mocata (Charles Gray) and are determined to put a stop to it. Such a plot is the usual staple of B-movie Devil worship shenigans but be prepared for some intelligent filmmaking of this genre. Director Terence Fisher plus Christopher Lee plus a good sreenplay plus good production values always yields a decent movie, this being a very good example. With regards to Mocata (Charles Gray) a particular scene where he attemps to hypnotise his way into the "Safe House" is one of my favorite film moments. Five stars to Anchor Bay for another excellent presentation. The presentation is anamorphically enhanced for widescreen viewing (1.66:1) and with a quite superb 5.1 Dolby Digital remastered soundtrack (Considering it was made in 1968 I suspect some artistic license was used in its production however the JAMES BERNARD score is very vivid and far removed from the usual mono recordings you would get on VHS). As with "Dracula Prince OF Darkness" the commemtary with the film is informative feauring Christopher Lee.
Rating:
Summary: Christopher Lee as the Good Guy?!?!
Review: Yes, Lee stars has a dashing hero battling the sinister dark arts and Satan himself in this unusual flick.
Lee and his companion are guardians of a young ward who gets mixed up in the occult and falls under the spell of Mocata (Charles Gray). Lee realizes his ward's danger and uses his considerable knowledge of the occult to battle Mocata and his minions. Set in 1920s England, this film is different from Hammer usual fare with low-budget special effects and a really cheesy Satan, who exudes bewilderment instead of evil. The orgy scene of the Black Sabbath is moderately amusing. The drive to save the enthusiasm and energy of the young from the false lure of sexual freedom and power promised by Mocata provides for plenty of action and scares. A good flick. Lee should have pursued this character further. The 1920s was awash with occult groups (crowley's comes to mind) and as a dark but heroic and suave protagonist, Lee might have done well. But then we would have lost the Definitive Dracula.
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