Rating: 
Summary: Great film gets great DVD presentation.
Review: Columbia/Tristar Home Entertainment are to be highly commended for their classy DVD presentation of one of the best supernatural horror films ever made. This DVD offers the original, full-length British version as well as the abbreviated American version, which runs about 14 mins. shorter. Connoisseurs interested in carefully comparing the two versions are referred to issue # 93 of Video Watchdog magazine, which offers a meticulously detailed list of the exact location, length and content of each deletion made by the American distributors. I should add that both versions look and sound terrific on the DVD, with picture resolution now so clear that when the piece of parchment blows away from the evil Prof. Karswell and he sprints after it down the locomotive corridor, the thin wire holding the parchment aloft is fleetingly visible in some shots. Don't miss this one!!!
Rating:
Summary: Long live Hobart!
Review: This film is not only essential for the collector of 50s classics, but it is truly one of most atmospheric movies of all times. The very tight script wastes nothing in weaving a counterpoint between believer and skeptic, eastern vs. western world philosophy, gender tension, etc. Adding the cut footage of the Hobart family encounter makes the film a true gem, because for years this was missing from the American release and it provides clearer insight into the deeper meaning of the curse. Don't miss your opportunity to get this amazing film!!!
Rating:
Summary: Conjured Perfection
Review: There's not a lot to say about "Curse of the Demon" (well there is, but...). If you've seen it, you know. If you haven't seen it, why not? This excellent DVD release means excuses are over. Buy it, watch it, savor it. They just don't make 'em like this one any more. Dark, brooding, subtle. The writing, acting and direction are just...perfect. The only question is why Columbia opted to package this film as they did. The British "Night of the Demon" is all that was really necessary, and the packaging may mislead the uninitiated into thinking they're getting two different films.
Rating:
Summary: CURSE OF THE DEMON....
Review: I just received this as a gift having shamefully neglected it in DVD form. I saw it years ago but just never picked it up again. I'm dumbfounded at how thoroughly entertaining this film is. It's presented in a beautiful print for one thing but the best thing is the film itself. It's an absolutely engrossing account of an American psychologist Dr.Holden (Dana Andrews) who's an avowed skeptic of the supernatural and his encounter in England with Julian Karswell---who's an avowed practitioner of the Black Arts. Karswell is evil personified yet throws parties for children on his estate dressed as a clown while his mother dishes up home made ice cream! He immediately tries to scare off Holden (who's investigating a colleague's strange death) by summoning up a hell of a storm. But Holden isn't convinced so easily. It will take the full summoning of a demon from hell to even halfway convince Holden that there are powers beyond that of mortal man. There is much to enjoy in this film. The demon itself is terrifying as it comes bounding in slow motion out of a cloud of smoke and fire to rend its' intended victims to shreds. The acting is first-rate and the direction by Jacques Tourneur keeps things tight and moving. There's not a dull moment in this film because it's more than just a horror movie. It's a great excercise in suspense and sheer terror. Much of the credit for that goes to Tourneur for filming this as a film noir and keeping the terror happening at night. I would have to couple this film with "Burn Witch Burn"---another British supernatural horror tale that needs to be on DVD. It too takes skepticism and gives it a good shake. "Curse of the Demon" is a masterwork of expert filmmaking and a collector's treat. Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: It's what you don't see that is often much more frightening
Review: After viewing this movie several times I've upgraded it to 5 stars. However I still agree with the a previous reviewer who criticized the decision by the producers of this movie to show the demon so early. But the overall quality of this movie makes up amply for this one fault, and I'm learning to live with it. I'd say this dvd holds it own with Black Sunday, Castle of Blood and Whip and the Body if that helps you to make your decision, although the settings are significanlty different in this one from those three. This movie at times almost seems like a film noir/supernatural crime drama. The plot logic insofar as the protagnist deals with his dilemma is well thought out and very satisfying. The black and white filmography is very clear, and I don't recall any sound glitches, but I tend to overlook minor audio visual glitches if the story is a good one. This one is.
Rating: 
Summary: It's what you don't see that is often much more frightening
Review: It's not quite as good as Castle of Blood, Black Sunday or the Whip and the Body. I agree with the a previous reviewer who criticized the decision by the producers of this movie to show the demon so early. Originally the writers did not wish this, but they got vetoed. However, despite this faux pas, the movie's overall quality does a lot to make up for this. In many way it has the look and feel of a film noir more than a gothic.I thought that the protagonist's strategy for trying to avoiding his fate was very well thought out within the context of the story's plot logic. Did he? You'll have to buy it and see for yourself. Because of this well-thought strategy (or attempted one) the story had a satisfying and believable ending. I really appreciated the crisp and clear black and white scenes. I agree with so many here who feel that both gothics and film noirs HAVE to be in black and white. Otherwise it just feels wrong somehow. Not one of my top 10, but a worth part of my collection nonetheless.
Rating:
Summary: Classic film has wit, style and intelligent direction/script
Review: Lost amid Hammer films' color horror films and black & white grade Z monster movies, Night of the Demon was a rare bird; it's intelligent script, sharp direction and strong acting make it one of those underappreciated classics of horror cinema. This supernatural thriller is among director Jacques Tournier's best films. Once again Tournier demonstrates that it's what we don't see that can be truly terrifying. Yes, the monster ultimately looks a bit chessy by today's standards (it doesn't help that the image of the monster was added at the insistence of the film's producers over Tournier's objections). It's clearly a puppet but the film's powerful and sharp script overcomes many of the weaker elements of the film. Dana Andrews is a stoic hero and does a decent job but, it's the marvelous performance of Niall McGinnis that really sparkles. He's got an imp's quality and clearly relishes every bit of screen time he's given. Even though he's the villian, he's the most memorable performer. The transfer is sharp and looks great. It's the first time to my knowledge that Night of the Demon has been presented in its correct aspect ratio. A pity that they couldn't locate the trailers for both versions of the film as it would have been preferrable to the trailers included (for such forgettable films as The Bride). An audio commentary from a film scholar or Tourner expert would have helped the film or, perhaps, any stories from any surviving film crew member or performer (although that's unlikely as the film was made over 40 years ago I'm sure they could have located someone). Also, an audio or video essay on this fine film documenting it's history (or, perhaps, even a copy of the original story/screenplay) would also have been nice. Still, it's nice that Columbia did such a nice transfer (particularly when compared to the bare bones DVD's of Horror of Dracula and Curse of Frankenstein that Warner has released within the last year). I also like the fact that the British version and US version is included. I grew up watching the US version was impressed with this classic film when it would show up on late night Creature Features programs.
Rating:
Summary: At Last; the Original Version
Review: Jacques Tourneur, who cut his teeth in the 40s with Val Lewton's "B" horror unit at RKO, making such out of print classics as I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE and THE CAT PEOPLE (and when will someone release the complete RKO Val Lewton series on DVD, I'd like to know??) created a superb film that was then recut by producer Hal Chester, undermining the atmospheric sense of dread in the original. But now you can see the American and the UK version, and judge for yourself. Dana Andrews is colorless as the obligatory US star in a low budget UK production, but Niall McGinnis as his adversary delivers a performance of boldness and daring. Tourneur's production is immaculate throughout; this is one of the classic horror films of all time. Buy immediately; this is an excellent disc.
Rating:
Summary: A forgotten gem of terror.
Review: Based very loosely on M.R. James's story, "The Casting of the Runes", I saw this originally on TV in the 1960's when local stations provided all youthful ghost & ghoul freaks a chance to develop their cinematic tastebuds for good; well, if not good at least fun cinema! On another note, I always found Dana Andrews a much better actor than perhaps he was given credit for, and he's in full command of his role in this. Niall McGinnis (who?) is terrific as the Aleister Crowley inspired evil occultist. Do yourselves a favor, make some popcorn, gather the kids, and grandparents and curl up for a cozy family valued evening to watch "Curse of the Demon"!
Rating:
Summary: I think Dana needs another drink.
Review: One of the all-time greats in the B-movie pantheon. The nitpickers on this review page can pick apart the abundant examples of the lack of financial means all they want to, but I won't join them. The masterly story construction and the creative imagining of scenes overrule the cheapness of the film's production design and its modest ambitions, thereby turning *Night of the Demon* into a fun, shivery delight. (And what are you nitpickers doing, anyway, watching an old B-movie from the 1950's? If special effects are your concern, shouldn't you be watching something of a more modern vintage? Criticizing the lack of high-tech effects in *Demon* is like criticizing the Sun for being yellow -- it's pointless.) The story is basically about the escalating antagonism between an Anton La Vey-prototype Satanist (Niall MacGinnis), disguised as a Country Gentleman with a palatial manse outside London, and a thick-headed American scientist and professional skeptic (Dana Andrews), who spends much of the movie downing one highball after another. One of Andrews' British colleagues has recently died in a presumed "car accident". A postumous diary reveals a connection to demonologist MacGinnis. Foul play? The dead man's niece thinks so, even suggesting MacGinnis conjured a demon to get rid of her uncle. Not Andrews, though: for most of the duration, he dismisses any supernatural connections, monotonously selling rationalism like a bland TV spokesman hawking toothpaste. And so it goes, each scene perfectly building to the next. As I said earlier, the storytelling is truly masterful: no wasted scenes, either in terms of plot or mood. But the real joy of the thing is the painterly composition. Seldom has a "B-movie" been so handsomely mounted. The great director Jacques Tourneur makes great use of the opportunities afforded by being on-location. The shots of local woodlands surrounding MacGinnis' mansion, a desolate Stonehenge, dense London fog, an ordinary hotel corridor, are all rendered with great imagination and creepy effects. And the movie's rather high-browed dialogue adds some amusing sugar to your B-movie cheesecake. -- Now, a word about that monster: Get a grip, people. I mean, if your prefer fake-looking computer animated creatures to fake-looking 10-foot-tall puppet creatures, then by all means. I've seen worse, MUCH worse, than the Demon in this movie . . . and I'm not thinking only of 1950's-era B-monsters. This Demon doesn't look any more ridiculous than the "Balrog" in last year's *Fellowship of the Ring* (which, btw, rather resembled the gargoyle hounds in *Ghostbusters*, but I digress). Once you stop laughing at the Demon, you start to realize he DOES look kind of scary, right in the horned, eye-popping, drooling face. [The DVD features 2 versions of this film: the edited American one, known as *Curse of the Demon*, and the properly uncut British one, *Night of the Demon*. Watch the British version.]
|
