Curse of the Demon + Night of the Demon (Ws) [1958] (REGION 1) (NTSC) [DVD] [US Import]

I've heard Dana Andrews described as "the aging leading man" when refering to this role, but he looks fit, and performs in top shape. The entire supporting British cast is wonderful, and co-star Niall McGinnis, who plays the part of cult leader Karswell, is at first a genteel, likable middle-aged man, even fearful at times, but he is determined in his evil beliefs and acts.

The movie begins with the "accidental death/murder" of a fellow pscychologist of Holden's, which leads to his staunch investigation into the cult and its leader. As he nears the truth, his owned "cursed" life begins to take on a distorted, frightening twist. He is on a countdown to his own murder(literally predicted to the hour and second by his nemisis), by a horrific fire-demon that will tear his soul from his body and carry him to the depths of hell. The movie really picks up pace in the last act, where Dr. Holden and his investigative team interviews an ex-cult member accused of murder while under hypnosis. The horror coming out in the man's testimony, and the following panic-maddened flight into death, leads Holden on his own break-neck-speed flight, to do a final battle of wits with Karswell.

This DVD includes both the shortened American version, "Curse of the Demon", and the longer (better) British version, "Night of the Demon." Both are presented in widescreen. The source print shows little wear or damage, for being such an old film. This is a wonderful, bump-in-the-night thriller. And if the appearance of the demon is dated by todays special effects standards, it is still amazingly well done, and at times frighteningly believable.

While I'm a big fan of M R James I still absolutely love this movie, probably because I saw it first as a teenager, and was intrigued then by the central conceit of the story. Karswell, the dark magician, can summon a demon to murder his victim, but only if the victim unknowingly accepts from Karswell a runic curse carried on a piece of parchment. The climax to the movie, which turns on this maguffin, is one of the best of its kind.

There are many memorable scenes in this film, aside from those where the demon makes an appearance, although these too are genuinely spooky, particularly the accompanying sound and visual effects. Look out for the seance scene, and the scene where Karswell conjures up a storm at the children's party. Fans of Kate Bush may also recognise the cry "It's in the trees" as a sample on her Hounds of Love album.

The villain in M R James' original story was allegedly based on an infamous occultist of the day, and it was rumoured that James wrote the story as a means of defaming this particular individual (whose name escapes me - my apologies). While totally fanciful in the cold light of day, the possibility that the Karswell character may have once existed edges more into the corners of your mind as you watch this film on a cold, winter's night. Enjoy.