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Amazon.co.uk Review
Hammer's To the Devil a Daughter was the last film made by the once great studio. Clearly ailing, Hammer again adapted a novel by Dennis Wheatley, the author behind one of their greatest successes, The Devil Rides Out (1967). Unfortunately for the studio, films such as Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The Exorcist (1973) had, in the intervening decade, radically changed horror cinema. With American star Richard Widmark echoing Gregory Peck's role in the far more polished The Omen (1976), the film seemed, rather than setting the pace as Hammer once had, to be very much jumping on the 1970's occult band-wagon. Christopher Lee is the satanic ex-communicated priest whose coven plan to incarnate the ancient demon Ashteroth, while a supernaturally beautiful Nastassja Kinski demonstrates the same willingness to disrobe as in Cat People (1982). Even so, this lacklustre, misogynistic film couldn't compete with Carrie and Suspiria (both also 1976) and Hammer thereafter concentrated on TV productions. Surprisingly, director Peter Sykes' next film, Jesus (1979), as well as being the most seen and internationally distributed film ever (with an audience of over two billion by 2000), is also the most faithful portrayal of Christ yet committed to celluloid. --Gary S. Dalkin
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Occult novelist John Verney(Richard Widmark) is asked by his friend Harry Beddowes(Denholm Elliot) to look after his daughter Catherine whilst she's in London. What Verney does not know is that a group of Satanists lead by the excommunicated priest Father Michael(Christopher Lee) are desperate to get their hands on Catherine as she is required for a hideous ritual to bring the demon Azaroth back into the world. Soon Verney and his friends are fighting for their lives.
This film, Hammer's last feature length horror, is an excellent adaptation of Dennis Wheatley's novel. It is very tense and quite frightening in places, especially as the forces of evil do have the upper hand for most of the film. Richard Widmark as Verney is terrific, maybe an unlikely choice for many, but he is entirely credible as he begins to understand what a dangerous situation he finds himself in. Christopher Lee is gives a sinister, underplayed performance as the very dangerous Father Michael.
There are a couple of reasons that stop this film from being a classic, the hand puppet emmissary of evil, and a terribly rushed garish ending. Apart from those quibbles, its a very fine film, and it really is a shame that Hammer concentrated solely on television output after this.
A flawed classic. 4 out of 5
This film, Hammer's last feature length horror, is an excellent adaptation of Dennis Wheatley's novel. It is very tense and quite frightening in places, especially as the forces of evil do have the upper hand for most of the film. Richard Widmark as Verney is terrific, maybe an unlikely choice for many, but he is entirely credible as he begins to understand what a dangerous situation he finds himself in. Christopher Lee is gives a sinister, underplayed performance as the very dangerous Father Michael.
There are a couple of reasons that stop this film from being a classic, the hand puppet emmissary of evil, and a terribly rushed garish ending. Apart from those quibbles, its a very fine film, and it really is a shame that Hammer concentrated solely on television output after this.
A flawed classic. 4 out of 5
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having just seen this for the first time I was surprised at just how good it was. Whether those involved realised that it would be the last ever Hammer film I don't know, but it seemed as though a bit more effort was made with this.
Firstly as the previous reviewer stated its an excellent cast and unlike the later Dracula films Christopher Lee has a proper role which makes good use of his screen presence and unique voice. Denholm Elliot is also very good and the rest of the cast do a fine job. In many ways TTDAD resembles 'The Devil Rides Out' because it is also based on a Dennis Wheatley story, but I think the overriding influence was probably Hammers attempt to cash in on the success of the Exorcist and The Omen.
As for the previous reviewers comment about the violence being unacceptable I'm afraid I can't rationally explain this. There is only one scene which can possibly be considered for this and nothing is shown, you only see the after effects (and this is just tomato ketchup). There is a little bit of nudity, but in terms of violence there is nothing here to upset the regular horror film fan. By comparison to a lot of modern horror films this is a restrained and subtle affair.
So overall an enjoyable film which was a fine swan song for Hammer.
Firstly as the previous reviewer stated its an excellent cast and unlike the later Dracula films Christopher Lee has a proper role which makes good use of his screen presence and unique voice. Denholm Elliot is also very good and the rest of the cast do a fine job. In many ways TTDAD resembles 'The Devil Rides Out' because it is also based on a Dennis Wheatley story, but I think the overriding influence was probably Hammers attempt to cash in on the success of the Exorcist and The Omen.
As for the previous reviewers comment about the violence being unacceptable I'm afraid I can't rationally explain this. There is only one scene which can possibly be considered for this and nothing is shown, you only see the after effects (and this is just tomato ketchup). There is a little bit of nudity, but in terms of violence there is nothing here to upset the regular horror film fan. By comparison to a lot of modern horror films this is a restrained and subtle affair.
So overall an enjoyable film which was a fine swan song for Hammer.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I went many years ago with my Grandmother to see this film at the local cinema.I just had to add it to my collection and was very pleased that it has passed the passing years with flying colours.At the time the film suffered from too much agro.See it again and get to like it again like i did.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A mess
Yes folks another non-sensical mess from Hammer.
The two highlights of the film are a) when Honor Blackman leaves it via a knife in the neck, and not a moment too soon... Read more
The two highlights of the film are a) when Honor Blackman leaves it via a knife in the neck, and not a moment too soon... Read more
Published 1 month ago by MrViewer
Not the best hammer film
Not a great film but its certainly not their worst, the script is poor but i thought all the cast performed well not least hammer legend christopher lee but from the beginning the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by PD
Hammer bow out with a good one ..
The end of the Hammer horror era, this film, based on a Dennis Wheatley novel, is definitely one of their best efforts. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Shrewlord
horror.
not the best vehical for christopher lee. its about a cult about children learning satanic ways. not bad . i like horror films but found this a bit of a let down. Read more
Published 12 months ago by scorpio
To the devil a daughter {dvd} 1976.
It falls far short of the dennis wheatley novel on which it is based. To the devil a daughter is a wonderful read full of evil intent. The acting for the most part was decent. Read more
Published 17 months ago by big sam
In like a lion and out like a lamb; Hammer horror, 1955 - 1976...
According to most reference books and fan reviews, To the Devil a Daughter, the very last horror film in the original Hammer cycle, is a terrible movie; badly paced and scripted,... Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2009 by Matthew Mercy
Disappointing
"To the Devil a Daughter" is a late Hammer movie, coproduced with a German production company. The plot involves a satanic priest (Christopher Lee) who is after young Catherine... Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2008 by NoWireHangers
An anti-climactic swansong for Hammer horror
To the Devil a Daughter was Hammer's last horror film, but it makes for a less than grand slice of guignol and pales in comparison to their earlier Dennis Wheatley adaptation, The... Read more
Published on 22 Dec 2007 by Trevor Willsmer
hammer's swansong and not very good.
hammer studios had a chance to finish their prolific output on a high note, with an adaption of dennis wheatley's "to the devil a daughter. Read more
Published on 17 April 2007 by Mr. A. E. Ward Davies
Lacked something
I had grave misgivings about watching this film, as I had read on the British Horror Films site that it was 'a very nasty little number indeed', and I do not like to watch anything... Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2006 by Mrs. S. K. Goffin
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