★ 4 / 10
When wealthy landowner Philippe (David Niven) returns to
dave s
When wealthy landowner Philippe (David Niven) returns to his vineyard in Bordeaux to address the failure of his crop, he is covertly followed by his wife…
When wealthy landowner Philippe (David Niven) returns to his vineyard in Bordeaux to address the failure of his crop, he is covertly followed by his wife (Deborah Kerr) and their two children. Much to her surprise, she soon discovers that her husband is to be the guest of honor at an age-old ceremony of human sacrifice. The premise of Eye of the Devil is fine, but the movie is maddeningly inconsistent throughout. There are individual shots that are wildly effective – a woman walking through the mansion, the shot perfectly framed and eerily lit, creating a genuinely creepy atmosphere. However, these moments are often immediately followed by something that looks like it was shot by a child with a dusty 8mm camera found in their grandfather's attic. Another inconsistency – Kerr is excellent in the lead role, but the rest of the cast walk about in some sort of zombie-state, shuffling about with unblinking eyes. Eye of the Devil isn't all bad, but it's mostly bad.
★ 5 / 10
Stylish but sterile gothic horror Eye of the
Allan C
Stylish but sterile gothic horror Eye of the Devil (1966) **1/2 From director J. Lee Thompson, who had some solid early career action/adventure films with THE…
Stylish but sterile gothic horror
Eye of the Devil (1966) **1/2
From director J. Lee Thompson, who had some solid early career action/adventure films with THE GUNS OF NAVARONE and CAPE FEAR, who later in the 70s and 80s became more of an exploitation film direction with HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, KING SOLOMON’S MINES, and a string of cheesy Charles Bronson films for Cannon Pictures (MURPHY’S LAW, THE EVIL MEN DO, and 10 TO MIDNIGHT being my favorite). I’d read that he lamented not being able to make the same type of smart films he’d made when he was directing films in England, such as this film, which was the first of his British pictures I’d ever seen. The story involves a family with many secrets moving into a spooky old family mansion, which also has many secrets. The film, right from the opening credits, is very stylish with some well-constructed montage sequences, but the film feels more of an exercise in filmmaking and editing than it does storytelling or character development, which is where the film falters. I really did not care about any of the characters or what happened to them. Visually, the film is never boring to watch, but in terms of caring what was happening on screen, I couldn't have cared less. However, the film absolutely comes to life every time Sharon Tate’s seductive, witchy character appears. She completely steals the film in her supporting role. The casting of Deborah Kerr is a fun nod to her classic gothic horror story, THE INNOCENTS, but I found the casting of David Niven distracting, and he seemed out of place in the film, or it may have been that he was just too recognizable of an actor and it took me out of the film. I’m glad I watched this film, and it’s one I may check out again for its foreboding atmosphere and some well-constructed sequences, but in terms of a recommendation, there are a lot better British horror films you should watch before this one.
AI CAPSUL REVIEW:
Eye of the Devil (1966) is a visually striking but emotionally distant gothic horror film from director J. Lee Thompson. While its moody atmosphere, elegant editing, and eerie style impress, the story and characters feel hollow and uninvolving. Sharon Tate steals every scene as a seductive, witchy presence, but David Niven feels miscast and distracting. It’s worth a look for its style and atmosphere, though far from essential among British horror classics.
★ 8 / 10
Good attempt to dance around censorship and norms
Ari V
Good attempt to dance around censorship and norms to help acquaint viewers with the psychologies above them. It's seldom as selfless and innocent as depcted…
Good attempt to dance around censorship and norms to help acquaint viewers with the psychologies above them. It's seldom as selfless and innocent as depcted, however: the black masses, the mind control, the bloodlines, the antiquity and scale of involvement - are all highly pertinent elements. Not to mention the superb and superbly delivered "its our belief in something that makes that thing for a moment, or forever, devine." Let alone future sacrifice Sharon Tate's enchanted and enchanting display. In her first film at that.
56%
AUDIENCE
· 500 ratings
6.1/10
3.8K
