The Best Villain In Horror Cinema - Night Of The Demon
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- #nightofthedemon
Jacques Tourneur's Night Of The Demon based on M R James Casting The Runes is one of the great horror movies. Shot in luscious black and white it pits a magician (Niall MacGinnis) against a rational scientist (Dana Andrews) who threatens to debunk and discredit him.
Dr Julian Karswell is one of the great movie villains because he doesn't act like other movie villains and his brand of evil is subtler but also more realistic than the more theatrical kind.
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I've always thought this was Niall Macginnes' FINEST performance on screen.
And one of the very best British horror movies ever made.
I agree.
He did a great job as Zeus in Jason And The Argonauts and in Island Of Terror. He had a small part in Hamlet (starring and directed by Lawrence Olivier), in which Peter Cushing had a part in the film.
Yes, and what a voice!
@@jayaybe1
Indeed
@@garyreid6165
Don't we all love the original 'Harryhausen' JATA !
"I'm not you know. Not a bit."
The best threat ever written/acted.
Absolutely @Zombie Haiku. Understated menace is a wonderful skill, and Niall Maginnis nails it.
"Night of The Demon" was pure nightmare fuel for a kid of 8. Niall MacGinnis was absolutely superb -- an amalgam of Bond villain and an occultist/sorcerer. Jacques Tourneur also directed one of my favorite film noir, "Out Of The Past" (starring Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas and Jane Greer). Thanks Terry, for this review.
My pleasure. Out Of The Past is great. I have an autographed photo of Robert Mitchum in my hallway.
An absolutely fantastic film. I completely agree with your opinion on Karswell ... McGuiness is truly wonderful in this film...
One of my favorites.
Night of the Demon is up there for me as one of my favorite horror movies!
Tourneur was brilliant, doing so much with very little.
This has been one of my favorite horror films since I first saw it on the afternoon movie, back in the '60s. MacGinnis' performance really makes this movie. I love that scene where Karswell gives Holden a demonstration of his power by raising a wind, which in a nice bit of foreshadowing quickly gets out of his control. It's truly remarkable how MacGinnis, standing there in a hobo costume with clown makeup, still manages to perfectly convey his growing unease. One thing I admire about British B's of that era is the level of talent they could call on, actors like MacGinnis, Cyril Cusack, Karel Stepanek and many, many others, who could take roles in movies with pretty threadbare plots and low budgets and still make them look good. (Not that I'm dissing NotD's plot -- far from it.) This would make a great double-feature with 1962's Night of the Eagle (aka Burn, Witch, Burn) which has quite a few points of similarity.
The UK's character actors are always MVPs in movies. Such talents and skills, to this day.
I've always adored this film. So nicely done and with great atmosphere too.
I agree totally.
My favorite horror movie from the 50s and in my all time top 10.Great review
My pleasure.
I thought that the demon looked quite good for 1957 and for the probably low budget. I agree that the evil cult leader was well rounded out.
Imagine that Demon with a bit more budget. That's not a Buffy demon(some Californian with horns.)That's something the size of King Kong that looks truly hideous and on a lower level of Hell than Pinhead.A real fallen Angel.
For me, at least, NOTD is one of those rare films you can never really forget even if you have only seen it once 50 years ago. Always a pleasure to get your insights, Terry!
Thanks, Phil. It's fun to give them.
Peggy Cummins was also quite good. With a very intense stare when she tries to convince Dana Andrews of his danger.
She did great work. Convincing and plausible.
Might sound mad however, there's a remake made by ITV Schools TV just called "Casting Of The Runes" with Iain Cuthbertson as Carswell. I think it was released by "Network" a few years back and has a bonus "Drama Documentary" about M R James as well. It's a contemporary, well 1978, update of the story and done pretty well.
I'm going to have to find that.
Children Of The Stones
@@sidfletcher4955 that is a different television series about an astrophysicist played by gareth thomas, who became Blake of Blake’s 7- and set in Avebury. Very good and on yt.
I first saw Night of the Demon many years ago back to back with the original Village of the Damned and became a huge fan of the performance and atmosphere based horror that produces such memorable characters as Dr. Karswell and such chilling scenes as the climactic school house battle in Village between George Sanders character and the possessed children. Thank you, Terry, for spotlighting so many memorable movies
My pleasure. 😀
This is by far the best old British horror film ever made. Scared the life out of me as a 10 year old kid in the 1970's. I agree with other comments - Niall MacGinnis is 'The Man'.
His portrayal of Karswell is as good as it gets. If ever a film deserved a 4K re-master with subtle, sympathetic use of CGI then this is it. Superb!
I'm not sure the original media is up for 4K enhancement. Sometimes it's not but a really solid and extras-enhanced blu-ray would be welcome.
Like many things on You Tube, I wasn't looking for this film but up it came in my feed. The moment I saw the title I flashed back to 12 year old me. And just like that, a feeling of dread descended upon me. After all those years. I clicked on it immediately and was immersed in the power of the film as I was 57 years before. As it was then, the creature was absolutely terrifying. The acting is exemplary. The atmosphere of foreboding remains intact. I'm going to have to view it again. For me, the most terrifying line in the film remains, "Maybe it's better not to know."
Definitely watch it. Niall Maginnis is truly great as Karswell.
Wonderful film. I love a good Niall Macginnis role.
I own the same version. Worth every penny.
I love how Karswell becomes more stern after removing his clown make up.
Yep, Niall Maginnis was a subtle actor.
One of my very favourites, and began a tradition of genuinely spooky films to come out of the UK, with Village of the Damned, The Night Eagle, The Haunting & The Innocents. All literate, creepy films that hold up today.
Yep suspense and indirect horror work well.
Thanks for the great review, Night of the Demon is also one of my favs. Totally agree on why Karswell is such a great villain. And personally, I'm delighted they showed the demon, as I've always been underwhelmed by the "is the monster real, or just in their minds" gimmick. And man, what a demon, it's still a one of the best put on film. - Finally, it struck me during a recent reviewing that his movie is an ancestor to the The X Files series. :)
I can see that.
I am writing this 3 years after posting.
Great movie.
Another great role for Niall is in the movie “ 42nd Parallel “ where he plays a non-Nazi submariner who gets ship wrecked on Hudson Bay. He’s outstanding in the role .
Yep. 42nd Parallel is great.
The paper Rune gimmick and the "your time allowed" bit is very effective. Dana Andrews was pretty lackluster, until he realized the true nature of what he was dealing with. Only then does his character become interesting. This movie works on several levels including film noir, horror, psychological thriller, monster movie - and with great, memorable lines like, "It's in the trees! It's COMING!!" I love this film, but my wife still thinks it's too goofy. Very surprised no one has remade this movie. Christopher Nolan could do an excellent remake.
Goofy can be fun. It's a solid little horror flick and Nial Maginnis was fantastic.
@@terrytalksmovies Yes, I agree, Nial Maginnis steals the show in every scene he's in! He makes paranormal believable.
This is one of my all-time favorite films. Every element of it is on fire; writing, directing, acting, atmosphere. I even love the dodgy demon puppet FX! Haha
Yep. A classic.
"It's in the trees, it's coming!"
Thank you, Kate!
Here's a recommendation for another film starring the lovely Peggy Cummins, 1950's "Gun Crazy". The robbery scene done from inside a car is great.
Brilliant horror thriller, keeps you on the edge from start to finish and as always it’s the mind that gives you the shivers .
Fantastic acting, great writing and direction and not too much of the demon being shown , but enough to add to the atmosphere.
Great film all round ……
💯 I love it.
The algorithm just spat this at me so I took it in the eyes.
IT'S GREAT!
I had forgotten that this is what your videos were like when I first started watching. Nicely shot & put together. Great content too!
Perhaps there are still vids like this for Patreon patrons. I know - only so many hours, etc. It just stands above hauls and such. No hate.
Happy to accept the feedback, Walt.
One of the 50's best and scariest. Definitely the British cut rules...
The longer the better with some movies.
Enjoyed the review. Spot on about Niall Macginnes . Great performance. Its a real horror masterpiece. I've watched it many times. It dosn't age. I remember watching the films creepy intro as a kid ( before i was ushered off to bed by my mom, because she noticed the look of growing fear on my face) . Two other great horror films from this genre are ' The Haunting (original 1963 )' and 'The Innocents ' 1961. Both truely scary , and well made.
The Haunting and The Innocents work. Also an older film, The Uninvited.
Holy Wow I got This movie a little while ago and after I watched I really enjoyed it a lot I didn't know the special effects where So Wonderful with The Demon!👌
They're kinda cool and not bad for the day.
I totally agree with Kieth F - one of the best British horror movies ever made. Peggy Cummins also played 'Lucy' in the brillant British thriller 'The Hell Drivers' with the great Stanley Baker, Patrick McGoohan (The Prisoner) & William Hartnell - the original Dr. Who among many other worthies.
Night of the Demond deffinetly one of my favourites, a truly creepy feeling throughout the film.
Night of the Demond is worth not just a watch but many a re-watch - it really put me off joining the Carswell Devil Cult.
Yeah, that Karswell mob are just wannabe Alister Crowleys anyway.
Love this film. One of my all time favourite b&w horrors.
Superb villain.
For me, the scary moment is when they are on the train at the end. Holden has to return the runes to Karswell, who is trying to get away from him, knowing what will happen. He drops his guard as he is hurriedly leaving the trai and the other hands him his topcoat. Karswell thanks him, glad to be getting away, then freezes when he realizes what had happened. "You passed them" he says.
Yep. It's a well-designed scene and the actors really nail it.
Right at the very end of the sequence, after Karswell meets the Demon, the railway station clock hand clacks over to show one minute past the deadline. Deadline in the definite sense for Karswell, but the end of the torment for Holden, who walks away.
This is my favourite M R James big screen adaptation. I've always enjoyed the '70's BBC TV adaptations of A Ghost Story for Christmas. Whistle and I'll come to you my Lad with Michael Hodern, the stalls of Barchester with Robert Hardy, Abbott Thomas's treasure etc. M R James adaptations have always attracted high calibre British Actor's even in the modern era. Christmas 2021 Mark Gatiss's TV adaptation of M R James's story The Metzzotint was really enjoyable. James's work is always a little subversive. Mark Gatiss's M R James documentary Ghost writer is an absolute must see for any fans of this movie
All good choices. Thanks for the extra info!
At 4:36 the fellow in the video says, "there isn't a moment when the villain raises his voice in the movie"; well, he does raise his voice when the demon shreds him up!
Screaming doesn't count. 😀
@@terrytalksmovies
Well, that's a fine line with some people between raising their voice and screaming!
Just watched it again recently- wonderful. One of my favourite films. Flaxen Saxon.
It creates its world brilliantly. That's one of the reasons I love it.
@@terrytalksmovies Watched the film as a kid and it scared me then. Watched it last week with my son nearly 60 years later. Although not a particularly scary film, it is skillfully portrayed with great actors, in the main. The monster was a little 'cheesy' by our present standards, but good for the time considering budget constraints. It is on my list as a 'Great Film'. Flaxen Saxon
This film is one of my favourites, I was terrified of the Demon when I first saw him I was about ten, now I think he's quite sweet! I agree you had to see him and a great cast, based on the wonderful M R James story. I have by the way the DVD that you have with both versions but only watch the longer one.
Definitely. It's a good rule of thumb to always watch the longer version of any movie when a choice is offered.
Every time I hear cicadas sing among the trees I think of this movie and look over my shoulder for sinking foot prints
Fun fact: Carswell's home is in fact Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire. A rather nice hotel with a golfing theme.
Lovely. Looks great and it reflects Karswell’s influence.
@@terrytalksmovies Yes, but I don't trust those cats!
I also really like the demon, particularly the close-ups of its face, when is when it looks the best. But even when it looks "puppet-y" (which it does), it's still pretty cool, giving off smoky vapor.
Sublime film - cannot be better. Kate Bush used sample from this film for her Hounds of Love album.
A really unsettling film - looking forward to them releasing this on 4K one day.
I'm just glad there are any quality copies of this one available.
My friend knows Mrs Bush and I got him to ask her as to why she sampled the film, and her simple reply was "Because It's one of her all time fav films." Ah, a women of taste. lol
"It's in the trees! It's coming!"
I saw this on the BBC as a small boy and it's remained a favourite ever since, just beautifully produced and acted., Peggy Cummins was a guest at a re-release a couple of years ago with the British Museum grounds converted into an open air cinema. There is also a fantastic limited edition (10.000 copies) Blu-Ray from Indicator which is a must have.
I'm easing up on my Indicator purchases. Too expensive.
@@terrytalksmovies That limited edition is expensive Terry and will only go up. But there is a basic! blue ray edition that still seems affordable, I wouldn't normally buy these but this film is so special.
I watch it every year! I try to aim it for October. Reminds me a lot of the "A Ghost Story for Christmas" bbc tv movies from the 70's most of which were based on classic ghost stories from the early 1900's. Have you seen those? Scary creepy stuff and lots of talent behind it. You should do some reviews on those! They've brought it back in recent years but I've seen just a few from the revival series. I'm sure loads of ppl in the UK remember them fondly but I don't know if they were ever aired in the U.S. and never got much attention here unfortunately. If only PBS had aired em but I guess that was a no-go.
Another reason why physical media is great for the works that are important tobis. 👍
Thanks Terry. Must watch this one day with the "Truth about Demons" New Zealand flick from 2000 back to back. Big fan of the NZ film as it reminded me of the creepy tv specials on AU tv in the 70's.
I will have to check out Truth About Demons. Thanks.
That's a good one!With Karl Urban shortly before he did Lord of the Rings.It's also known as The Irrefutable Truth About Demons.
My one regret is that you actually see the demon at the end of the film. I would so much prefer the creature to have remained suggestive.
The short story that inspired the film - "Casting the Runes" by M. R. James is excellent.
I disagree. Books and movies are different media and different worlds of storytelling. Suggesting works well in some films but I like the demon in this one. It's the iconic image of the film.
It is an iconic image, for which we can thank Hal Chester and Frank Bevis. The changes were made without Tourneur. Originally Ray Harryhausen was going to do the stop-motion work but he couldn't be spared.
Quite an extraordinary film. It really belongs to MacGinnis; he's wonderful and what I think makes him unique is that he uses his powers, but gives the impression he is afraid of said powers. Andrews gives his usual, somewhat wooden performance but it works with his character in this film.
Yes. That complexity in Karswell is what makes him a fascinating character.
I own the same version of the DVD that you do. THe direct connection to the cat people here is based on the calm rational nature and slow acceptance of something more than seen happing…. Great review!
Thank you. I've loved the movie for a long time.
When I was little, I remember watching Curse Of The Demon on Super 8mm. It showed the highlights and was silent. It scared me silly but I love every minute of it. When I got older I bought the vhs versions on Good Times Home Video and Columbia Pictures Video. The Columbia Pictures version had borrowed parts of Night Of The Demon and added it to the American version. When the DVD came out I had to have it. It is the DVD that you have shown on your video. I watch only Night Of The Demon out of the two.
There was a book out that detailed the production of the film.
The eerily black bombastic and suspenseful score was Clifton Parker’s most powerful.
It had been re-recorded but it wasn’t in the same tempo as it was in the film because the conductor was not Muir Matheson.
The director Jacque Tournuer was royally pissed because of the last minute decision to include the demon. He wanted the film to be a psychological thriller than a horror film. The demon even surprised actor Dana Andrews when he saw the film.
The film Drag Me To Hell was inspired by Night Of The Demon. It was one of Sam Raimi’s favorite films. If you watch closely, you can see the similarities.
“He is most dangerous when he is being pleasant.” Dr. K. T. Kumar
“Let no arm be raised to defend him!”- Mrs. Hobart
“LET IT ESCAPE! LET IT ESCAPE! IT WAS BORN IN FIRE! LET IT DIE IN FIRE!”- Rand Hobart
“Maybe it’s better not to know.”- Joanna Harrington
“What an obstinate young man. I told him not to go through the woods. He just wouldn’t listen.”- Julian Karswell
“And I want to thank you for showing me a world I never thought possible.”- Dr. John Holden
Great review!😎👍❤️
Thank you, my pleasure.
I wonder how much of the performance of Morgan Woodward in 'Star Trek''s 'Dagger of the mind' playing a madman was influenced by Brian Wilde's performance in this movie as Rand Hobart playing the madman.
Who knows?
Rand Hobart's awakening, and swift exit from the hall, are still a shock, even today.
And if you say you didn't jump... I don't believe you.
I must have seen this movie 30+ times now, and it still catches me out. 🤔 😆😆😆
I just watched this as I have the same version. I watched the English version as it's longer and glad I did! That family scene was solid and added some tension and a bit of a knowledge tease. Really good movie to be sure.
I do love Karswell as the main villain, he reminds me a bit of Kevin Stoney's Tobias Vaughn from the 2nd Doctor's story; 'The Invasion', although Tobias does raise his voice; he's so cool, calm, and polite most of the time, that the times he does get angry really stand out.
A low key confident villain is always cooler.
I was a vhs kid in 80s.I watched thousands and thousands of movies at that era.After 35 years(I am 42 now) when i watch your videos i remember my childhood memories, my brain callback all of the tastes and smells with the memories .Thank you.Greetings from Turkey.🇹🇷
Wow, thanks. Glad to have you aboard, Okan.
I think that "Curse" is a better title since the plot is about a curse, not about a single night on which the demon appears.
Or Rune Of The Demon would be even better.
@@terrytalksmovies That's more specific, except most people would have no idea what "rune[s]" means.
The standard story I heard was the director, Jacques Tourneur, did not want to show the demon. The producer, Frank Bevis, did. But I had never heard the details on this, even through there is video of Tourneur talking about this.
When the monster appears, just before it kills someone, there is:
1. high pitch sounds, like produced by bats.
2. white bat like creatures flying in the air.
3. a smoke cloud approaching the victim.
4. a mid distance shot of a 'bicycling' demon slowly be inevitably approaching.
5. a close up of the demo's head.
Question:
Does anyone know what the directory wanted to show?
Just 1 through 4?
Just 1 through 3?
Just 1 and 2?
I have never heard but would like to know.
For my part, I rather liked the 'bicycling' demon but I wonder if the director thought that would be too much.
While I like the movie as it is, I wish we could have seen the version this great director wanted.
My favorite story from the production of the movie was the producer interfering with the director. For the 'witch's storm' scene at the Halloween party, Tourneur wanted a strong wind machine. Bevis stepped in and said a smaller wind machine would be better. The main actor, Dana Andrews stepped in and said that if the producer did not stop interfering with the director he would quit the project on the spot and fly back to Hollywood. The scene was filmed as the director wanted and I think this was the correct decision.
And there is no truth to the rumor that the producer Frank Bevis was the great-grandfather of one of the Bevis and Butthead characters.
The witch storm works really well and the power of it sells Karswell's power.
Imagine this film remade...respecting the source material. Showing the demon as it appears to collect its victims. Absolutely chilling every time I watch this movie
It is creepy. So much done with so little.
I sampled the odd dissonant rattling noise that heralds the appearance of the Demon, and had it as an alert tone on my phone for a long while.
I would note that the runes derive from Germanic and Viking cultures which no doubt came to the British Islands in waves both literal and figurative, but the language of the Celts was different. Their rough analog being Ogham. I would have preferred seeing that instead of the runes given the location.
Movie studios weren't really into historical accuracy in the 1950s, alas.
Brilliant, atmospheric horror film...
It works so well.
One suggestion I have re: the demon is to re-set the playback speed at 50 or 25 percent on YT and just watch the shots the creature is in. British visual effects suffered quite often in the 50's/early 60's from either a lack of high-speed cameras or other limitations (lack of sufficient lighting intensity or other factors) that had scenes involving miniatures (especially when creature puppets were involved) shot at insufficiently slow film rates. I think the far shots of the demon approaching from a distance and the shot of the demon clawing the body as the train zooms by in the foreground look quite a bit better when slowed down, even though this is only synthetically (ie digital frame averaging of slowed-down footage would be needed to smooth out the movement, along with split screen to maintain the speed of the train moving past as originally shot. Just an observation. I know of several directors of the past who didn't necessarily approve of the effects work due to this very problem, along with others, of the special effects for their films and who welcomed the possibility of later fix-ups if it were possible. But, I suppose fixing these sorts of unwanted problems would be met with anger by many film purists. I mention this particular film's slowing down fix just for fun. I don't know if you' care to try to view tho demon scenes in this way, but I'd be curious any thoughts you have about it being slowed down (or course, the shots would have had to be shortened a bit to have thr proper pacing to match the rest of the sequences,:I'm only talking about the shots in isolation.)
Thanks for the talk! Terrific film. Wonderful stuf indeed. It is a real favorite of mine, and I can't say much more about it than you've said here. I couldn't agree more. Plus, I too have no problem with showing the demon. I prefer seeing it to not seeing it. It's only that the effect needed some fine-tuning, in me 'umble opine. ;-7
Tweaking the SFX is a rabbit hole that never ends. I like the movie as it is and yes, it's a fine film.
@@terrytalksmovies I wasn't suggesting that the film be tweaked officially, just that slowing those few shots down demonstrates--at least i think---- the main reason for the "puppet-y" look. I imagine likely no one was totally happy with it, but budget limitations often take precedence over any other considerations. I know I've been faced with that many times and tried to do everything possible to fix a not-quite-finished shot, including using my own money to re-film something when I couldn't get any more money out of the budget. Needless to say, that's not a common practice. I certainly wan't always successful, and thus I cringe at my own work too.
On this film I always thought, since first seeing it in a theater as 9 year old that those shots were near-misses for what could've been truly great.
Well, those are just my thoughts re: your reaction to the puppet-ness of those key shots: i certainly agree with you on that.
Thanks again for covering this film at length. I don't know how I missed it originally.
Now it's THE END.... of my blabbing ;;-)
4:42 when Carswell give that reply that he's not a good loser, his mild mannered voice gets very 'hard'
Yep. Niall Maginnis was a hell of an actor.
@@terrytalksmovies I liked him as Zeus in 'Jason and the Argonauts'.
Excellent video.
Thank you very much! I'm really fond of the movie.
It's a villain face off between karswell, and Mocata in the devil rides out.
Karswell is better written and acted. Mocata (Charles Gray) is underwritten and not at all menacing compared to Niall Maginnis' character, a malevolent mother's boy.
Dear Charles was rather camp. He said Mocata was based on Aleister Crowley.
great review of a terrific film! i swear there were times Dana Andrews seemed drunk for most of his performance, but it still worked cos of what he's going through in the film. Peggy Cummings is great cos she's nobody's fool and isn't played as any sort of victim. One reason it's as good as it is, is of course, director Jacques Tourneur. This would make a fine double bill with Mark Robson's "The 7th Victim" with Tourneur's previous collaborator Val Lewton. On a note of trivia i inadvertently became aware of this film long before seeing it, because of Kate Bush's song "The Hounds of Love" and the sampling of a character, (Clairvoyant Mr. Meeks?) saying "It's in the trees! It's coming!"
The 7th Victim has a great proto-Goth vibe about it.
Excellent video, I'm quite glad to see someone talking about this character I loved so much. Love the movie.
Karswell is so complex and fascinating. It's that banality of evil thing.
Did you know that when Siskel & Ebert were alive , Jay Leno showed them a bunch of stills from movies to challenge them ? Of course S&E got many right but they didn’t know this one . That doesn’t really diminish my opinion of them or their excellent groundbreaking entertaining little show that Siskel and Ebert pioneered but I wonder how could they not know this or have seen this classic ? Nevertheless you know it , Terry , and excellent review
I don't doubt they knew and liked the film. It's a classic.
@@terrytalksmovies You are confusing me with your verbiage . I saw it when it occurred . Siskel and Ebert didn’t know the film or were familiar with the monster/demon . Heck even a layman like me knows the story - thanks to Danny Peary’s Cult Movies - of the Writer and Director not wanting the appearance of the demon and that the cliche “ best left up to the imagination “ reveals too much but the Suits insisted on the appearance . I agree with Peary . The Suits were right I am all for it but I do prefer the cut where the monster demon only appears in the end .
This is a great movie. Definitely watch and many rewatches.
Absolutely. Maginnis is so great as Karswell.
I saw Night Of The Demon as a kid in 1957 .for some odd reason I really, really liked this film & sat thru a double showing. ..it was a Saturday matinee ..it had a creepy but real feel to it. Now I know why after all these years ..It's a CLASSIC..Thank You.
Jacques Tourneur was masterful at suggesting menace.
@@terrytalksmovies I will be getting the DVD with both versions.. again Thanks
@@roberth2627 Enjoy them.
Night of The Demon is one of my favourite horror films.
Another adaptation was the 1968 Casting of The Runes episode of the excellent 1966 to 1970 British tv series Mystery and Imagination. Karswell was played by the actor Robert Eddison (the knight in the tomb from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and the Dana Andrews character was played by British actor John Fraser. Nearly all of the episodes were wiped but there remains a fragment of this episode left.
I watched this series as a kid and there was one episode in particular that scared the s**t out of me, it was the 1966 Lost Hearts from season one. I had to sleep with the light on for weeks after seeing it. Alas, it is one of the wiped episodes.
That's sad. Culture needs to be preserved.
Great video, and opening. You’re making home look spoooooky! I listened to the short story this movie was based on the other day, I really liked it. I like this movie also. I should watch it again.
You really should watch it again.
“Curse” was already one off my favorites when I stumbled into “Night” which certainly filled in some gaps. The wizard’s talks with his mother, the murderer’s family and the extended seance makes it a much superior version. I never minded the demon being seen. I’m not a huge fan of vagueness in horror.
I think vagueness can work if there's ultimately a pay off.
To my way of thinking, 'Night Of The Demon' has THE creepiest séance in all of movie history. It's done so beautifully. The very idea of a séance is anathema to me - but people do believe. The use of varying voices for the medium, is excellent - the small child's voice coming from the mouth of a middle aged
man is nightmare fuel, and strangely obscene, and then, when John Harrington 'comes through' the medium, Mr Meek (Reginald Beckwith) moves as Harrington had when he encountered the Demon, and utters the "It's coming! It's in the trees!" line sampled by Kate Bush, for her 'Hounds Of Love' single.
But in context, it's as creepy as f**k.
I love this movie, if it's not frighning you it's being quirky, giving you a false impression that it's all not real.
The ambiguity is part of the ride. 😀
I like to think that when we see the supernatural elements, we're seeing things from the victims' points of view. We the audience can have our cake and eat it, as we get the big scary demon without contradicting the idea that victims really kill themselves. Or do they? :)
That's a perfectly valid way of seeing the movie.
I mentioned this to someone the other day when we were discussing Sam Raimi's film Drag Me to Hell(which has similarities).
Raimi admitted the influence.
@@terrytalksmovies Ah, yes, I figured it must've been intentional. Good ol' Sam.
The old expression goes- "the Devil is ALWAYS a gentleman"
And that's definately true here, the film presents him as- friendly, out going intelligent, educated,& facinating, yet he has a dangerous charm about him, you sense he offers much, but wants your soul, in return, this is a stand alone unique film, that pre-dates CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED and THE OMEN as a curse type of film. it is also an intelligent film, where nearly all of the original ideas work but one I wasnt keen on the seunce scene& the cherry ripe thing it felt odd & out of place with the rest of the film.
This is the best British super natural film since 1945s THE DEAD OF NIGHT & holds it's own against any of the Hammer films.
Children of the Damned isn't a curse film, it's science fiction but the rest of those films are great.
Agreed I think I said that. but I meant the sense of threat is very similar in style, in that once something dangerous begins to happen, it can't be stopped@@terrytalksmovies
@@nigeldonaldson1647 just like global heating. 🙂
I meant for the sense of...menace, the atmosphere of it all there is a threat then an action@@terrytalksmovies
His...deal with the Devil, is to protect Evil making sure it is not exposed to the masses
for it's time, the Demon of the title is impressive slightly...Godzilla like, but VERY evil, they even show it smouldering with smoke rising off of it, the apparition...ball of smoke is a good introduction to
Some people say the monster should've been hidden but I disagree.
Great film and review!
Thank you! 😀
Terry states that the demon sometimes looked hokey and that that was because the effects were limited to the time. Yet, truth be told, there was nothing in Carpenter's `The Thing' that couldn't have been employed in this move of 20 years earlier. The only aspects that had changed were the imagination of directors, and the creativity of special effects. Carpenter employed puppets, `animatronics,' stop-go, matt print, and lots of petroleum jelly, all of which were available in the 1950's. Even so, I think this is a groundbreaking movie in its own right. On its release in the UK it was given an X-rating, meaning adults only. I suspect that if Carpenter's Thing has been made, the censors of the time would not have considered it fit for public exhibition and refused its rating. We were culturally constrained to wait another 20 years...
Liquid latex wasn't available in the 1950s and a lot of the other prosthetic materials just weren't around.
@@terrytalksmovies Rubber was available in the 1950's so surely latex was, as it's the principle constituent? Even so, Carpenter made much use of genuine offal which was heavily laden with PJ to give it that oozing, gross tackiness. Some of his most creepy effects were achieved by reverse filming. The hatching-out dog, the chest cavity that turned into giant jaws and the runaway head were all within the technical remit of the 1950's. `X-The Unknown' and `The Quatermass Experiment' gave some idea of what could be achieved in the slimy thing department; it just needed someone to think completely our of the box. What was missing was probably Rob Bottin...!
@@tedthesailor172 nope. There was latex but only in large factories. Bespoke latex didn't come in until the late 60s at the earliest.
i texted a cool review on this movie but u tube lost it, so im pissed.Every thing youve said about Night of the Demon i agree with in fact i own the same copy as you, its a favorite of mine also, the atmosphere is great ( pardon my sloppy tex im half blind with a cateract ) IMHO its one of the creepiest ive seen, your videos are vry thought provoking
Thank you. Don't worry about the spelling. Take care. I love Night of the Demon and most of Tourneur's movies.
good review!
Thanks. I love the movie.
Karswell is one of my favorite movie villains, period. Up until the last 10 minutes, he was a more sympathetic character than Holden. I'm also a fan of Tom Baker in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, because, like Karswell, he's a villain who's aware of what he's doing being evil and recognizes that there is a cost for it. I have the same edition of that DVD you held up, and I don't remember there being that much of a difference between the two versions. There are a few extra scenes, but it's not like the demon we see in the beginning isn't in both of them. Then again, I think I saw the British edit first years ago at the Detroit Institute of Art on the big screen. If I had my druthers, I'd have put off actually seeing the demon until the climax, when it attacks Karswell. I definitely preferred the scene where Holden is being chased through the woods by a will-of-the-wisp.
Yeah I see what you say about the demon, but the package as a whole is great.
Thanks again Terry. A thought provoking review. As a student in the 1960s I was a protectionist for 16mm films run by the Students Union here in NZ. These were all 16mm and mostly from USA. So I saw it twice, but as Curse rather than Night. So it seemed to lack something, despite its great credentials. Now I know the fault did not lie with Tourneur. I will try to find the British version and give it another viewing... Eddie.
Worth the effort if you do, Eddie. I much prefer the longer version.
Thanks for this! This is my go-to film to kick off the Halloween season. I recently purchased the blu-ray which also has an odd 8mm version.
I'm glad they show the demon. Karswell reminds me of bond villains in certain ways.
The Blu-Tay has an odd 8mm version as well.
Yeah. It should be in everyone's collection.
New subscriber!
Welcome aboard. Thanks for watching the videos. 😀
My all-time favourite movie, bar none. Has been for many years, and I cannot see that changing any time soon. Everything about it is right. Even the Demon, which does look like a demon from a mediaeval doom painting. True, the rattling, coruscating ball of fire which chases Dr. Holden through the woods at Lufford Hall is better, but the Demon is still deliciously horrid. Niall McGuinness' Karswell is superb - he's a very, very likeable utter bastard - very much like Charles Gray's Mocata, in 1967's 'The Devil Rides Out', and Roger Delgado's portrayal of 'The Master', in early 1970's Doctor Who.
My video this weekend has a movie with Niall Maginnis in it, too.
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Another great video, sir
Thanks, mate.
The main problem with Dana Andrews in this movie is that he does not have as interesting a part as Niall Macginnes. Great movies have the antagonist being more interesting than the protagonist. Dana Andrews was quite good in this movie.
Andrews was good, but Nial Macginnis was something extraordinary.
Can anybody else recognize the similarity between the demon and Gorgo?
A bit. Maybe the demon had sex with a lizard and...
Love the use of the term "Meet Cute", I'd only heard that before in the 2006 film "The Holiday".
Nice movie, except I couldn't accept that Kate Winslet would fall for Jack Black. Now her relationship with Eli Wallach was totally credible, as was Cameron Diaz and Jude Law hitting it off.
As for Night of the Demon, I never miss an opportunity to watch it. It was released the year after I was born, so I enjoy watching the fashions and attitudes of the late 1950s. I've seen pictures of my mum and dad around that time. My dad did wear the big overcoats and a hat, and my mum did have a wasp waist. But I thought the movie did have a great cast, Liam Redmond's accent is so easy to my ear, as I lived in Eire for 8 of the first 16 years of my life.
I could be wrong, but I think in the 1950s, if a British film/movie wanted to sell in America, it had to have an American in the leading a leading role. I'm thinking of Brian Donlevy portraying Quatermass in two late 50s movies.
But Dana Andrews was perfect for his role, and Peggy Cummins is just lovely to look at. Those two clicking is totally credible.
US studios had a lot of profits locked up by European countries including the UK that they couldn’t just move stateside. So they made movies in Europe with US stars, that they could then show in the USA to make onshore profits.
I've loved this movie since I saw it in the 60s. I know exactly what you mean about it
A true classic of horror cinema.
Terry, you say you can't think of a movie from 1957 that you like more ...
You like it more than say Hammer's 1957 release 'Curse of Frankenstein' ?
Listen, I think both 'Curse of Frankenstein' and this movie are brilliant.
But I have to say I just prefer the slightly more brilliant 'Curse of Frankenstein' to the brilliant 'Night of the Demon'.
I might have been swayed by Peter Cushing's performance in 'Curse of Frankenstein' as I think it's the best acting performance I've ever seen in a horror movie. In the final dungeon scene, his heart-wrenching plea for his friend to prove his 'innocence' is truly astonishing !
Peter Cushing was truly a great actor IMO.
Yep but I was expressing a personal opinion.
Terry Talks Movies
Of course ... and there's nowt wrong with that ;-)
The film stand up very well. Australia released by Shock is UK version. Powehouse in Uk has on Blu ray,which has lots extras, including four versions of the film, pre- released 96m, US reissed of 96m and then second disc is the both UK/US of 82 mins. Only for 17.99 pounds. Region Free. Powerhouse i brought all 5 vols of Hammer sets.
Think I'll just keep the DVD dual version and the Cinema Cult.
I agree with the villian in the film. I thought Demon was interesting way it moved. I thought effects were great. I'm happy with the Shock released.
Absolutely, agree 100%
You're very perceptive. 😉😀
Wasn't Niall McGinnis in Island of Terror with Peter Cushing?
He was. He played his real life role: a doctor.
The author Donald Michael Kraig posits that the MacGinnis character is based on Aleister Crowley, who could not fully banish Choronzon of the Abyss, whom he repeatedly attempted to invoke. I've yet to watch the film properly - and thought I'd watch this video first to get a little more background. My eldest son is actually named after Niall MacGinnis - from a film (probably this one) that I saw one Friday night when I was just 13 as part of the Hammer Double bill that used to run on the BBC every Friday night.
Cool
Fantastic movie
I 👍 agree
Sometimes monsters unseen are creepier and its image best left to the imagination.
Yep. Limitations of budget and technology can lead to imaginative solutions to filming issues.
The 7th Victim features one of the best pro Satanic rants ever.
Absolutely. A forgotten gem.
I found that Kate Bush sample !
😎 Cool
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Welcome aboard, David. 🙂
As a twelve year old watching this on TV. I thought the Demon ruled. I wanted to be a giant demon. great. lol
Is it better to show the monster or not? I wouldn't be too quick to question director's Jacques Turneur's judgement. A third version should be made 'Night of the Off Camera Demon'. And find a group who have not seen the movie or know anything about it. Half see one version and the other half see the other. And then judge which group likes it better. In any case, I would like to see the movie following Jacques Turneur's vision and judge for myself.
And when Jacques Turner didn't want the monster, does that mean the distance version (bicycling demon), the close up demon, or both. I personally like the bats, clouds, invisible footsteps and the bicycling demon. And not the close up, too realistic, nothing to the imagination, demon. But I really don't know for sure what Turneur wanted.
I think Tourneur would've liked to make the monster invisible but the demands of the market at the time didn't allow that to prevail.
Daily Motion has a cut posted
Sam Raimi cheekily remade it as drag me to hell. It even ends on a rail station and includes a seance. Night of the Demon is practically my favourite horror film made the year I was born
It's a beautiful film that takes us deep into a weird world from a prosaic one.
@@terrytalksmovies Clapham Junction station near me gets a look in as well for the climax. Many reviewers criticise the addition of the monster but I've always liked it. Keep up the excellent work Terry
Will do!