To the Devil a Daughter (1976)

Occasionally I'm in the mood for an occult mystery/horror film like "Bay Cove," "The Devil Rides Out" (AKA "The Devil's Bride"), "Race with the Devil and (to a lesser extent) "Rosemary's Baby," which explains why I recently picked up this 1976 Hammer film "To The Devil A Daughter" (which was Hammer's answer to American horror hits like "The Exorcist" and "Rosemary's Baby"). Hey, with Nastassja Kinski, Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee and Honor Blackman in the cast, how can you go wrong? THE STORY: In London, Richard Widmark plays an occult novelist who is asked to protect a man's daughter, a young nun (Kinski), from a cult of satanists led by a malevolent Christopher Lee, who possesses supernatural powers. They need her for some diabolical ritual. The story is loosely based on the Dennis Wheatley novel. Wheatley was furious with the numerous changes and called the film "obscene." WHAT WORKS: The picture pretty much maintains your interest as the mystery slowly progresses.The London (and Germany) locations are excellent. They seemed to have more money to work with in this regard than most Hammer films. Speaking of Hammer, "To the Devil a Daughter" doesn't FEEL like a Hammer picture at all. Don't get me wrong, I love the unique, colorful ambiance of Hammer films, but this is a nice (and unsuspected) change.For those who care, Kinski is shown completely naked from the front. Unfortunately Lee is also show in the nude, albeit from behind. One thing I never cared to see in my life was Christopher Lee's butt.There's a fairly shocking, obscene "devil baby" sequence. I'm not sure yet if this scene fits or even makes sense (I'll have to see the film again to decide) but they did a good job with the infant F/X, at least for 1976.WHAT DOESN'T WORK: Like I said, the mystery has a fairly good build-up but the ending somehow doesn't work. Yes, they throw in some bizarre things -- the aforementioned "devil baby" scene and a wild satanist orgy (which is more silly than shocking) -- but, I don't know, I was left feeling disappointed. It should have ended with a bang (at least I expect it to), but it doesn't.COMMENTARY: This was Hammer's penultimate film and their final horror picture. Surprisingly, "To the Devil a Daughter" was a hit and made lots of money, at least in Europe, but Hammer Studios had debts to pay and the movie's success couldn't save them.BOTTOM LINE: The film itself is just okay, so I can only barely recommend it to those interested in occult/mystery stories, Hammer and the actors involved. What makes this DVD worth picking up, believe it or not, is the excellent 24-minute "making-of" documentary that discusses the film and the demise of Hammer Studios; it's called "To the Devil... The Death of Hammer." The documentary includes interviews with Lee, Blackman, the director, the producer and many more. It's very informative and entertaining. By all accounts Widmark was arrogant and a real bastage to work with. The Hollywood "star" frequently insulted the English filmmakers (calling the picture a "Micky Mouse production"), walking off the set, arguing, brawling and kicking over expensive equipment (!!). Every aspect of the film is addressed, including changes from the novel, Wheatley's objections, the ending's failure, etc.GRADE: C+

An American occult novelist (Richard Widmark) battles to save the soul of a young nun (Nastassja Kinski) from a group of Satanists, led by an excommunicated priest (Christopher Lee), who plan on using her as the representative of the Devil on Earth.As a White Zombie fan, I was thrilled to hear the Latin of the excommunication scene and finally know where one of their best songs took its clips from. That alone makes the movie satisfying (though it hardly carries the entire film).Despite being a Hammer film and featuring Christopher Lee, the film does not seem well-liked by many people. IMDb rates it below a 6 and Rotten Tomatoes has it holding a 17% approval rating. I feel obligated to defend it, if even just a little bit. I mean, wow, what a truly creepy and disturbing birthing ritual -- the blood, the bondage, Lee's diabolical grin... Oh, and that other ritual...I would say this film is a winner, despite the harsh criticism people seem to have for it. Some parts are a bit slow or bland, but the overall story is interesting and the imagery is fascinating. A lot of work was put into this one.

Having achieved moderate success with its adaptation of The Devil Rides Out, Hammer returned to the Dennis Wheatley well for To The Devil A Daughter, with an established US name in tow to hopefully bolster transatlantic box office, in the shape of Richard Widmark (Christopher Lee would be the baddie on this occasion, having played the heroic Duc de Richlieu in the former offering).And, as with The Devil Rides Out, time has shown Wheatley's work - or, rather, the screen adaptations of them - to be rather turgid and tame. The plot centres around a young woman who is due to be converted into a conduit for evil by a rather unpleasant black magic ring, and Widmark plays the main hero trying to keep her safe, assisted by other less well informed types (ie. spearcarriers fated for nasty ends).The trouble is that much of the movie comprises the two factions jockeying for position - nothing much actually happens. And, when it does happen, it isn't very good. There is a "special effect" of an embryo thingie which is, frankly, ludicrous, and the final showdown involves a video negative/contrast effect, and then - oh, the baddie is gone. Simply disappeared. Not smashed to bits, sucked into a pit, consumed by the demons he was trying to summon - just gone. Talk about your anti climax.No, I'm afraid 35 years' distance doesn't make this a forgotten gem, it just reminds us that it wasn't very good to start off with, but it didn't matter because we didn't have the choice and we were much less demanding.Nastassia Kinski gets her kit off, by the way, and reminds us that fronts were fluffy in 1976.

An occult writer(Richard Widmark)attempts to prevent a young nun(Nastassja Kinski)from falling into the hands of a satanic priest(Christopher Lee)and his heretical religious cult,who plan to use her as the human host for their dark god."To the Devil a Daughter" is Hammer's last theatrically released horror film.The lush photography and memorable performances are the main reasons to see this underrated gem of occult horror.There are some bizarre and highly unsettling dream sequences and a bit of graphic nudity and gore.The childbirth scene is particularly gruesome.Very young 16-year old Nastassja Kinski provides some sleaze and Christopher Lee is gloriously evil as a devilish priest.8 out of 10.