The material is thoroughly researched and highly detailed, making him something of an expert on the subject.

Dating back to the 1930s, Wheatley wrote a number of books featuring themes of black magic and the occult. The film is based on Dennis Wheatley’s disturbing novel of the same name and features a screenplay by horror master Richard Matheson ( The Legend of Hell House). Supporting cast members Leon Greene ( Flash Gordon) as Rex, Patrick Mower ( Cry of the Banshee) as Simon and Niké Arrighi ( The Perfume of the Lady in Black) as Tanith all do respectable work but this remains Lee’s finest hour. He underplays the danger and remains pleasant even when promising the arrival of Satan himself. Charles Grey ( The Legacy) fills the position of villain and is disarmingly charming as the quietly evil Mocata. It is rare that Lee gets to play a good guy, but when he does he projects a commanding authority that is just as powerful as his more sinister turns. Though forever linked to Dracula, he has stated in various interviews that this is his favorite role and you can see why. Lee’s performance is so captivating that he elevates the picture to the status of a horror classic. The Devil Rides Out is a highly regarded entry in the Hammer Films canon starring Christopher Lee ( Horror Express) as Nicholas, the Duc de Richleau, a debonair man with a vast knowledge of the dark arts. Nicholas interrupts the ritual, rescuing Simon once again and taking him and Tanith into hiding at a house that will serve as the location for an epic battle of good versus evil. Rex tracks down Tanith for information and learns there is a ceremony planned to re-baptize her and Simon in the name of Satan.

He and Rex carry Simon out and try to protect him, but Mocata is a powerful priest who practices mind control and commands Simon to return. Nicholas suspects something is amiss and discovers that Simon has fallen in with a cult of devil worshipers.

We are introduced to the formal Countess, the lovely young Tanith Carlisle and a charismatic man named Mocata. When Rex returns to England, he and Nicholas pay a visit to Simon, who is hosting a gathering filled with interesting characters. Rex Van Ryn, Simon Aron and Nicholas, the Duc de Richleau, are old friends who have not seen each other in months.

The devil rides out novel