TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER

UK, 1976, 93 minutes, Colour.
Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee, Honor Blackman, Denholm Elliot, Nastassja Kinski.
Directed by Peter Sykes.

Satanism and devil incarnation as bases for horror films
are popular at the moment. Perhaps it reflects the superstition of the times (as a compensation for the loss of religion); perhaps the supranatural elements of folklore and mythology hold a mysterious fascination. Christopher Lee acts as usual as a cold, satanic, excommunicated priest. His adversary is a novelist of the occult, played vigorously by Richard Widmark. In a sense, it is formula material but well done in its way with people like Honour Blackman and Denholm Elliot in support. The Catholic Weekly reviewer said it was for horror connoisseurs - because not everyone wanted to see Bee1ze's Bub! Quite right.

1. Was this a successful horror film, in style and themes?

2. The appeal of horror films for audiences? In the themes, the background of the Devil, evil?

3. The film's presentation of Satanism in the modern world? was it plausible? Real? The comment that 98% is unreal? What of the other 2%? The reality and sickness of Satanism? Its goals and purpose?

4. How plausible was this story? In its plot, contemporary European and London settings? How plausible in its response to realism from the audience?

5. The significance and tone and solemnity of the opening excommunication? Christopher Lee as Father Michael? Seeming a victim? Yet the villain? The significance of his planning for twenty years? The irony and sinister nature Of his convent, plan? The suspense for the working out of his plan? The horror of incarnating the Devil?

6. The details of the way of life in Bavaria, the people involved in Satanism, the doctors, the nuns, Beddoes, his wife? And the contrast then with the modern world of planes and airport terminals, etc.?

7. The film's focus on John Verney? Richard Widmark in this role? As a novelist, his occult background, his relationships to Anne? David? The scenes at the book launching? Beddoes and his intrusion? and Verney's decisions? The motivation for his helping Beddoes?

8. Beddoes as a character. the revelation of his role in the Satanism? His fear, confiding in Verney, shooting the messenger? Father Michael's dominance over him? The spells and his fears? His concern for Katherine? Her role in the film? The gradual revelation of the plot? The flashbacks to her birth? Her fears and dreams, for instance the demon in the mirror? The significance of her nightmare and the birth sequence and their relating of this dream?

9. Comment on the film's detailed portrayal of the occult, the various rites, the power ?even at a distance, the nature of the plan? Did this seem credible? The motives of those involved?

10. The balance of Anne and David as ordinary people? David wanting to get involved? The relationship with John Verney? With Katherine? The violent repercussions of them both? The horror of Anne's death? The ugliness of David's burning?

11. The dramatic aspects of the chase, Beddoes and his pact. the repercussions on Verney and David?

12. Verney's way of countering Satanism? Consulting the Bishop, reading the forbidden books, breaking the spells, etc.?

13. The climax and the atmosphere of the Satanism, the taking over of Katherine? The ugly rites and the succubus atmosphere? The visualising of the Devil as a monstrous child?

14. The dramatics of the final confrontation of Father Michael and Verney? Father Michael and his exercising of power over the various characters, the fact that he could be thwarted, the final thwarting of him? The inevitable rescuing of Katherine? Appropriate for this film?

15. Themes of good and evil, superstition, religion, use and abuse of religion. Power and sexuality? The final quotation from Denis Wheatley and its significance about light and darkness?