Review of Eye of the Devil (1966) by Nelson C — 22 Mar 2011

Philippe is hiding something from his wife Catherine. She's suspicious of his behavior, but is also worried about him. Something is wrong, something awful. Philippe returns to Ballac, his old ancestral home, telling Catherine to stay behind with the children. Of course, she doesn't and takes the children with her to Ballac. According to Philippe their french vineyards are failing which makes itself clear that a sacrifice must be made. Catherine experiences many odd things, mostly from a brother and sister, played by Edward Mulhare and Sharon Tate. The brother uses a bow an arrow to shoot doves and the sister is good at turning toads into birds.

Catherine's husband is always stuck in a trance. Even when he crushes a glass with his hand he emits no emotion whatsoever. "Believe it, believe it or leave" he says to his wife. She approaches father Dominic played by Donald Pleasence, asking about what it all means. He too tells her she should leave, but she doesn't care too much about leaving because she chooses not to give up on her husband.

Ballac has for years dealed with many ancient traditions. I assume one of those traditions is archery. The two children spend much of their time with the brother and sister. Even playing on the roof top where Catherine confronts the sister, but is hypnotized by the necklace she wears. The sister nearly sends Catherine off the roof, luckily it wasn't all the way. The sister is whipped by Philippe for trying to kill his wife. "You're mad, Philippe. You're all mad." She tells him.

Over the years, Philippe's ancestors have all been killed in mysterious ways. This frightens Catherine, but she still will not leave for Philippe's sake. Something about Philippe just makes her feel calm. She feels he will not hurt her. When Catherine visits the grave of one of Philippe's ancestors she discovers several people dressed in long dark hooded clothing. Are they ghosts? spirits? What does it all mean?!

It means that it is Philippe who is the one, not Catherine. In the midst of 12 apostles there were 13, Philippe is the 13th. 12 Dance while the 13th sacrifices himself. A blood sacrifice. Catherine will not let it happen! "But you're sacrificing yourself for nothing!" Catherine says.

An unnerving and creepy cult film with a great performance from Kerr and from Niven. Oh, and let's never forget the beautiful Sharon Tate in one of her first performances. She is so lovely in black and white. The ending is shocking because you have to remember that the blood of the Montfaucon didn't end with just Philippe. He also had two children and one of them being a son.