Opus Diaboli Review: Beating the Devil – The Making of Night of the Demon
Opus Diaboli is fond of the golden age of black and white horror films including such as The Cat People and The Seventh Victim. For reasons astute visitors to this blog will understand, there is a third film we are very fond of, the British-made Night of the Demon (1957).
Long a favourite of film buffs and late-night horror screenings, this (flawed) masterpiece features an intelligent script (based on a MR James story) and some genuinely creepy moments.
At last a comprehensive book has been written on the making of this movie treasure.
Tony Earnshaw, has created an in depth and scholarly work which gives a real insight into the making of the film. It quickly becomes apparent that the title – Beating the Devil, refers to the protracted dispute with the British Board of Film Censors. Facsimile documents show the torturous process of getting the censor’s approval at the script stage. Among many unrealised ideas in the first draught of the script was a glimpse of a painting depicting a witches’ sabbat – this was repeatedly and strenuously rejected by the censors.
Those that know the film well will remember that in some sequences Dana Andrews' Texan drawl becomes pronounced to the point of slurring. The book reveals Andrews' hard-drinking lifestyle that caused problems on set.
Other features of this slim but comprehensive work include rare on-set photos and pre-production drawings, comprehensive biographies and filmographies for all significant actors and technicians on the film, a clear list of illustrations and an index.
Most importantly, Beating the Devil explains the conflict between director Jacques Tourneur’s desire to make a brooding, psychological thriller in the mould of The Cat People against financial pressures to make a commercial horror for the teen market.
The early apparition of the demon in the film and its subsequent appearances – out of step with Tourneur’s previous work is usually cited as evidence of this conflict. Both sides of this debate are covered in considerable depth, and light is thrown on the argument in surprising ways – the conclusion is not what your might first think.
Beat the Devil is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in Night of the Demon, or this brief but glorious period in film history.
Julian Karswell
Beating the Devil – The Making of Night of the Demon
Tony Earnshaw
Tomahawk Press ISBN 0-9531926-1-X
Hi Julian. I have just read your essays and campaign literature, and must say that it resonates with me.
I am not a Satanist but most of your thoughts have an uncanny resemblance to my own opinions. Something about it says that "this is how the world should work".
Could you provide an e-mail address, or perhaps e-mail me on the address associated with this post? I've been searching for some way to help combat the rising tide of left-wing extremist ideology and would like to join your campaign.
There are many organised groups dedicated to left-wing ideals and promoted by all manner of crybabies and wackos. Where is the yin for that yang?
Regards,
Andrew
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Good to have you aboard Andrew,
Opus Diaboli is not just for Satanists, it is for anyone aligned to the ideas of strength, achievement and aestheticism. But that said, you might have been a Satanist all along and not realised it - we're a very broad church, so to speak.
I can be approached directly through julian.karswell@opusdiaboli.info
www.opusdiaboli.info is a good starting place, and the articles and forum at our sister site:
www.satanism-today.com are good places to see some quality debate on relevant subjects.
Thanks for your comments
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