To The Devil A Daughter
1976, UK, Directed by Peter Sykes
Colour, Running Time: 89 minutes
DVD, Region 2, Optimum, Video: Anamorphic 1.62:1, Audio: Mono
Based (very loosely) on a Dennis Wheatley novel, film presents author and occult expert Varney (Widmark) as someone assigned the job of protecting a young ‘nun’ (Kinski) from the clutches of a Satanic cult leader (Lee) who runs a church that, from the outside, looks like a legitimate Catholic operation. The story essentially becomes a battle for possession over the girl before her 18th birthday, at which point the intention is to ritualistically offer her to the Devil.
A latter day effort from Hammer, it was made just as the studio was about to be effectively finished as a film production outfit. They had no money at this time but managed to strike a deal to adapt the novel but Wheatley was reportedly pissed with the results, as it contained little of what he wrote in the book. Lee was disgusted with the (admittedly quite unique) scene of a demon baby climbing back into Nastassja Kinski’s womb (er, yes, Chistopher, it’s a ‘Horror’ movie, sh*t like this happens…) and the conclusion was knocked up by one of the producers who randomly decided that the original ending was too close to Scars of Dracula. Thus the conclusion to the film now is noticeably unsatisfying and a real flaw with what otherwise is not actually a bad piece of work. It managed to break away from the formula that Hammer had trapped itself into and paved the way for an interesting new future - but it was not to be. Peter Sykes once again demonstrates himself as a director of talent and potential. Don’t get me wrong, the film is not exactly enthralling, but it did delineate elements that were quite intriguing.
The DVD transfer is excellent. Optimum’s disc also contains the extras from the old US Anchor Bay disc: a 24 minute documentary which is extremely captivating (frustratingly punctuated with clips from the film - why is this demeaning practice necessary?) revealing the story of the film plus Hammer’s situation around the period. Lee outlines the details behind the ending of the film, how it was changed, etc. - it’s a pity that the original ending (which was filmed) couldn’t have been found to create a director’s cut because nobody liked how it was changed (except the idiot who endorsed it, it seems). There’s also a brilliant 7 minute excerpt of an interview with Eddie Powell (RIP), who stood in for Chris Lee during the nude ritual and did other stunt work. He is a fascinating person and it’s a pity that his entire interview couldn’t have been included. Overall, a good disc of a flawed film that’s worth making your own mind up about (available separately or as part of the Ultimate Hammer Collection boxed set).