Beating The Devil: The Making of ‘Night of The Demon’
Review Copy submitted by Tomahawk Press
The National Museum of Photography, Film & Television in the UK released in collaboration with Tomahawk Press a very extensive companion guide to this timeless fan favourite. This companion written by Tony Earnshaw, with introductions by Alex Cox & Sir Christopher Frayling, takes you on a journey behind the screen of this fifties masterpiece.
The book starts off by investigation the original tale by M.R.James, Casting the runes.
Further on we learn about the supposedly first UK horror picture ever (Dead of Night 1946) and the fact that most of the horror movies came from the US, most of these had a definite hint to the communist treat. In the form of Sci-fi horrors people were warned about this menacing danger from outer Russia.
It wasn’t until 1956 that things changed in Europe. At the very same moment that
But there is much more in this book. We can read all about trouble the filmmakers got in, to receive an “A” rating (so it could be visible for teenagers, the biggest audience at that time) instead of the X-rating they were getting from the Film Censors. Writer Tony Earnshaw shares some information on that, he received from the producer of the film Hal. E. Chester. A total analysis of film follows, with inclusions of interviews taken from Filmfax, Cinefantastique and others.
And that is only half of the book. You get information on the shooting locations, a complete index of all the people who worked on the film (cast & crew), production designs and a handful of rare pictures, posters, notes and letters. For the first time the uncredited special FX team of the movie is done justice.
Although the book is very detailed and almost academic, it is easy to read. When I started to read, it certainly gave me the need to dig out my copy of the movie and watch it again.
After going through this excellent book, you’ll watch the film from a total different viewpoint.
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