Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Night of the Demon Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 1, 2018

Jacques Tourneur's "Night of the Demon" (1957) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include new and vintage interviews; audio commentary by author Tony Earnshaw; a collection of new appreciations; vintage theatrical trailer for the film; and more. The release also arrives with a limited exclusive 80-page book containing a new essay by Kat Ellinger, M. R. James on ghost stories, extensive writing on the film and its history, archival materials, and film credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

You see this? I was attacked.

Jacques Tourneur launches his film with a curve ball. There is a short prologue in which a narrator quickly creates the impression that the audience is about to experience some sort of a baroque thriller that might frequently reference centuries-old mythological stories. But then the narrative abruptly veers off in a completely new direction and in a very surreal sequence a middle-aged man tragically loses his life.

Now Tourneur begins shaping up the profiles of the key characters. It turns out that the dead man is Professor Harrington (Maurice Denham) and that he was involved in some sort of a scientific dispute. Moments before his premature death, Professor Harrington apparently changed his mind about something important, but his rival, Dr. Karswell (Nial MacGinnis), was no longer interested in his thoughts. For some reason, it was too late. Then another highly-educated man emerges, Dr. John Holden (Dana Andrews), and after enduring an exhausting transatlantic flight he checks in an upscale hotel in London. Dr. Holden is in town to attend a big convention where renowned parapsychologists from around the world will debate a wide range of occult research papers, including some controversial writings by Dr. Karswell. The young and elegant lady that bothered Dr. Holden during the long flight is also identified as Joanna Harrington (Peggy Cummins), the niece of Professor Harrington.

It is not long before the relationships between the key characters are then fully established. Dr. Holden views Dr. Karswell as a charlatan and does not believe any of his ramblings about hexes and demons that can be summoned to do terrible things, which is why he intends to fully expose him as such before the scientific community. However, when the two meet Dr. Karswell puts a spell on him and informs him that in a matter of days he will be presented with indisputable evidence supporting his claims that will force him to change his mind -- though sadly, much like his equally skeptical colleague Professor Harrington, during the demonstration Dr. Holden will lose his life. At first Dr. Holden casually dismisses the spell and the warning as absurd inventions of a deranged mind, but after a few rather bizarre incidents which the late Professor Harrington also may have experienced before his tragic death he becomes concerned. Now fully convinced that Dr. Karswell should not be underestimated, Joanna also urges Dr. Holden to use every minute that he has left to figure out a way to break the spell.

It would appear that when Night of the Demon was conceived a couple of different people were pulling in different directions, and the end result almost certainly ended up being a compromise of sorts. Indeed, Tourneur apparently had some pretty specific reservations about the structure of the narrative -- the memorable sequence in the beginning of the film where Professor Harrington dies clearly was not envisioned as it presently appears -- and one can perhaps legitimately speculate that with a less-is-more approach his film likely would have been a lot more atmospheric. Why? Because in the most effective parts it is not at all difficult to recognize Val Lewton’s influence and here Tourneur plays with shadow and light much in the same way that he does in the superior Cat People and I Walked with a Zombie. So, less revealing visuals with a stronger Gothic identity certainly would have allowed Tourneur to be a far more effective tension-builder. (The short segment right before the demon is revealed, where Tourneur points the camera at the moving trees and then captures the frantic dark shadows, is exactly the type of material that best fits his style).

The stubbornness of Andrews’ character feels somewhat overdone as well. It takes too long for him to realize that his ‘rational’ dismissals are actually irrational reactions that are out of sync with the ways in which his supposedly brilliant mind utilizes logic to deconstruct and find answers. It is something that ultimately hurts the authenticity of quite a few events in the second half, and especially when Cummins does her best to describe the obvious to him.

MacGinnis’ performance has the exact opposite effect on the film. There is something genuinely creepy about his character that adds pure dark intensity to the narrative that is very attractive. Indeed, even when he is involved in seemingly casual exchanges there is static in the air that feels perfect for the film.

A surprisingly lively orchestral score courtesy of Clifton Parker enhances plenty of footage throughout the film, but given the noirish qualities of the vast majority of the visuals a more diverse selection of slow and lusher tunes would have been a lot more effective.

Night of the Demon Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in aspect ratios of 1.75:1 and 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted 1080p transfers, Night of the Demon arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The release is sourced from a recent remaster that was prepared by the BFI and features four different presentations of the film: Original Full-length Version (in 1.75:1 and 1.66:1), U.S. Reissue Version (in 1.75:1 and 1.66:1), UK Theatrical Cut, and U.S. Theatrical Cut. I chose the Full-length Version in 1.75:1 and later on did some comparisons with the other presentations. The screencacaptures that are included with our review appear in the following order:

1. Screencaptures #1-20: Full-length Version.
2. Screencaptures #22-30: U.S. Theatrical Cut.

Generally speaking, the basic characteristics of the Full-length Version are fine. Depth and clarity, for instance, are pleasing, and the grading is convincing. However, there are certain source limitations, and in some areas it is actually easy to tell that there is room for additional optimizations. For example, early into the film there is small but noticeable shakiness inside the frame, and the same effect sporadically reappears later on. Furthermore, while density levels are indeed good, on a larger screen it is pretty easy to see that grain exposure does not have the solid evenness that usually gives a film that attractive tightness. In fact, where the effect is most noticeable it is also easy to see that definition isn't optimal (see examples in screencaptures #2 and 11). So, ideally there should be superior ranges of finer nuances and they ought to be visible during the daylight and nighttime footage. The U.S. Theatrical Cut offers some marginal improvements in select areas and actually brings back some of the missing nuances, but it also has elevated contrast and sharpness levels that make it look noticeably harsher (see screencaptures #26, 27, and 29), and for this very reason I prefer the 'softer' appearance of the longer version. A few scattered tiny blemishes remain, but there are no large damage marks, cuts or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Night of the Demon Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Each presentation of Night of the Demon that is included on this release arrives with an English: DTS-Hd Master Audio 1.0 track. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

The audio is stable and clarity is good. However, if you turn up the volume quite often there is light background hiss that sneaks in the background. I did not find it distracting, but it is something that modern restoration tools can eliminate quite easily. Interestingly enough, on the U.S. Theatrical Cut the effect is practically unrecognizable. Dynamic intensity is very good for a period production of this nature. There are no audio dropouts or purely digital distortions to report.

Night of the Demon Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE

• Commentary - in this audio commentary, author Tony Earnshaw (Beating the Devil) discusses in great detail the production history of Night of the Demon, it stylistic appearance, the film's distribution history and different versions, the key locations where parts of the film were shot, etc.

BLU-RAY DISC TWO

• Speak of the Devil - this archival program focuses on the conception and production and distribution histories of Night of the Demon. Included in it are clips from interviews with author Jonathan Rigby (English Gothic), author Tony Earnshaw, actress Peggy Cummins, and production designer Ken Adam. The program was created in 2007. In English, not subtitled. (20 min, 1080p).

• Cloven in Two - this new video essay focuses on the different version of Night of the Demon that exist and some of the specific cuts that were requested by the British censors. The essay was written, narrated and edited by Jon Robertson in 2018. In English, not subtitled. (23 min, 1080p).

• Appreciations - presented here is a gallery of appreciations by notable fans of Night of the Demon. The comments address a wide range of topics, from the film's production history and visual style to Clifton Parker's soundtrack to the life and legacy of its creator, Jacques Tourneur. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Christopher Fraying: The Devil's in the Detail. (36 min, 1080p).
  2. Chris Fujiwara: Horrors Unseen. (28 min, 1080p).
  3. Kim Newman: Sinister Signs. (21 min, 1080p).
  4. Ramsey Campbell: Under the Spell. (19 min, 1080p).
  5. Scott MacQueen: The Devil Gets His Due. (23 min, 1080p).
  6. Roger Clarke: The Truth of Alchemy. (22 min, 1080p).
  7. David Huckvale: The Devil in Music. (11 min, 1080p).
  8. Scott MacQueen: A Note of Fear. (10 min, 1080p).

• Archival Material - in English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Hal E. Chester Interview - the actor/screenwriter/producer discusses his time in the show business and some of his work, including his involvement with Night of the Demon. The interview was conducted in Manchester in 1996. (51 min).
  
  2. Dana Andrews Interview - in this audio excerpt, Dana Andrews recalls his involvement with Night of the Demon and expresses his dissatisfaction with the visualization of the demon and producer/writer Hal E. Chester. The interview was conducted in New Fairfield, Connecticut in 1972. (10 min, 1080p).
  
  3. "Casting the Runes" Read by Michael Hordern - audio only. (53 min, 1080p).
  
  4. Escape: "Casting the Runes" - this radio adaptation was originally broadcast on November 19, 1947. (30 min, 1080p).

• Theatrical Trailer - vintage theatrical trailer for Night of the Demon. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Image Gallery - a large collection of vintage promotional materials for Night of the Demon.

• Super 8 Version - a vintage Super 8 version of Night of the Demon. Silent. (7 min).

• Music and Effects Track - presented as DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0.

• Booklet - limited Edition exclusive 80-page book containing a new essay by Kat Ellinger, M R James on ghost stories, extensive writing on the film and its history, archival materials, and film credits.

• Cover - reversible cover with vintage poster art.

• Poster - a reproduction of an original vintage poster for Night of the Demon.

Night of the Demon Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It would appear that when Night of the Demon was conceived a couple of different people were pulling in different directions, and then the final product ended up being a compromise of sorts. My gut feeling is that with Jacques Tourneur firmly in control Night of the Demon would have emerged as a much darker and more atmospheric thriller, and yes, I do believe that the visualization of the demon works against it. (Ken Adam's observations about this particular aspect of the film in one of the archival featurettes actually confirm it). Allowing the mind to manufacture the horror, like The Entity does for instance, would have been a vastly superior option. Still, it is an interesting film with decent atmosphere that is definitely worth seeing. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' LE release is sourced from a recent remaster of the film that was prepared by the BFI, and features a very good selection of new and archival bonus features. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.