In 1968, Christopher Lee made a movie he was never happy with. Decades later, he wanted a remake with CGI
Christopher Lee remained dissatisfied with *The Devil Rides Out*, the 1968 Hammer horror film in which he played an aristocrat investigating an occult group. He and director Joe Dante tried for years to secure the rights to remake it, believing later advances in effects could make its supernatural scenes more frightening.
Lee said CGI could improve the appearance of scenes such as the Angel of Death’s arrival. The film, directed by Terence Fisher, was critically successful but did not meet Hammer’s commercial hopes; the article argues its dated effects and vivid colours are part of its period charm.
In short
- Lee wanted to remake *The Devil Rides Out* with Joe Dante.
- He thought CGI could make its supernatural effects more frightening.
- The 1968 film’s dated style remains part of its appeal.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A remake could use modern effects to realise the supernatural scenes with greater visual impact and bring the story to audiences accustomed to contemporary filmmaking. Lee’s dissatisfaction suggests there was room to revisit the material, and a new version could honour the original while exploring what its creators had wanted to achieve.
The case against
The original’s dated effects and vivid colours are part of its distinctive period character, and updating them could weaken the atmosphere that has helped the film endure. Its critical success also shows that technical limitations need not prevent a horror film from working; a remake might trade that particular charm for spectacle without improving the story.
Explained simply
The Devil Rides Out is a British horror film made by Hammer Film Productions, the studio known for Gothic stories and supernatural scares. It is based on a novel by Dennis Wheatley and follows an aristocrat who tries to stop an occult group from carrying out a ritual.
Christopher Lee, best known for playing villains in horror films, took the lead role, and Terence Fisher directed. Lee later worked with US director Joe Dante to pursue the rights to remake the film, hoping newer computer effects could change how its supernatural scenes looked.
The film was well received by critics but did not bring Hammer the commercial success it hoped for. Its effects and bright colours reflect the style of horror filmmaking at the time, and some viewers value them as part of its character.