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The Devil's Rain (1975)

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A group of Devil worshippers terrorizes a family on a stormy night, taking them one by on.  We are then introduced to the one remaining member of the family, a son named Tom who works at what appears to be a university.  It is here the we find out that Tom is involved in researching the psychic abilities of human beings, the current subject being his wife.  After receiving a note Tom and his wife return to his home to find out why his entire family has disappeared. They quickly encounter the Devil worshippers at an abandoned town.  During this encounter Tom’s wife has a psychic vision from the past.  It seems that Tom’s family had run afoul of Jonathon Corbis, the leader of a group of Devil worshippers, many years ago.  His ancestor had taken a book that Corbis needed to send the souls that he had collected to hell, and Corbis had been caught and burned at the stake before he could retrieve the book.  As he was being burned at the stake he cursed the Preston family, vowing to pursue them until he had his book back.  At this point Tom and his wife decide it is time to go, but in their attempt to flee the man’s wife is taken prisoner.  He returns to save her, now accompanied by a colleague from the university.  This leads to the final encounter between the Prestons and Jonathon Corbis. 

    I really enjoyed this movie.  The cast is great and includes a lot of familiar faces.  Ernest Borgnine, William Shatner, Eddie Albert, Tom Skerrit, and Keenan Wynn all are at their best.  The last name Keenan Wynn isn’t as familiar as the rest, but if you grew up watching the Disney films of the 60s you will recognize him.  The script doesn’t give the cast much to work with, and there isn’t much character development here, but that kind of works for this movie.  The story is very cheesy and probably wouldn’t hold up anyway.  I was impressed with the makeup effects in this film.  The melting scenes at the end are very well done, as well as being pretty unique for the time.  Also effective were the makeup effects on the followers that made them appear to not have eyes. I will admit that the makeup on Borgnine when he is channeling the devil did make me laugh so it isn’t all great.  In spite of some flaws I recommend that you turn off your brain, grab a seat on your sofa and watch this classic piece of 70s cheese.  I give the Devil’s Rain 2 out of 4 stars.  

Rating - **
-John "El Juan" Shatzer