MovieChat Forums > Race with the Devil (1975) Discussion > The Devil.

The Devil.

posted 16 years ago by terencefisher
9 replies | jump to latest

The Devil was the great thing about growing up in the seventies, because everybody and their dog believed in him. I remember reading a comic book, (no idea what it was, wish to God I did know,) where the Devil was set free from Hell every night at Midnight, and allowed to walk the earth. When I was a kid, if I wasn't asleep by Midnight, or woke up 'round about that time, I played hell, trying to get back to sleep. When I was about twelve, I read "The Amityville Horror," (before that wretched movie came out,) and God help me, if I happened to wake up anywhere near 3:15 a.m.

"Race With The Devil," of course, scared the bejesus out of me when I first saw it. So did "The Devil's Rain". And, of course, the King of them all, "The Exorcist". Now, it seems, they're remaking "Race With The Devil". What I want to know is, Why bother? Nobody believes in The Devil anymore. Nobody's dog does, either. It's the internet age. All the lights have been turned on, and kept on. It's never dark anymore. When I was a kid, "The Omen" terrorized my whole continent into becoming born again Christians. Recently a near scene-by-scene remake was released, and not one person cared. Not one person.

I miss the '70s. I miss The Devil. It was terrifying, to have a monster under the bed, another in the closet, still another in the basement, and yet another, up in the attic.

But it was kind of flattering, too.

Terence

[–] BAcker5150 16 years ago

Just because it is the "internet age" doesn't mean that people are not religious anymore. What "light" exactly has the internet turned on? I don't see how the two are related.

Granted, movies like "Race with the Devil" and the "Amityville Horror" are sort of dated today but only because they ARE old movies.

The idea of the Devil in film didn't end with the 70's. There are a lot of movies made recently which explore or feature the concept. "End of Days" and "Lost Souls" are just two that come to mind which were made after 2000.

I agree that those remakes are not necessary. Not for the reason you gave though. I just think remakes suck.

[–] skjoseph 16 years ago

Not sure if you knew, but the internet age is projected to end in a few short years. And when that happens, will you start believing in the devil again? Technology and the spiritual realm can't be compared.

[–] MTil77 16 years ago

I don't understand why people wouldn't believe in the devil after the '70s. Satanism is still considered a religious practice. And I think the Blair Witch Project was a pretty convincing and scary take on Satanism/Witchcraft and that's a pretty modern movie. It's only about 10 years old

[–] draken82 16 years ago

This is actually interesting, I had a very similar discussion with people a while back about this cultural fascination that the U.S.A. seemed to have with The Devil and other similar types of supernatural elements in the 70s. I think a lot of it had to do with the Watergate thing and people suddenly becoming paranoid of what was going on in the world, and with their government. This movie is a prime example, almost every person they encounter after they witness the sacrifice is a member of the Satanic cult.

We have the same type of thing going on now. Movies that reflect a certain cultural paranoia. Take the movie The Strangers for example. The message of that movie is beware of the unknown, because anyone you don't know is a psycho killer out to torture just because its Friday night and they're bored.

I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal. People know me.

[–] Banshee57 16 years ago

I totally agree with terencefisher! Back in the day, we as a country were terrified at the very idea of The Devil, and it proves so by haps, as films such as the afor mentioned were utterly indulged and feared by the dozens. It all goes back to the simple fear of something under your bed, or a monster in the closet. Such simple fears that preyed on our minds back then. Now, our country is so damned desensitized and bland. There is almost no way to make a dent in our psychi. I could definitely put one blame on the "internet age", because I very much agree that it's overblown usage is destroying our very economy. Race With The Devil, among other obscure 1970's Devil films, still serves as a prime example of how terrifying the myth is, even if the devil is not on earth to torture a little girl.

That said, I would definitely say the worlds perception of the Devil, or any serious feature a film can manifest, is a perception of laughter and nonsense, because most audiences are spoiled and desensitized. Example: Last night, I went to see "The Midnight Meat Train", and the audience laughed at serious moments which I feel should have been taken as such, but not by these little brats, and immature movie-goers who don't even appreciate what it means to go to the movies anymore anyway! I could go on, but what's the point? I hope you follow.

Now resurrection the phoenix, Aflame with pride and conceit

[–] BAcker5150 16 years ago

I sort of agree with you BansheeCreature about the internet. It is used so much today and because of that, a lot of people think they know everything there is to know because the information can be looked up.

"God" and "the Devil" are things which either you believe in them or you do not. It is okay whatever your beliefs are but the answer to this one will never be found on the internet which is why I questioned the original poster's statement about the relevence of the "internet age." I am guessing what he meant was we have advanced into a new age so old ideas such as the Devil, God and religion are no longer relevant but i think that is foolish thinking. To dismiss them just because some technology advanced.

Anyway, I didn't mean to get preachy. I am not even overly religious. I just didn't get what the OPer was on about.

[–] the_zookeeper 16 years ago

I have always wondered if the fascination with the Devil because of the amount of acid dropped in the sixties and early seventies. I can tell you as a former party animal that during more than a few trips I was sure I'd experienced something evil.

Then I would come to later and find out it was only a brown shirt at the corner of my bed.

The gene pool could use a little chlorine......

[–] morgana-31 13 years ago

I took the OP literally in regards to lights on.
Nowadays people are on their computers most of the night so have their house lights turned on.
I didn'r see it as meant to be a spiritual (or not) statemeant.

Love is never having to say you're sober.

[–] Cultfilmfeverforever 10 years ago

I've always believed the Tate-LaBianca murders and the Manson Family set into motion a whole genre of horror films in the '70s. Americans were obsessed with the horrific crimes and the ghoulish people who committed them. Someone said the dreams of the '60s died the day the Tate victims were slain. It was a grim footnote to end a violent decade on.