The Devil's Disciple (1959)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Guy Hamilton

Writers:

John Dighton (screenplay) and
Roland Kibbee (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 August 1959 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The black sheep of a family (Dick Dudgeon) and the local minister (Anthony Anderson) discover their true vocations during the Revolutionary War.

Plot Keywords:

Minister | General | Revolutionary War | Soldier | Courage

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Burt Lancaster	...	The Rev. Anthony Anderson
Kirk Douglas	...	Richard Dudgeon
Laurence Olivier	...	Gen. Burgoyne
Janette Scott	...	Judith Anderson
Eva Le Gallienne	...	Mrs. Dudgeon
Harry Andrews	...	Major Swindon
Basil Sydney	...	Lawyer Hawkins
George Rose	...	British Sergeant
Neil McCallum	...	Christie Dudgeon (as Neil Mc Callum)
Mervyn Johns	...	Rev. Maindeck Parshotter
David Horne	...	Uncle William
Erik Chitty	...	Uncle Titus
Allan Cuthbertson	...	British Captain
Percy Herbert	...	British Lieutenant
Phyllis Morris	...	Wife of Titus

Runtime:

Germany:82 min | USA:83 min | Argentina:85 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Norway:16 | USA:Approved (PCA #19282) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:12 (w) | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions

Trivia:

Natalie Wood turned down the role of Judith Anderson because she didn't want to work with Kirk Douglas for "personal" reasons.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Several times while going through the forest, the British refer to "snipers." However, the term sniper didn't come into being until about 40 years after the American Revolutionary War. The term came into usage in 1824, while the war ended in 1783.

Quotes:

Major Swindon: But what about history, sir?
General John Burgoyne: History, sir, will tell lies, as usual!

Movie Connections:

Version of The Devil's Disciple (1987) (TV)

A wonderful film!

Kirk Douglas plays the title character with charm and panache, Lancaster delivers one of his best performances, and Olivier is an absolute delight in his smooth-as-silk portrayal of "Gentlemanly Johnny!" A pleasure to watch -- Bravo!