Enter the Devil (aka Disciples of Death)

Enter the Devil (re-issued as Disciples of Death) is a 1972 low budget American horror film co-written and directed by Frank Q. Dobbs. It stars Joshua Bryant (Black Noon, Salem’s Lot), Irene Kelly, David S. Cass Sr. (who also co-wrote it, The Boy Who Cried Werewolf, The Island of Dr. Moreau), John Martin (Mesa of Lost Women), Robert John Allen, Norris Domingue, Linda Rascoe, Happy Shahan, Wanda Wilson and Byron Quisenberry (who later directed Scream in 1981). It was filmed in Texas.

‘Anthropologist Irene Kelly and sheriff’s deputy Josh Bryant discover that a robed, knfe-wielding Penitente cult called the Disciples of Death have been sacrificing people in the desert. The film also features an abandoned mercury mine, racist rednecks at a hunting lodge, death-by-rattlesnake, and a woman being burned alive. The heroine (Kelly) doesn’t show up until halfway through the movie. This played theatres as late as 1977, us usually on double-bills with imported horror films like Beyond the Door (1974).’ Brian Albright, Regional Horror Films 1958-1990

‘Minor classic and unjustly forgotten horror film seems to have disappeared into the mists of time. I don’t ever remember seeing or hearing of this film until I ran across it in the Sinister Cinema catalog. I’m guessing that the film disappeared into the void since it probably had small distribution and was made about the same time as other western set horror films like Race with the Devil, The Devil’s Rain and others of that type. It’s a shame since the film is actually quite creepy and even scary.’ Steve Kopian, Unseen Films

‘Playing out quietly, stylishly, and just a little bit skewed, it’s the very definition of “regional rarity.” The film feels like S.F. Brownrigg (Don’t Open The Door) rubbing off on Leonard Kirtman (Carnival Of Blood) in an isolated patch of no-man’s land in Texas. But nothing much happens. However, for the first time in a long time, blank happenings carry little baggage.’ Joseph A. Ziemba, Bleeding Skull!

‘There are some surprises and one pretty good shock at the end that I did not expect. So the payoff is rather good in this one, especially if you like cult films, but the movie moves so slowly that you have to be patient.’ Geno McGahee, Scared Stiff Reviews

Buy Enter the Devil on Instant Video | DVD from Amazon.com

‘The death scenes are actually pretty tame, with the camera panning toward burning torches, while the grotesque killings are going on. However, with the pseudo-western “charm”, the scenery of the desert, the weird latin chanting, the red robes and torches, and the carrying of human sacrifice subjects out into the sunset and down into caves; you simply cannot deny that this moviedoes have some amount of atmosphere and suspense. This is a bit more than you’d expect from your typical, early 70s drive-in fare.’ Jorge’s Film Reviews

‘Enter the Devil should be watched into infinity. It’s truly a fantastic film, and although I’m sure the pampered elite of gore-hounds (don’t worry, I’m still with you, mark my words) would find it “boring”, I can recommend it to almost anybody. I will have no regrets doing so.’ Adam Bezecny, The Liberal Dead