The Devil's Disciple (1959) User Reviews (48)

"The British Soldier Can Stand up to anything, except the British War Office."

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 9 December 2005]

Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, both players who chose rather successfully to chart their own careers, decided on their third co-starring film to jointly produce it as well. The property chosen was George Bernard Shaw's The Devil's Disciple which takes place in the northern theater of operations in the American Revolution.

Shaw's wit is going full tilt here as he's having a great old time blasting upper and middle class pretensions of British society. The vehicle he uses is General John Burgoyne who lost the Battle of Saratoga to the rebel army which guaranteed French recognition and European aid for the colonists.

Both Lancaster as Parson Anthony Anderson and Kirk Douglas as committed non-believer Dick Dudgeon play larger than life characters here as they usually do and both have their moments. But in fact this film is stolen completely out from under them by Sir Laurence Olivier as General Burgoyne.

As a previous reviewer noted, Shaw wrote the best lines in the play for the Burgoyne character. But it takes the skill of a player like Olivier to bring them off. Burgoyne was very much a product of Georgian Great Britain, a cynical man in a very cynical business. By the way Harry Andrews as Major Swinton does an excellent job essentially as Burgoyne's straight man. Andrews is a pompous sort of character and Olivier tosses the bon mots off him like a handball player.

The story involves Dudgeon being mistaken for Anderson and being sentenced to hang for rebel activity. Anderson arouses the populace and sheds his parson's collar for rebel activity and saves Dudgeon from the noose. Burgoyne quits the town he was occupying and goes off to his destiny at Saratoga.

But in this case as in a lot of Shaw plays, the story isn't as important as the commentary. And when the commentary is delivered by Olivier, it's being brought to you by the best.

Unfortunate waste of talent

[bobc-5 · 6/10 · 9 February 2002]

Laurence Olivier is a British general surrounded by mediocrity and outnumbered by rebel forces who won't give him a fair fight. Burt Lancaster is a pacifist minister trying to protect his innocent parishioners, most of whom haven't yet taken any side in the Revolutionary War. Kirk Douglas is a bright-eyed ne'er-do-well, interested only in himself. Put three great actors like this together and you're bound to get great results, right?

Wrong. I completely fail to see how this movie can get such good reviews here. The first 50 minutes of the movie just barely avoid being downright awful. Olivier and Lancaster do next to nothing, while Douglas hams it up so bad that even the audience should feel embarrassed. Janette Scott, as Lancaster's wife, is forced to play a character with no discernible intelligence or personality whatsoever.

Have some patience, however, and you will eventually be rewarded. Lancaster and Douglas both experience sudden character changes. Lancaster gets a chance to be entertaining while Douglas' performance becomes excellent once he tones it down a bit. Allowed finally to interact with these two, Olivier becomes a valuable asset. The resulting 30 minutes is a high-spirited action adventure film with a light comedic touch and occasional witty dialogue. With the handicap of the terrible start, however, this is still nothing more than a pleasant but unremarkable diversion.

THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE (Guy Hamilton and, uncredited, Alexander Mackendrick, 1959) ***1/2

[Bunuel1976 · 8/10 · 2 April 2009]

Despite its imposing credentials (featuring the star combo of Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and Laurence Olivier and being adapted from a George Bernard Shaw play), this film is – criminally, if you ask me – scarcely ever revived. Until now, in fact, I had to make do with a tiny reproduction of the poster from the time of its original release locally (kept by my father in a large worn-out scrapbook); for the record, the copy under review was culled from a TCM screening. Anyway, this is a comedy-adventure of the kind 'they don't make 'em like anymore' but one that, being rich in dialogue (as is to be expected of a Shaw work), comes across as atypically intelligent. The setting is the American Revolution (incidentally, the film was begun by Alexander Mackendrick – an American whose career actually took off in England!) with Lancaster a small-town preacher, Douglas a self-proclaimed "ne'er-do-well" and Olivier the General of the invading British army. Douglas, at his roguish best, and a wittily sardonic Olivier are very funny – while Lancaster's initial (albeit necessary) glumness is redeemed by a characteristic bout of acrobatics at the finale. Interestingly, he and Douglas (by the way, THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE was a co-production between their respective companies) gradually exchange identities throughout the film – with the latter passing himself off as a man of the cloth yet keeping his fervent anti-British sentiments unchecked and the minister forced by circumstances into rebellion, action and eventually negotiations with the enemy. The supporting cast, then, is headed by lovely Janette Scott (who manages to hold her own in the company of the two American stars, playing a character named Judith Anderson!) and Harry Andrews (in the role of Olivier's eager yet dim-witted aide) but also including the likes of Basil Sydney, Mervyn Johns and Allan Cuthbertson. Notable, too, are a rousing score by Richard Rodney Bennett and the novel bits of exposition (detailing the progress of General Burgoyne's ill-fated campaign) amusingly done by shifting military figurines about on a map of the area; incidentally, in the style of Lancaster's THE CRIMSON PIRATE (1952; also co-written by Roland Kibbee), we are urged to believe the events as fictionalized here rather than the way documented history presents them!

Better than just good !

[wallner-2 · 2 April 2004]

It has been years since I've actually seen the movie and was disappointed that it can't presently be found on DVD. Yet, while fiction, it is a tight, well acted piece of near dark comedy placed in a revolutionary war setting.

Lancaster's portrayal is akin to his as the somewhat self-righteous Wyatt Earp in O.K. Corral. Probably the wittiest scene is played between the prisoner Douglas and Sir Laurence (Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne) as a straight man with a bit of a twinkle in the eye. First with Olivier near whining to Kirk how he'd think better of him if he only knew how much he'd paid for his commission - a common practice in German George's British army.

Convicted and scheduled to hang, Douglas demands a soldier's firing squad only to talked out of it by Gen'l. Burgoyne decrying - with wry historical accuracy, the woeful state of marksmanship of the average Red Coat then serving in the Colonies. "Well then, by all means hang me !"

Delightful, well paced, funny, and even a tad dramatic with Burt, like Disney's Lambert the Bashful Lion, finally roaring to the height of minuteman steel in the final scenes.

You Will Want to Slap Her

[dsayne · 7/10 · 25 November 2013]

Having seen The Devil's Disciple on a venue that runs films which have fallen into the public domain, I wonder how anyone could have let copyright lapse on such an intriguing, yet quirky, film as this. With it's triumvirate of strong leading men, and an interesting script, this movie should be much more well known. And with it's rather oddball presentation it's surprising that it does not have cult status.

The live action segments are excellent, and there is no slack in the acting or direction. However, some poor soul made the bizarre decision to interject little Rankin-Bass type puppet animation segments at nearly random moments, thoroughly negating - each time - all the dramatic momentum that has been accumulated up to that point. The animated segments are well done, and moderately amusing in and of themselves, yet completely incongruous to the tone of the surrounding film.

These segments are, however, a minor flaw when compared with the greatest drawback of this movie. I am referring to the character of Judith Anderson, our hero's wife. She is, without a doubt, the most annoyingly fickle and foolish female character that I can recall having ever witnessed in any film; and very nearly the most hysterical as well. Not too far into the story I began to get the feeling that I would very much like to slap her. Halfway through the film I was consciously rooting for each of the male leads to take a turn slapping her. By the end of the film I was convinced that everyone in the film should have slapped her, and probably the crew as well! The only thing that made this character bearable was the calm, good-natured presence of Lancaster, Douglas, and Olivier.

Now, this is not intended to denigrate Miss Janette Scott, who portrayed Mrs. Anderson. On the contrary, she did a remarkable job of making this over-the-top hysterical woman seem real. A lesser actress might have easily come off as overly melodramatic and phony in such an extreme performance. Her skill in the performance is the reason that we want to slap her. Kudos to Janette Scott. It is my opinion that almost everyone who watches this film will, in fact, want to slap her. Be prepared.

Comes the revolution....and some silly animated inserts.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 9 October 2017]

George Bernard Shaw's play about Revolutionary War Massachusetts is in contrast amusing, serious, thought provoking and on occasion, extremely funny. It is 1777, and the British are trying to keep the rebels at bay, hanging those suspected of being on the side of those fighting for the freedom of the colonies. For local minister Burt Lancaster, it's a hard fight to keep his congregation on the straight and narrow, and when the son (Kirk Douglas) of one of the hanged men shows up, it's also a battle for his marriage as Lancaster's innocent but puritanical wife (Janette Scott) finds herself tempted by sin due to the unconventional but charming Douglas. When Douglas is arrested under the assumption that he's actually Lancaster, it's up to the minister to do what's morally right, even if it means sacrificing his own life. General Laurence Olivier and his assistant (Harry Andrews) have opposite views of dealing with the rebels, and at times, Olivier has a smirk on his face, insinuating that he's amused by the unintended insipidness of his own troops.

When the story breaks for a few strange animated sequences (straight out of the "Davey & Goliath" school of puppetry), it seems to indicate the quirky intentions of the filmmakers to ridicule that period in history. While the theme of war and treason is a serious one, you wouldn't know that by the way this is presented. There's a huge tongue in cheek feeling to each of the characters, with Douglas grinning throughout, certainly not loyal to any cause other than himself, and Lancaster going from determined minister to sudden rebel who takes on the British army inside their own offices, hysterically trying to destroy it with the help of a burning log he wants to throw on some explosives while taking on the soldiers trying to stop him.

In a smaller role, Laurence Olivier shows that his general has hidden feelings about his own government, revealing that his feelings for King George III aren't very patriotic simply by saying that he's basing his decisions on facts, not even his own feelings which he'd rather discuss even with the so-called enemy in private. The rarely seen on screen Eva Le Galliene has a tiny part as Douglas's mother, outed from her home by her own son, and is commanding with what little screen time she has. While obviously cut down from George Bernard Shaw's play, it still retains much of his wit and wisdom, and if far from perfect, still packs a punch in certain segments, even with those silly game board pieces acting out the war as they try to keep the colony of Massachusetts from being taken over by American rebel forces.

G. Bernard Shaw has fun with the American Revolution

[SimonJack · 7/10 · 19 April 2016]

"The Devil's Disciple" is based on a play by George Bernard Shaw. It recalls of a page in the history of the American Revolution. The play and this film interject considerable humor and satire in otherwise serious matters of the time. All of the cast are good in their roles.

Burt Lancaster is the Rev. Anthony Anderson. Kirk Douglas is a rogue patriot, Richard Dudgeon. Laurence Olivier is the epitome of the arrogant and unbending British general, Burgoyne. Janette Scot plays Anthony's wife, Judith Anderson. She's a conflicted woman after she meets Dudgeon. She loves her husband but also falls for Dudgeon, in his adventurous ways. But two can play at that, as she find outs with Anthony at the end of the film. Harry Andrews flourishes in yet another of his fine British uniform portrayals.

The story takes place in the days of leading up to and the start of the American Revolution. Shaw's sarcasm and cynical treatment of some of the beliefs of the time underlie the story. The film isn't exceptional, but Lancaster's production company pulled together a stellar cast for this humorous look at history and poking fun through the pen of G.B. Shaw.

This is the third film that Lancaster and Douglas made together. Most movie buffs should find the film amusing.

Olivier Flat in "Devil's Disciple"?

[rick_lapin · 10/10 · 15 November 2014]

This is in answer to otter_c, who wrote: "The only disappointment is Laurence Olivier as General Burgoyne. Olivier castigated himself in his autobiography for botching one of Shaw's most hilarious roles, his personal griefs were overwhelming him at the time. He's nervous and unfocused, line after wonderful line falls flat. (He returned to form shortly after in "Spartacus" and "The Entertainer")"

All due respect to both you and Sir Lawrence, but I think this is an instance where his self-appraisal is a little off-target.

I've always enjoyed this performance as a very excellent portrait of a thinking man and wit under a great deal of pressure, with no idea that Olivier did not care for it -- thing is, Burgoyne IS distracted; he has more important fish to fry than this petty punitive hanging, and even before he gets the news about Howe he is deeply concerned for the continued viability of his command: He tosses off his bon mots as the after-thoughts of the kind of intellect who could actually write plays when he wasn't under siege in an unpopular war in unfriendly country.

And I find that makes them and Burgoyne funnier than, say, Ian Richardson's total self- awareness in the '87 BBC production.

Olivier liked to be In Control when he worked; and in some of the roles in which I do not much care for him I feel it makes him artificial and excessively mannered. So naturally, a performance given when he was overwhelmed with grief is gonna rankle the perfectionist in him; but since he was preoccupied with other, more important (to him) matters it put him willy-nilly square in the same frame of mind as I gauge Gentlemanly Johnny to have been in as disaster loomed, I feel it really helps make the performance live in a way the studied Olivier technique might not have come within yards of.

The two men -- the actor and the general he portrays -- are up against it, but instinct pulls each through even if more distractedly than if under less severe constraints; there is still enough of the essence of each to make a credible showing.

The artist is not always the best critic of his own work; and Olivier's General Burgoyne is excellent work whether the actor knew what he was doing or not.

Revoluntary Comedy

[DKosty123 · 7/10 · 4 July 2016]

George Bernard Shaw, as big a name as he was, proves here that no everything he thought of to write was great. I understand his play here was only performed once live. Then these script writers converted it into a screen play.

Talented Director Guy Hamilton did this film and the action sequences show his talented touch. The film is short which in this case is an asset. The performers are very talented which helps too. There are a few comedies about the American Revolution, Abbott & Costello's Time of Their Lives comes to mind. In a way, this film has some in common with it.

Abbott & Costello were not getting along when they did their film. Here Lancaster, Douglas & Olivier are are trying to get along and get quality screen time. The difference is A&C have ghosts and do obvious comedy. This one has a cheeky style of jokes that in some cases go over the average audience heads.

Lancaster is a preacher, Douglas is a sort of rascal, and Olivier is British General Burgoynne (yes, there really was this General). While the facts are few and far between, the characters are very well acted. That is what makes this entertaining. It becomes obvious as the film goes along that Lancaster & Douglas own the production and both of them get their moments in. Olivier pretty much plays the straight man who gets the major speeches and comes off quite well.

The most unusual role is Lancaster (the preacher's) wife. She has to play a woman almost on the edge of fooling around with Douglas when her husband gives her the chance. It is an edgy role and really makes the film more interesting than most films. Janette Scott actually brings this role off quite well.

Because of the length being short, and the male stars all being at the top of their games, this comes off pretty good despite the farce it is at times.

Overlooked , underrated gem

[coop-16 · 9/10 · 10 July 2000]

Oddly enough, very few good films have been made about The American revolution, and this is one of them.Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster put in very fine performances, with Lancaster acting against type as the priggish, self-righteous minister who transforms himself into a dashing, wickedly, hero, and Kirk Douglas as the sardonic, cynical, Satanic, selfish, and utterly delightful Dick Dudgeon, who transforms himself inot an altruistic, self sacrificing hero. Laurence Oliviers performance is little too langourous and flat, until he delivers the films great punch-line, "history will lie, as usual." Of course, it may be that the films sharp-eyed, toughly ironic view of the revolution has militated against it ever gaining the popularity it deserves

"History, sir, will tell lies. As usual."

[brogmiller · 7/10 · 4 November 2020]

When wearing his 'producer's hat' Burt Lancaster was a noted nemesis for directors. Due to 'artistic differences' he had Charles Crichton replaced on 'Birdman of Alcatraz' and Arthur Penn on 'The Train', in both cases substituting John Frankenheimer. Judging by the great results those decisions proved to be justified. Although Alexander Mackendrick was notorious for 'taking his time', whether giving him the old heave-ho in favour of Guy Hamilton has resulted in a better film is highly debatable. I have no idea who directed what but there is a marked contrast in style throughout the film which does it no favours. It has been suggested that Mackendrick was responsible for the scenes featuring Laurence Olivier as General Burgoyne. This would hardly be surprising as they are the best scenes in the whole film.

This is definitely not for Shavian purists but the cynical humour of the piece and the lampooning of the military mentality come across extremely well.

G. B. Shaw was a master of Paradox and here we have dastardly Dick Dudgeon prepared to assume the identity of another man and take his place on the gallows. That other man is the Reverend Anderson who is transformed from pacifist to militiaman. They are played respectively by Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster who both bring their undoubted charisma and star quality but Douglas has the better role and performs with relish.

It is the Shavian 'realist' General Burgoyne as played by Olivier who leaves a lasting impression. Like so many great actors Olivier was a thoroughbred who needed to be kept on a tight rein. Some directors were better at doing this than others! He is mannered here to be sure but his style, sparkle and inimitable delivery are riveting. Burgoyne was a very able general who rather unfairly came to be stigmatised as 'the man who lost the colonies'. He was by all accounts a rake and a bit of a dandy which Sir Laurence captures brilliantly. He is gifted the best lines of course, notably: 'Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability'. It would not be long before he would again play opposite Kirk Douglas in 'Spartacus'. His characterisation as Crassus compared to his General Burgoyne exemplifies what a brilliantly gifted artiste he was.

The play has been taken out of the proscenium arch but the action sequences are ineffectual and those involving model soldiers rather infantile. The overall impact of the film is lessened by having a reduced budget and being shot in black-and-white. Splendid score by Richard Rodney Bennett.

Lancaster and Douglas made seven films together and although not one of the best this is decidedly not one of the worst!

History Often Ignores The Real Heroes

[atlasmb · 9/10 · 4 July 2013]

This is a wonderful film of historic fiction, primarily due to a script that subtly combines action, romance, humor and real questions of values. The story is built around Kirk Douglas, who plays a seemingly amoral fellow and Burt Lancaster, who is a clergyman. Using the American Revolution as a backdrop, it presents both men with questions of character in a time of duress, transforming them into their true natures.

Lawrence Olivier, who plays General Burgoyne, is a revelation. He plays his part as strongly as Douglas and Lancaster with understatement and economy. Harry Andrews plays Major Swindon, the blustering "company man", with gusto. (See him in the movie "The Hill" if you have not.)

The film's music is finely crafted, providing accents for the range of emotions--from the stirrings of romantic love to the urgency of armed conflict.

In its best moments, The Devil's Disciple is not afraid to poke fun at society's conventions--the church, government, authority, traditions. It asserts that individual men of conscience are the real heroes, and they are not forged in the flames of religious piety or societal order.

A note about the ending: I disagree with those who question the choice made by the preacher's wife, Judith. She had always loved her husband, but she wished to see him as a brave man of action and romantic fervor.

Shaw With Slapstick.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 24 April 2013]

It's a story about mixed up identities and conflicting loyalties during the American Revolution, more sassy comedy than anything else, although Kirk Douglas barely escapes the noose.

Good cast, too. Not just Kirk Douglas but Burt Lancaster. They made many films together. I counted them. There were one thousand, four hundred, and thirty two, not counting cartoon voiceovers. Lawrence Olivier gives a sterling performance as the quick-witted and likable General Burgoyne. Anyone who wants to see how the original General Burgoyne lived is free to visit his preserved house in Wilmington, North Carolina. Also in the cast are other familiar faces: Harry Andrews and Mervyn Johns, whom you'll recognize as Bob Cratchet from the best of the "Christmas Carol" movies.

But I believe a special round of applause is due to Allan Cutherbertson. I'm not sure the poor guy ever played anything other than stuffy, stiff-necked, military officers, usually with an offensive little ginger mustache. He was the British officer who wanted to let the evesdropping laundry boy go in "The Guns of Navarone." Here, his attempt to stop Lancaster from blowing up a powder dump and ending a battle leads to a bout of athletics and gives Lancaster a chance to leap around and fling furniture across the room.

George Bernard Shaw's play was written sometime in the 1890s, I think. The dialog is of the period but the wit still tickles. "Give a rebel enough rope and he'll hang somebody else." The lads handle the somewhat starchy lines with aplomb. Olivier, of course, had no trouble at all convincing me that he was General Burgoyne.

is it just me or did this movie get kinda stupid after a while?

[planktonrules · 4/10 · 12 February 2006]

While I was VERY glad to see a movie involving the Colonial period in America (since so few movies talk about this), I really didn't enjoy this movie all that much--despite the time period and the great actors. And I really WANTED to like it. But, the story just seemed very childish and stupid after a while--the comedy, though originally subtle became more broad (especially the Douglas character). Now with some films, you expect a certain degree of silliness and unbelievability, but with this one it was really tough because the film itself didn't seem sure of its tone--should it be a serious melodrama or a slapstick comedy? Well, for me it just seemed muddled and a bit embarrassing to watch. Too bad, as I expected more from Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas.

Sparking fun

[otter · 20 July 1999]

Sparkling adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's witty play set in American's revolutionary war. It has everything; a wonderful script (most of Shaw's play is let be), lively direction, and a top-notch cast. Kirk Douglas gives his lightest and most charming performance as the self-professed Devil's Disciple, there's no trace of the usual heavy-handed ham, he completely steals the film. Burt Lancaster doesn't have as much to work with in the part of a virtuous minister, but he does what he can and I consider a man who looks that great to be above criticism.

The only disappointment is Laurence Olivier as General Burgoyne. Olivier castigated himself in his autobiography for botching one of Shaw's most hilarious roles, his personal griefs were overwhelming him at the time. He's nervous and unfocused, line after wonderful line falls flat. (He returned to form shortly after in "Spartacus" and "The Entertainer")

So, this isn't just a fun film that can be enjoyed by any level of sophistication, it's something every film buff has to see... A movie where Kirk Douglas acts rings around Laurence Olivier!!! Surely the stars must have fallen out of the sky in pure shock!

Three wonderful performances carry this picture

[alfiefamily · 7/10 · 7 May 2004]

When George Bernard Shaw wrote `The Devil's Disciple', it was not one of his favorite plays. In fact, he seldom allowed for it to be performed, while he was alive. By any standard, it does not stand up as well as some of his other plays (`Pygmalion', `Candida', `Saint Joan', `Major Barbara', `Arms and the Man', etc.).

This film is rewarded with a screenplay that while uneven at times, maintains the spirit and flavor of Shaw's writing. It is also the beneficiary of three strong performances by Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, and especially, Laurence Olivier.

It is rumored that with most of the Lancaster-Douglas films, that the two men would not decide until just before production started, which role they were going to play. In this film, it wouldn't matter. Built on a premise of role reversal, the actors and their roles are interchangeable. In fact, I think it would have been interesting if the movie were filmed twice. Once with the actors in their current roles, and another version with them swapping identities.

Both give marvelous performances. Kirk Douglas starts out a little too broad, but you are instantly drawn to him as a man/patriot. His trial scene with Olivier is the highlight of the film. With Lancaster, you can see the foundation work being prepared for his role of `Elmer Gantry'. His fight scene with the soldiers has just the right amount of humor and slapstick. And is anyone as striking as he is when he first enters in his buckskins?

But it is Olivier who steals this film. I have read how he did not really enjoy working for Lancaster and Douglas, and so he more or less threw his lines away without much conviction. If that is true, it worked for this picture. He has by far the best lines, best characterization, and straight-men to play off of (especially Harry Andrews). Nice work is also turned in by George Rose.

`The Devil's Disciple' is by no means a classic. But it is a must see for film buffs, who want to see three terrific performances, and a pair of friends who obviously had a great chemistry between them, as well as a lot of fun working together.

7 out of 10

Somewhat hokey but entertaining case of mistaken identity during Revolutionary War period

[Turfseer · 7/10 · 9 November 2021]

George Bernard Shaw didn't consider The Devil's Disciple one of his best works. But nonetheless, when the play came out in 1897 it was his first big success which cemented his reputation as a top notch playwright and social commentator. The play is entertaining as it has a clever plot twist that keeps things moving in a positive direction.

Due to budget constraints, the 1959 film adaptation was shot in black and white-it certainly would have looked much better in color. And it has an insufferably dated musical score that rears its ugly head throughout most of the narrative. But it also possesses the Shavian wit (despite being inherently anachronistic) that manages to pull us in with its heady verisimilitude.

Set in New Hampshire during the American Revolutionary War in 1777, the narrative initially presents a fairly true to life picture of American colonial life under the tyranny of British rule. General Burgoyne (Laurence Olivier) has settled in with his troops and has just ordered the execution of a man falsely accused of being a rebel. Major Swindon (Harry Andrews), in charge of the execution of the prisoner, refuses to take the body down from the gallows and despite a protest from Reverend Anthony Anderson (Burt Lancaster), leaves it up to set an example to the populace.

Enter the man's son, Richard "Dick" Dudgeon (Kirk Douglas), a ne'er do well and town outcast who manages to remove his father's body while on horseback and clandestinely has it buried in Reverend Anderson's church graveyard. Dudgeon fancies himself the "Devil's Disciple" and mocks Anderson for his piety and hypocrisy along with everyone else in the town including his own family.

Despite their disagreements, Anderson admits that he respects Dudgeon, much to the chagrin of his wife Judith (Janette Scott) who regards him as the devil incarnate. Dudgeon further cements his reputation as an outcast when he inherits the family property and is promptly cursed by his mother (Eva Le Gallienne) who scorns her son's invitation to remain living in the home.

The previously alluded to great plot twist occurs when the British mistakenly arrest Dudgeon believing him to be Reverend Anderson whom they blame for illegally retrieving Dungeon's father's body. Now is Dudgeon's chance at redemption as he agrees to go to the gallows without revealing his identity. But Judith screws things up when, at the last minute prior to his execution, reveals that Dudgeon is not her husband.

A subsequent plot twist involves Anderson's transformation from pacifist to a rebel man of action. Unfortunately the scene in which he singlehandedly inflicts mass casualties on British troops by setting an ammunition dump on fire is simply played for laughs. This significantly detracts from the overall verisimilitude of the story.

As it plays out, Anderson (now dressed looking like Davy Crockett) saves Dudgeon from being hanged by learning that the top commander, General Howe, was still stuck in New York City and would not be providing the expected reinforcements for General Burgoyne's troops. Not only that--he forces Burgoyne to withdraw from the area and free Dudgeon as the militia he now leads has kidnapped a top British General.

While the denouement is far-fetched, I very much like the way Shaw depicts many of the townspeople, who refused to get involved in any seditious activities and cooperate with the British despite being continually oppressed by them.

Andrews is highly effective as Major Swindon who plays "bad cop" to Olivier's "good cop," the charming Burgoyne who respects his adversaries at every turn. Douglas has the best part as the mocking "Devil's Disciple," but he's much too recognizable to be that effective. Similarly Burt Lancaster is also saddled with the reality of instant recognition with both actors tending to play themselves (in contrast to Olivier, always known for successfully transforming himself into the character he's playing).

Additional hokey machinations revolve around Judith's anachronistic falling for Dudgeon after he decides to sacrifice himself for her husband. And then inexplicably, she goes back with the Reverend at film's end! A typical Hollywood trope!

Despite its limitations, including director Guy Hamilton's use of a few awkward animated sequences to push the story along, I found The Devil's Disciple to be a fairly entertaining and edifying look at the Revolutionary War period in American history.

Gentleman Johnny a soft spoken, sneering Americans at peak of the revolution!!!

[elo-equipamentos · 7/10 · 30 May 2019]

Gathering in the picture three legends as Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and Laurence Olivier should be a smashing hit, but it doesn't happen, the hard times at American Revolution could be had a seriously approaching over such crucial events, somehow the plot is driven to a slight bitter humor, as Kirk Douglas's character spreading acid comments about the law, surround by ironies, Burt finally understood who must change his peaceful manner to get back his country, but how he reshape himself is too contradictory, in other hand the most intriguing role is without doubt from Gentleman Johnny who represent the grandiloquent British Army himself, the smart chatting with Dudgeon is an example, sneering, polite to talk, never raising the voice, quite opposite his subordinate officer Major Swindon, when he faces Anthony Anderson he spoke in same way, everything collapses when he realized that the British Army didn't reach at Albany to help him, when the picture includes some animated cartoons sequences, stay quite clear a humoresque style to tell the history, spoils a little bit, mostly by Kirk's character who enjoy-oneself in such dramatic happenings, another contradiction, it's shot at England!! Do you understand what's meaning by British people??? Think about it!!

Resume:

First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.25

George Bernard Shaw, Olivier, Lancaster and Douglas

[jshaffer-1 · 10/10 · 4 July 2004]

I believe, in spite of the way the credits read, that this is from a play by George Bernard Shaw. Which means you have to really pay attention, since it is going to be satirical. They certainly didn't skimp on this cast. And the unique (for the time) use of animation sequences lends another facet. The main problem seems to be that this picture is mistaken for an action drama. Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne was a very real character. The other characters are just representative of the attitudes and problems of the era. The fact that they don't speak in addled regional accents is a bonus. I think perhaps this movie would have been much more attractive in color, since I think black and white are really best for film noir. It adds nothing to this movie, in fact, it detracts from it. Think how lovely it would have been with all those redcoats and all those trees. Still, the story can stand alone. It is really a modern story, set in a time of trouble, but it is generally satirical and humorous in tone. If Lancaster had gotten any more self-righteous it would have been nauseating.

"We're all rebels, and you know it".

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 4 July 2011]

It occurred to me while watching "The Devil's Disciple" that there aren't that many films set during the Revolutionary War. This one brings together three of the screen's greatest actors - Lancaster, Douglas and Olivier - in a dramatic, yet oftentimes funny perspective on British attempts to stifle revolt in the Colonies. The picture had me reflecting on how ordinary citizens might have been conflicted about their real loyalties, much in the same way most Americans were opposed to entering World War II until Pearl Harbor. Just too much trouble to be worth it, you know, why upset the applecart? After all, it's just easier to pay those taxes and tribute to an absent king.

That argument is stood on it's head by the devil's disciple of the title, the irascible Dick Dudgeon, played to mischievous perfection by Kirk Douglas. You can tell he just loves to zing both sides, the hypocrisy of his fellow Springtown citizens, and the imperious British under the command of 'Gentleman Johnny' Burgoyne (Olivier). It's been a long time since my parochial school history lessons, but I still remember that it was Burgoyne's defeat at Saratoga that turned the Revolution in favor of the colonialists. The picture takes place roughly three weeks before that historic event, with no inkling of an ultimate British defeat.

What makes the film intriguing to me is it's deft use of the King's English, based as it is on a play by George Bernard Shaw. One is forced to listen carefully to pick up the subtleties, and it would be difficult to say who had the best lines. However the scene that garners the most from it's writing is when Dudgeon, still mistakenly taken for Parson Anderson (Lancaster), parries with Burgoyne over his method of execution. Under 'real' circumstances, I'm not so sure anyone, least of all Dudgeon, would be as flippant about his survival chances, but it makes for clever entertainment.

The only difficulty with the story is Judith Anderson's (Janette Scott) mid-picture turn for Douglas's character. I'm not convinced that colonial Puritan norms would have been challenged by a reverend's wife in such manner, considering how uptight the rest of society was at the time. Her quizzical flip-flop at the end of the story was just too much of a stretch, and it didn't seem like she wound up with much choice in the matter.

The best movie you've probably never seen

[waynec50 · 10/10 · 9 February 2006]

This is a terrific film. The cast is great, Sir Laurence Olivier's Gentlemanly Johnny Burgoyne is the perfect balance of dreamer, cynic and realist, Burt Lancaster is exceptional as the minister who finds another calling as a patriot, Kirk Douglas is Dick Dudgeon, "devil's disciple", who is probably more righteous than the hypocrites who condemn him for his lifestyle, Janette Scott is the preacher's upright and uptight wife who discovers a less than spiritual side of herself when Dick unselfishly takes her husband's place as a British prisoner soon to be hanged. Harry Andrews rounds out the headliners as the bloodthirsty and officious Major Swindon, who wants to hang seemingly everyone who crosses his path, while reciting platitudes that would make a super-patriot blush. The film starts with the hanging of Dick's father. His brothers and other relatives are scared out of their wits and take the cowardly way out, seeming to ignore the fact. Ne'er do well Dick, however risks his life and brings his father back to the church for a Christian burial. He and Anthony Anderson, the minister engage in a witty chat over Dad's body that evening. The reverend gives Dad a send-off, but the British arrive in town and see the new grave. Dad leaves almost everything to Dick, with a small bequest to Dick's younger brother, excluding their mother. Mom leaves the house in a huff, cursing her son. Rev Anderson is told by Dick's squeeze that the British have seen the grave and are going to arrest Dick. The Rev goes to tell him and brings him home to the rectory, when he receives word that Mrs Dudgeon is dying and needs him (the minister). Anthony leaves Dick with his wife, and then comes a hilarious scene as the uncomfortable and contemptuous Judith makes him feel as unwanted as possible while still keeping up Christian hospitality. Sure enough, the soldiers come and arrest Dick believing he's the reverend. Dick's farewell to his "wife" ends in a steamy kiss and embrace. Judith races to her husband, and in another riotous scene tells him Dick has been arrested in his place. Rev,"Confound Richard. He's given me a debt I can't repay". But the minister takes off in an effort to get the local patriots to help free Dick, but as the narrator relates, they're too busy trying to kill their enemies to save one of their friends. Anthony winds up in the middle of a battle and turns the tide for the Americans. While this is happening, Dick is put on a completely impartial trial, while gallows are constructed outside. More witty exchanges ensue between Dick, Burgoyne and Swindon before Judith tries to save him by telling the British that he's not her husband. It doesn't work and they schedule the hanging. Anthony rides up just in the nick of time and in a new outfit of buckskin, to present terms to Burgoyne and negotiates Dick's release. Judith must choose between her crush on Dick and her newly revived love for her newly remodeled man of action husband. General Burgoyne tells Major Swindon that soon their army will face unfavorable odds and lose. This movie has everything, fine acting, satire, romance, action, slapstick and philosophy. The only thing is, it's too bad it wasn't made in color to see the uniforms and scenery.

Uneven, but entertaining

[south-swell · 7/10 · 17 October 2021]

This one definitely let's the star power interfere with Bernard Shaw's message. From the moment Sir Laurence Olivier appears with the most ridiculous hat ever created, one knows not to take this film seriously.

High Dudgeon

[richardchatten · 8/10 · 20 July 2022]

Burt Lancaster came to Britain to make this trial run for his Oscar-winning role as Elmer Gantry. You have to admire his courage in casting Laurence Olivier as his mortal adversary; and although Lancaster was such a back-seat driver that Olivier hated making the film, costar Kirk Douglas was obviously impressed enough to promptly cast him in his own production 'Spartacus'.

A pat on the back too for whoever thought of the witty animated sequences.

Not Too Believable, but So What?- The Devil's Disciple

[arthur_tafero · 6/10 · 21 August 2021]

I love most Burt Lancaster films, and most Kirk Douglas films as well. Laurence Oliver is just icing on the cake. This film is a lot of fun, and very entertaining. It is more of a comedy/drama than a realistic rendering of a period of the Revolutionary War. That period in American History is infamous for its lack of good films depicting either events or characters of American History in a sound dramatic fashion. The Hecht-Lancaster combo overcame that enormous obstacle by adding considerable humor to the script and the events. The final result is one of the few Reveolutionary War period films that are both informative and entertaining. Well worth your time. Burt as a pacifist minister? Please. However, it was good training for Elmer Gantry..

Too wordy and 'witty'

[HotToastyRag · 4/10 · 27 December 2020]

In The Devil's Disciple, George Bernard Shaw's witticism takes far too long to get to the actual plot. There's too much social commentary and character development before the real plot happens - so much so that when the big scene finally arrived, I'd fallen asleep and had to watch Part 2 the next night. It's a pre-Revolutionary War movie about how incompetent everyone was, and how smart-aleck Americans are far more interesting than stiff-upper-lip Brits.

Burt Lancaster plays a calm, collected Reverend married to a very fickle, emotional Janette Scott. Kirk Douglas is a rabble-rouser that no one likes, but who gets the meat of the lines and the movie. As the producer, why would Burt Lancaster give himself the lesser of the two roles? Kirk Douglas gets to have all the fun, smirking his way through his clever lines and charming banter. Burt is merely the pious preacher who does everything possible to tamp down his usual energy. And why would Laurence Olivier take such a small, lousy part? Maybe he'd just been cast in Spartacus and wanted to do a favor for Kirk Douglas. He's really irritating in this movie, so if you prefer him in his Shakespearean glory or looking like Heathcliff, don't rent it.