#top 31 devils

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Welcome to the final entry for “The Devils I Know!” For this spooky time of year, I’ve spent all of October counting down My Top 31 Depictions of the Devil, from movies, television, video games, and more! And today, I unveil our topmost contender! Who is my favorite Devil? I’ll give you a hint: sunshine is his destroyer. NUMBER ONE IS…Tim Curry, from Legend.

Welcome to “The Devils I Know!” For this spooky time of year, from now till Halloween, I’ll be counting down My Top 31 Depictions of the Devil, from movies, television, video games, and more! Today we’ve reached the Top 10, and this Devil is a uniquely animated evil. Number 10 is…The Mysterious Stranger, from The Adventures of Mark Twain.

“The Adventures of Mark Twain” is a rather bizarre movie from 1985. It was the product of Will Vinton, the master of “Claymation” stop-motion animation, and has become a cult classic for its surreal tone and aesthetic style. The movie essentially tells the story of Mark Twain’s life through the eyes of his characters, as Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and Becky Thatcher go on a series of unusual and colorful adventures all based on different stories from Twain’s life and works. Arguably the single strangest scene in the film (and that’s saying a lot), and undeniably the scariest and most infamous part of the film, is the encounter with this character, inspired by the unfinished Twain novel by the same name: The Mysterious Stranger.

About halfway through the movie, Twain brings the children to a strange, dark void to meet the titular character. The Mysterious Stranger is a bizarre, ghostly figure, and right from the word go, we get the distinct feeling he’s…off. He introduces himself first as an angel, but when the children ask the angel’s name, he replies with a growl: “Satan.” That’s probably enough to send most people fleeing, but the Stranger behaves so kindly after that point, the children are happy to follow him into his own little world. The Stranger lives on a small island in the void, where he makes clay figures and buildings and all sorts of other things out of the earth around him, then brings them to life. At first, it all seems sweet and fun and charming…but things change when the living dolls begin to fight with each other, behaving with greed and arrogance. Satan sees this as annoying, and promptly squashes two of the figures flat beneath his hand, then summons an earthquake and storm, smiting the rest of them in its wake, before rendering the entire little world to dust. With all life erased, he proclaims: “I can do no wrong, for I do not know what it is.” That’s scary enough, but things get worse when the children protest all this in fear, at which point Satan says, in a soothing tone: “Never mind them. People are of no value. We can make more sometime…if we need them.” It's the cold, callous, deeply unsettling way Satan does all this that makes the character so eerie and unnerving. He never expresses intense anger, in fact often sounding rather pleasant and even gentle…but the horror of his actions speak for themselves. This is reflected in the character’s design, as his mask-like face, which becomes increasingly more demonic the angrier he becomes, and turns into a skull near the end of the sequence. Now, apparently, Twain’s unfinished novel was actually about the SON of Satan, who went by the same name (Satan Jr., if you will), but even there, it’s implied he’s less a hellspawn and more just a continuation of the same, if that makes sense. He’s referred to as “Number 44,” indicating he’s the 44th Satan in line, and the fact he identifies himself as an angel, and behaves in the way he does, makes it possible he may just be the 44th incarnation of the same being. Of course, to anyone who doesn’t know about the incomplete book, all we see is the Devil in general. However you look at it, it’s the ambiguous and creepy nature of this character, who does such terrible things yet seems so gentle and even playful, that makes him such a deeply troubling character. The scene with the Mysterious Stranger is honestly more famous than the movie it’s from, and has been hailed as one of the most disturbing and yet expertly handled pieces of animation ever made. This is a very different kind of Devil…but that’s exactly what makes this particularly nightmarish, haunting scene so breathtaking and intriguing.

Welcome to “The Devils I Know!” For this spooky time of year, from now till Halloween, I’ll be counting down My Top 31 Depictions of the Devil, from movies, television, video games, and more! Today I present to you all…Two Devils for the Price of One! Number 13 is a tie between Peter Cook from Bedazzled (1967) AND Elizabeth Hurley, from Bedazzled (2000).

The 1967 film “Bedazzled” is widely regarded as a British cult classic. It’s 2000 American remake is much the same. Both tell the same basic story, but they do so in very different ways…and with two very different Devils. Both films focus on the adventures of a socially inept, dead-end-job working man, who longs for love and success. The Devil appears before the man, and offers him a bargain: in exchange for his mortal soul, the Devil will grant the man seven wishes (“one for each sin”). The man tries to use this bargain to better his life and snag the girl of his dreams, but each time there’s a loophole that causes his new life to become an utter nightmare. In the end, the man comes to realize that simply wishing for good things won’t make them happen: sometimes, it’s best to work with what you have in life, and find courage in your own self.

The 1967 version stars Dudley Moore as the poor guy who gets conned by the Devil, named Stanley Moon. Meanwhile, Peter Cook – Moore’s frequent onscreen co-star – plays the role of the Devil, who goes by the alias “George Spiggott.” This film you can essentially call a Monty Python Faust, as the sense of humor has that strange, bizarre sensibility many English comedies of the time have and had (including MP). However, there’s also a lot of interesting points raised in it about faith and virtue. Cook’s Devil is a scoundrel, but a very loveable one; he never really comes across as a total dastard, but more just a sort of roguish troublemaker. The way he describes himself and his conflict with God matches this: according to Spiggott, he simply got bored of God getting all the kudos and praise, and felt perhaps it was time to change a few things. God – being God – disagreed and cast him out. Spiggott is classy and yet crooked, with a slightly childish, immature side to his personality; he actually reminds me a little bit of a later Devil, Tom Ellis’ Lucifer, in terms of his mannerisms and overall sense of style. This is essentially Willy Wonka as the Devil: eccentric, unusual, at times seemingly dangerous, but you can never really feel frightened of him.

The 2000 remake is another story. That one makes a few twists to the formula. This time, Brendan Fraser (FIREFLY WAS ROBBED, JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE) plays the poor Joe: this time a man by the name of Elliot Richards. The Devil is this film is given no name of her own…she’s just the Devil. And yes, “her” and “she.” We’ve had a couple of female Devils on this list so far, mind you, but the idea of Satan as a woman is actually fairly rare. And, in my opinion, this is probably my favorite example of a female Devil in all of cinema. Portrayed by Elizabeth Hurley, she has the same with and class that Cook’s Devil had, with a similar sense of unusual humor, but now there are two big differences: one, she’s a smokin’ hot babe (and I use that phrase only because you KNOW the screenwriters and casting people had to use it, too), and two, she’s a little more threatening than Cook’s Devil. With Cook’s Devil, when Stanley realizes he may be damned to Hell, it’s hard to really feel just how dangerous the situation is. But with Elliot and Hurley’s Devil, the way things play out and the way Hurley plays things off both really do give you the feeling that this is a Devil who means business, and can do a lot of damage if she so chooses.

Both of these performers and films do one thing very well: they make the Devil just as sympathetic and interesting as the character they offer “help” to. Spiggott’s sense of humor, desire to just go back to Heaven, and even explanation of his reasons for what he does and why, all make him endearing to the audience. As for Hurley’s Devil, the humor is still present, but we also get the feeling she’s not really out to hurt Elliot. Indeed, by the end of the film, the two have become friends, and she actually seems to be on better terms with God: the two are played less as opposing forces, and more as just two sides of the same coin. Between these two films and portrayals, it’s difficult to say which I like more. If you tied me to a chair and forced me to pick, I’d say that the 1967 version of “Bedazzled” is the better movie. It’s funnier, for one thing, and while Hurley and Fraser have a good back-and-forth, NOTHING can compare to the chemistry between Dudley Moore and Peter Cook when it comes to something like this. HOWEVER, HAVING SAID THAT, if I had to choose which of these specific Devils I’d say I like more, I’d probably give the trophy to Elizabeth Hurley. She’s just a lot more unique and has more going on in terms of layers and complexity. Both films and both depictions of the Devil are great though; if you have not seen either of these pictures, check them out as soon as you can.

Welcome to “The Devils I Know!” For this spooky time of year, from now till Halloween, I’ll be counting down My Top 31 Depictions of the Devil, from movies, television, video games, and more! We’re halfway through the countdown now! Today’s Devil would not be surprising if he declared, “You will suffer me.” Number 16 is…Viggo Mortensen, from The Prophecy.

Believe it or not, I only saw “The Prophecy” for the first time about a year ago. It’s hard to believe it flew under my radar for so long, but I finally found time to give it a look-see around the same time I discovered “Mr. Frost.” In some ways, the plot of the movie is reminiscent of the 2005 version of Constantine, which I mentioned earlier in the countdown. Much like that movie, the story focuses on a detective – in this case, Thomas Daggett, played by Elias Koteas – who, while involved in a case, gets sort of roped into a massive cosmic conspiracy. Just like in that film, the Archangel Gabriel is revealed to have plans for humanity that are not exactly angelic, and just like in that film, it’s ultimately by joining forces with Lucifer himself that the hero and his allies are able to defeat Gabriel and save the world.

Gabriel is played by Christopher Walken, and I think it’s fair to say it’s one of Walken’s absolute best performances. However, of equal interest to me is Viggo Mortensen as Lucifer. Once again, this is a Devil who isn’t onscreen for very long, but he makes a big impact. Lucifer doesn’t appear till the last third or so of the film, but once he pops up, he steals the show. Stealing the show from Christopher Walken is not exactly easy to do, so that tells you a lot right there. XD What I love about Mortensen’s Lucifer is that this is one of the few depictions of the character where I can actually believe he used to be an angel, so to speak. And not just any angel, but God’s second-in-command; the first and most beloved angel. Mortensen’s performance is subtle and dangerous, but there’s something about the way he carries himself and the way he looks that makes his origins clear. Having said that, you still feel the darkness oozing off of him: his motivations for helping out aren’t exactly the most saintly, and it’s clear that he’s not someone to be trifled with. He doesn’t need to have fangs or horns or any of those things to seem threatening: it’s all in what he says and does, and how he does and says it all. Later movies in The Prophecy film series would feature different actors in the role of the Devil, but I haven’t seen them yet, and by all accounts they’re not necessarily that great. As it stands, it’s hard to imagine anyone in this franchise topping Mortensen’s work here. I never thought the Son of Arathorn would make a good Prince of Darkness, but by Gadfrey, I’m glad this is something that exists.

Welcome to “The Devils I Know!” For this spooky time of year, from now till Halloween, I’ll be counting down My Top 31 Depictions of the Devil, from movies, television, video games, and more! Today’s Devil is an operatic villain…literally! Number 12 is Samuel Ramey. (pauses) Just…just Samuel Ramey.

Welcome to “The Devils I Know!” For this spooky time of year, from now till Halloween, I’ll be counting down My Top 31 Depictions of the Devil, from movies, television, video games, and more! We’ve reached my second place choice in the countdown; this is our penultimate ranking! Today’s Devil proves that when you wish upon a star…your nightmares will come true. Number 2 is…Chernabog, from Fantasia.

Welcome to “The Devils I Know!” For this spooky time of year, from now till Halloween, I’ll be counting down My Top 31 Depictions of the Devil, from movies, television, video games, and more! Today’s Devil is a real Metal-head. Number 31 is…Beelzebot, a.k.a. The Robot Devil, from Futurama.

“Futurama,” I must admit, isn’t a show I’m mega familiar with. In fact, full confession time…I actually don’t usually watch a lot of adult cartoons. Family Guy, The Simpsons, American Dad, Robot Chicken, South Park…I’ve seen bits and pieces of all of them, but I’ve never really been that into such programs. I don’t really know why: it’s not the humor, I don’t think, because I’ve definitely gotten a giggle out of various stuff from all of them. But for some reason, I’ve just never cared about any of them enough to give them a thorough look. “Futurama” is no exception…but it’s one I’ve come the CLOSEST to liking a whole lot. In fact, alongside “The Simpsons,” it’s the only animated show of this variety I’ve ever watched full episodes of, and many of the episodes I’ve looked at are the ones featuring this character.

The Robot Devil (voiced by Homer Simpson himself, Dan Castellaneta, with one episode’s exception) is one of two examples on this countdown of a character who isn’t necessarily THE Devil, de-facto and straight on, and more a Devil for a specific group. (Technically three characters, if you count Lucia from the Honorable Mentions yesterday.) Beelzebot is a robotic demon who commands Robot Hell, which is…exactly what it sounds like. Robot Hell, incidentally, is accessed via a creepy old abandoned amusement park in New Jersey…because of course it is. Beelzebot is a recurring antagonist in the show; he seems to be the secondary villain, after the perennial pain known as “Mom,” and he’s definitely one of my favorite characters in the program. Flamboyant, theatrical, and often childish, he is nevertheless a cunning and ruthless trickster: by his own admission, the only character who could rival him on the evil scale, at least among robots, is probably Bender. (No surprise there.) I love all the references to other Devils throughout this character’s run. Not only is his appearance obviously modeled after the stereotypical Devil we all see around Halloween, and not only does he have a crafty personality befitting the master of evil, but even just little quirks about him are directly influenced by other Devil-related pieces. His love of opera is a reference to the MANY operatic versions of Faust; his love of playing the fiddle (which is made of gold) is a reference to the song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia;” the list goes on. There’s really not much more to say about this one: the Robot Devil is just a fun and funny take on the idea, and definitely earns some kudos in the Top 31.  

Welcome to “The Devils I Know!” For this spooky time of year, from now till Halloween, I’ll be counting down My Top 31 Depictions of the Devil, from movies, television, video games, and more! Today’s Devil is a particularly mysterious malefactor. Number 9 is…Robert DeNiro, from Angel Heart.

A friend of mine introduced “Angel Heart” to me about a year ago. Up till then, I had never even heard of the film, and…in hindsight, I find that completely baffling that the film somehow was unknown to me for so long. The movie is something of a combination of a neo-noir murder mystery, a psychological horror story, and a supernatural thriller, all rolled into one. A little bit like “Constantine” or “The Prophecy,” both of which I mentioned earlier in the list. However, this movie is much more grounded than those films: there is no great cosmic war between Heaven, Earth, and Hell going on here. It’s the story of one man, one world, and one mind in tatters.