The Devil’s Disciple (1987)

               In my opinion, “The Devil’s Disciple” (1959) is one of the 100 best war movies. It is also one of the top five movies about the American Revolution. Based on a play by George Bernard Shaw, the dialogue is excellent and so is its cast that included Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, and Sir Laurence Olivier. There was absolutely no reason to remake it. The new version could not equal, much less exceed, the original. I can only assume that someone thought there were enough people who had not seen the 1959 version and were not aware of it, to justify a reboot. At least no one spent money in a theater to see it. It was made-for-tv and it shows.

               For those not familiar with the 1959 film, “The Devil’s Disciple” is set in 1777. Gen. John Burgoyne (Ian Richardson in the Olivier role) and his army are on their campaign to cut the New England colonies off from the rest of the colonies. He is frustrated with the unsporting rebels who are fighting a guerrilla war against the Brits. Into this historical event are thrust a trio of colonists. Reverand Anderson (Patrick Stewart in the Lancaster role) and his wife Judith (Susan Wooldridge) are living peaceful lives with no connection to the Revolution. Richard Dudgeon (Mike Gwilym  in the Douglas role) is a ne’er do well who some would call the devil’s disciple. Judith is repulsed by Dudgeon because he is the opposite of her stable, rule-following husband. Guess who falls in love with this bad boy. Dudgeon breaks character to admit to a rules violation by the rule-following reverend. Dudgeon, masquerading as the reverand, is put on trial for treason. The previously pious prior has to tap into his inner machismo to prevent an atheist from being hanged.

               I already mentioned there was no reason to make this movie. It pales by comparison to the original. This is especially apparent in the acting. Even Stewart does not acquit himself well. Gwilym has nowhere near the charisma to play Dudgeon. It is much more like a play than the previous film which means it has less action. Unfortunately, it does not even bother to be witty. Do not watch this movie instead of the 1959 version!!!

GRADE  =  D