The Devil's Rain (1975)

20% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(1,935 ratings)

This horror oddity tells the story of a well-networked throng of devil-worshipers populating a small Arizona town who possess a strange crystal icon which houses the captive souls of their sacrificial victims. The coven, led by the thick-browed Jonathan Corbis (Ernest Borgnine), are also determined… More This horror oddity tells the story of a well-networked throng of devil-worshipers populating a small Arizona town who possess a strange crystal icon which houses the captive souls of their sacrificial victims. The coven, led by the thick-browed Jonathan Corbis (Ernest Borgnine), are also determined to get their hands on a diabolical "Book of Names" which contains the identities of those victims. After the family of Tom Preston (Tom Skeritt) are murdered by the coven for concealing the book, Tom sets out to avenge them. During an outrageous climax -- in which none other than William Shatner is offered up in sacrifice and Borgnine is transformed by a lightning bolt into a chunky horned demon -- the receptacle of souls is shattered, releasing the title storm and causing the congregation to melt into puddles of multicolored goo (a scene which seems to last forever). Produced in 1975 but released two years later, this film touted John Travolta's name at the height of his popularity, though his role is remarkably small (he does melt nicely at the end, however). ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Robert Fuest
Genres: Classics, Horror

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1975 Wide
On DVD: Jun 15, 1999

Critic Reviews

Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central
While there may be no real frights to be had here, the hammy performances and ludicrous effects are reason enough to sit through this masterpiece of melted cinematic cheese.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
A really, really bad movie.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Classically awful
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
What are nice people like William Shatner, Ernest Borgnine...doing in a grade-B fright flick? Well, for one thing, it's a paycheck.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

An okay horror movie, it's one of those where a devil worshiping cult is trying to get revenge for the witch hunts. The biggest problem, I think, is that it takes place in the west, which doesn't make much sense. Plus, all the melting face guys get annoying after a while.… More
An okay horror movie, it's one of those where a devil worshiping cult is trying to get revenge for the witch hunts. The biggest problem, I think, is that it takes place in the west, which doesn't make much sense. Plus, all the melting face guys get annoying after a while. A good cast, but maybe it would have been better with a different director and crew?
Wahida K

Seriously I thought this Movie was a Joke.
Lafe F

There are a lot of good scenes in this movie, but they just don't connect well to form a cohesive story. There was a great opening scene where William Shatner and Ernest Borgnine battle wits in a creepy ghost town. There's a strange scene with of John Travolta; you hardly… More
There are a lot of good scenes in this movie, but they just don't connect well to form a cohesive story. There was a great opening scene where William Shatner and Ernest Borgnine battle wits in a creepy ghost town. There's a strange scene with of John Travolta; you hardly recognize him as he runs down a staircase like a maniac, and melts without saying anything. It's great seeing Ernest Borgnine turning into a goat-devil. There is long scene at the end where the entire Devil cult melts from the Devil's Rain. It has a very 1970's B-Movie feel to it all. It's a spectacle of scenes, with little of a plot.
Dr Blood

Aka "Hell Rain", it has the best melting face scene in any horror movie to date. It also features John Travolta in his first role.