Hostage to the Devil
The true story of America’s most notorious exorcist.
Abbadon. Lucifer. Beelzebub. Satan. Old Nick. Antichrist. Mammon. Old Scratch. Evil One. The Devil. He is known by many names across the world and across the centuries. You may have your own name for him. You may imagine his form, his shape, his voice, his presence. You may have seen his portrait in artwork, in paintings, in film. You’ve doubtless heard stories of his power. You may have seen his shadow in dark news reports. You may tell yourself he is a cautionary tale, a childish fable; that you have nothing to fear.
The central question this film sets out to interrogate is one that has been argued by the finest minds in philosophy and theology, by the illiterate, by rich, by poor, old, young, since time immemorial. The film examines this question through the life of one man, Malachi Martin; an Irish priest who dedicated his life to battling an ancient evil. Malachi Martin; exorcist. Using first-hand interviews, dramatic reconstruction, archival evidence and Martin’s own words, this documentary will follow Father Martin’s incredible crusade from the 1970s through to his death in 1999.
So. Does the Devil exist?
A CAUSEWAY PICTURES & UNDERGROUND FILMS production in association with NORTHERN IRELAND SCREEN and BORD SCANNÁN NA hÉIREANN / THE IRISH FILM BOARD
PRESS REVIEWS
“a film where the puzzle of Malachi Martin is left for the audience to ponder. It is a look at the life of a curious figure from the late twentieth century—one as much showman as churchman, and one who continues to divide opinion and who will, no doubt, continue to do so for years to come.” The World Catholic Report
“must see” Dread Central
“For those of you who are interested in the supernatural…you are not going to want to miss Hostage to the Devil” Horror Fuel