The Limping Devil

The Limping Devil

1968 · 82 min · ★ 4.8 · Comedy, Fantasy, Music

A baleful limping man walks through Prague. He is Asmodeus (Juraj Herz), the fiend of lustfulness, entertaining himself by putting together by magic couples of lovers. He only fails at the swimming pool. Zuzana (Jana Sulcová), the good-looking blonde, ignores the men whom the devil foists off onto her. She loves Honza (Václav Neckár) and the boy shares her feelings. The fiend is annoyed by the couple and tries to provoke a row. He sends heavy rain to force them into a hotel and then warns Zuzana's father by phone, but the young lovers manage to get out in time. Then the obstinate Asmodeus takes Honza in his sleep to the Institute for Emotional Disorders, where he shows him the ugly sides of love - hysteria, voyeurism, fetishism, suicide attempts...

Directed by Juraj Herz · Written by Bedřich Kubala

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 3m together

The Limping Devil

The Cremator

Both from Juraj Herz.

More from Juraj HerzSee all →

Goodbye, MedeoGoodbye, Medeo · 1982
Goodbye, Medeo
★ 9.01982
MovieMusicComedy
The director and choreographer from Prague are preparing a show performance "Oriental Fairy Tale" - a ballet on ice with the participation of vocal and instrumental ensembles and pop singers. They are shooting their picture in Kazakhstan at the Medeo high-altitude skating rink.
The CrematorThe Cremator · 1969
The Cremator
★ 7.81969
MovieHorrorDrama
In 1930s Prague, a Czech cremator who firmly believes cremation relieves one from earthly suffering is drawn inexorably to Nazism.
MaigretMaigret · 1991
Maigret
★ 7.71991
SeriesCrimeMystery
The pragmatic, reserved and refined Maigret investigates murders in his singular unhurried manner and inevitably discovers the truth.
Girls from a Porcelain FactoryGirls from a Porcelain Factory · 1975
Girls from a Porcelain Factory
★ 7.71975
MovieComedy
The fifteen year old Maruska starts as a new staff in the porcelain warehouse. For the boss Svetla it is the last straw. She asked to extend her staff consisting of four girls and a retired lady by a man, not a child. The kind and ever fussy Svetla, battling in vain with overweight decides to leave her position and to take another one in the office. As soon as she finds out that the position will be taken by Arnost Jarolím, she insists on a hand over inventory.
The Magpie in the WispThe Magpie in the Wisp · 1991
The Magpie in the Wisp
★ 7.71991
MovieDramaMystery
In the film, the creative forces of personalities from three spheres of art collide. The subtitle "The Game of Love and Hate" refers to the motivation of an old Czech medieval satire, the theme belongs to Antonín Přidal, an expert on this subject. His collaboration with Juraj Herz created a collage of past and present, an updated, sharp satire and a parable about the clash of human qualities that could not but end up in the vault. The music of the Prague Selection - Michael Kocáb and Michal Pavlíček - also contributed to the film's offensive provocativeness - the film was one of the reasons for their complete move to the underground. The dancing chorus of medieval citizens resembles more of a jumble of long-haired maniacs, the edge of a contemporary dump intrudes into the space of a medieval marketplace, and the characters oscillate between the past and the present, whether in their appearance, symbolism or behaviour.
Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast · 1979
Beauty and the Beast
★ 7.51979
MovieFantasyHorror
Julie, the youngest daughter of a bankrupt merchant, sacrifices her life in order to save her father. She goes to an enchanted castle in the woods and meets Netvor, a bird-like monster. As Netvor begins to fall in love with Julie, he must suppress his beastly urge to kill her.
Pacho, the Brigand of HybePacho, the Brigand of Hybe · 1976
Pacho, the Brigand of Hybe
★ 7.41976
MovieComedy
A funny outlaw tale inspired by traditional folk humour. Pacho is no ordinary outlaw. He detests injustice and feudal oppression and he copes with each troublesome situation with the help of his cleverness and wit.
MorgianaMorgiana · 1972
Morgiana
★ 7.21972
MovieMysteryHorror
Jealous of her vapidly "good" sister's popularity, poisonous Viktoria doses pretty Klara's tea with a slow-acting fatal substance. As the latter grows hysterically weak, the former finds success increasingly compromised by guilt, blackmail, and the pesky need to kill others lest she be exposed.
The Shop on Main StreetThe Shop on Main Street · 1965
The Shop on Main Street
★ 7.11965
MovieDramaWar
In a small town in Nazi-occupied Slovakia during World War II, decent but timid carpenter Tono is named "Aryan comptroller" of a button store owned by an old Jewish widow, Rozalie. Since the post comes with a salary and standing in the town's corrupt hierarchy, Tono wrestles with greed and guilt as he and Rozalie gradually befriend each other. When the authorities order all Jews in town to be rounded up, Tono faces a moral dilemma unlike any he's known before.
Lemonade JoeLemonade Joe · 1964
Lemonade Joe
★ 7.11964
MovieComedyWestern
A satire of the Great American Way, with Lemonade Joe a "clean living" gunfighter who drinks only Kola-Loca Lemonade and convinces everyone else in town (with his gun skills) that all "real men" drink ONLY lemonade!
The Emperor's New ClothesThe Emperor's New Clothes · 1994
The Emperor's New Clothes
★ 7.01994
MovieFamilyFantasy
The Emperor of a European country demands new clothes to wear every day, in fact sometimes several times a day. He imposes a heavy tax on the poor citizens to pay for his vanity. An itinerant man and boy come to the capital city and see the injustice, and make friends, but they soon have to flee. They return disguised as Arab tailors, and offer to make the Emperor a new suit of clothes. But only the wise will be able to see it; fools, or those unfit for their public office, will not see anything. The Emperor orders the suit made, and much money is needed to purchase the raw materials. Eventually the suit is ready, and the Emperor and his officials pretend that they can see a wonderful outfit; will anyone prick the bubble of the illusion?
GagmanGagman · 1988
Gagman
★ 6.81988
SeriesComedy
Journey to RomeJourney to Rome · 2015
Journey to Rome
★ 6.72015
MovieComedy
Vašek learns that he is dying, so he steals a painting and goes to Rome to sell it – he needs money for a healer. Sitting on a train with a fake mustache on his face, he has no idea that he has, in fact, been sent on a spiritual quest of his life by a beautiful girl. His pursuers look as if they were transported from a 1970’s movie, yet his attention is constantly drawn to the other passengers, who pull him into their own stories with no mercy. Vašek slowly gets lost in a colorful chaos of other people’s destinies, opinions and his own dreams. In the end, his train will take some of them to hell, others to enlightenment or a bizarre epiphany. The film takes a humorous view on all the basic philosophical questions we have heard so many times but that we have yet to find the answers to.
The Junk ShopThe Junk Shop · 1965
The Junk Shop
★ 6.71965
MovieComedy
Juraj Herz adapts Bohumil Hrabal's story about a man who works in a junk shop.
The Ninth HeartThe Ninth Heart · 1979
The Ninth Heart
★ 6.51979
MovieFantasyHorror
Martin, a poor student, volunteers to go on a quest to find a cure for the princess Adriana, who is stricken with a strange illness. Unknown to Martin or anyone else, the princess is actually under the spell of the powerful magician Andlobrandini, who is preparing a rejuvenating elixir made from the blood of nine men's hearts.
A Nice Plate of SpinachA Nice Plate of Spinach · 1977
A Nice Plate of Spinach
★ 6.41977
MovieComedy
The heroes of this absurd comedy, full of confusion and humor are Dzharda Zemanek and Frantisek Liska.

More Like This

The Forbidden KingdomThe Forbidden Kingdom · 2008
The Forbidden Kingdom
★ 6.72008
MovieActionAdventure
An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself travelling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King.
Bill & Ted's Excellent AdventureBill & Ted's Excellent Adventure · 1989
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
★ 6.81989
MovieAdventureComedy
Two rock-'n-rolling teens, on the verge of failing their class, set out on a quest to make the ultimate school history report after being presented with a time machine.
Bill & Ted's Bogus JourneyBill & Ted's Bogus Journey · 1991
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey
★ 6.31991
MovieAdventureComedy
Amiable slackers Bill and Ted are once again roped into a fantastical adventure when De Nomolos, a villain from the future, sends evil robot duplicates of the two lads to terminate and replace them. The robot doubles actually succeed in killing Bill and Ted, but the two are determined to escape the afterlife, challenging the Grim Reaper to a series of games in order to return to the land of the living.
Beavis and Butt-Head Do the UniverseBeavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe · 2022
Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe
★ 6.92022
MovieAnimationComedy
In 1998, Beavis and Butt-Head are sentenced to Space Camp by a “creative” judge. Their obsession with a docking simulator (huh huh) leads to a trip on the Space Shuttle, with predictably disastrous results. After going through a black hole, they re-emerge in our time, where they look for love, misuse iPhones, and are hunted by the Deep State. Spoiler: They don’t score.
Stand by Me DoraemonStand by Me Doraemon · 2014
Stand by Me Doraemon
★ 7.52014
MovieAnimationAdventure
Sewashi and Doraemon find themselves way back in time and meet Nobita. It is up to Doraemon to take care of Nobita or else he will not return to the present.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban · 2004
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
★ 8.02004
MovieAdventureFantasy
Harry Potter's life is in danger once more as dangerous wizard Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban Prison and is heading to Hogwarts.
Army of DarknessArmy of Darkness · 1992
Army of Darkness
★ 7.31992
MovieFantasyHorror
Ash, a handsome, shotgun-toting, chainsaw-armed department store clerk, is time warped backwards into England's Dark Ages, where he romances a beauty and faces legions of the undead.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged MeAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me · 1999
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
★ 6.31999
MovieComedyAdventure
When diabolical genius Dr. Evil travels back in time to steal superspy Austin Powers's ‘mojo,’ Austin must return to the swingin' '60s himself - with the help of American agent, Felicity Shagwell - to stop the dastardly plan. Once there, Austin faces off against Dr. Evil's army of minions to try to save the world in his own unbelievably groovy way.
Austin Powers in GoldmemberAustin Powers in Goldmember · 2002
Austin Powers in Goldmember
★ 6.02002
MovieComedyCrime
The world's most shagadelic spy continues his fight against Dr. Evil. This time, the diabolical doctor and his clone, Mini-Me, team up with a new foe—'70s kingpin Goldmember. While pursuing the team of villains to stop them from world domination, Austin gets help from his dad and an old girlfriend.
Galaxy QuestGalaxy Quest · 1999
Galaxy Quest
★ 7.11999
MovieComedyScience Fiction
For four years, the courageous crew of the NSEA Protector — Commander Peter Quincy Taggart, Lieutenant Tawny Madison, and Doctor Lazarus — set off on a thrilling and often dangerous mission in space... until their series was cancelled! Now, twenty years later, aliens under attack have mistaken the Galaxy Quest television transmissions for "historical documents" and beam up the crew of has-been actors to save the universe. With no script, no director, and no clue, the actors must turn in the performances of their lives.
Time FreakTime Freak · 2018
Time Freak
★ 6.72018
MovieScience FictionComedy
Stillman, a heartbroken physics student, builds a time machine when his girlfriend breaks up with him. Going back in time, he attempts to save their relationship by fixing every mistake he made—while dragging his best friend along in the process.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IIITeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III · 1993
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
★ 5.51993
MovieActionAdventure
The four turtles travel back in time to the days of the legendary and deadly samurai in ancient Japan, where they train to perfect the art of becoming one. The turtles also assist a small village in an uprising.
Meet the RobinsonsMeet the Robinsons · 2007
Meet the Robinsons
★ 7.02007
MovieAnimationComedy
Lewis, a brilliant young inventor, is keen on creating a time machine to find his mother, who abandoned him in an orphanage. Things take a turn when he meets Wilbur Robinson and his family.
Back to the FutureBack to the Future · 1985
Back to the Future
★ 8.31985
MovieAdventureComedy
Eighties teenager Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, inadvertently disrupting his parents' first meeting and attracting his mother's romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by rekindling his parents' romance and - with the help of his eccentric inventor friend Doc Brown - return to 1985.
Donnie DarkoDonnie Darko · 2001
Donnie Darko
★ 7.82001
MovieFantasyDrama
After narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.
Back to the Future Part IIBack to the Future Part II · 1989
Back to the Future Part II
★ 7.81989
MovieAdventureComedy
Marty and Doc are at it again as the time-traveling duo head to 2015 to nip some McFly family woes in the bud. But things go awry thanks to bully Biff Tannen and a pesky sports almanac. In a last-ditch attempt to set things straight, Marty finds himself bound for 1955 and face to face with his teenage parents -- again.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter