The Devil's Elixirs (1973): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1973, The Devil's Elixirs is a drama film directed by Ralf Kirsten, running about 106 minutes.

What it’s about. Young seminary student Franziskus (Benjamin Besson) has been ceremonially ordained. He wants to escape the harshness and injustice of the world and devote himself to the service of God in the quiet seclusion of a monastery. He is also hoping to forget the beautiful lady Aurelie (Jaroslava Schallerová), whose life he saved in a flooded brook and with whom he spent an amorous night. He knows that her father would never allow her to marry him. But the devil dressed in a monk's habit and under the name Viktorin (Andrzej Kopiczynski) intervenes in Franziskus's destiny and attempts to lead him astray. To do so he first uses the diabolical elixirs kept at the monastery as a rare relic. When the young monk gets expelled from the monastery, Viktorin prepares another trap with the help of Aurelie's stepmother Euphemie (Milena Dvorská).

Who’s in it. The Devil's Elixirs stars Benjamin Besson as Franziskus, Jaroslava Schallerová as Aurelie, Andrzej Kopiczyński as Viktorin and Milena Dvorská as Euphemie, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Devil's Elixirs page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Devil's Elixirs tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.