Lucifer Rising (1974)
Kenneth Anger's visionary occult short film summons Egyptian gods and the angel Lucifer in a hypnotic ritual of mystical imagery.
Lucifer Rising - Movie Information
- Original Title: Lucifer Rising
- Release Year: 1974
- Directed by: Kenneth Anger
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Fantasy
- Runtime: 29m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 10, 1974 (United States), September 1, 1983 (United Kingdom)
- Alternative Titles: 루시퍼의 등장 (KR), Im Zeichen Luzifers (DE), Восход Люцифера (SU)
- Production Companies: Vaughan Films, British Film Finance, NDR, Puck Film Productions
- Production Countries: Germany, United States of America, United Kingdom
Lucifer Rising - Plot
Egyptian gods summon the angel Lucifer, in order to usher in a new occult age.
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Lucifer Rising - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kenneth Anger
Main Cast
- Kenneth Anger
- Bobby Beausoleil
- Donald Cammell
- Haydn Couts
- Marianne Faithfull
- Myriam Gibril
- Leslie Huggins
- Chris Jagger
- Jimmy Page
- Francis Rose
Producers
- Kenneth Anger
Lucifer Rising - FAQs
What is Lucifer Rising about?
Lucifer Rising is Kenneth Anger's hypnotic occult ritual film in which Egyptian deities — including Isis and Osiris — invoke the angel Lucifer to inaugurate a new mystical age. Less a narrative than a visual ceremony, it blends ancient Egyptian imagery, pagan symbolism, and psychedelic aesthetics into a 29-minute cinematic invocation.
Is Lucifer Rising based on occult or religious beliefs?
Yes, deeply so. Anger drew heavily from Aleister Crowley's Thelema philosophy and the mythology of ancient Egypt. The film functions as a genuine ritual invocation rather than mere artistic provocation, reflecting Anger's lifelong practice of ceremonial magick and his belief in film as a form of spell-casting.
Why is Jimmy Page connected to Lucifer Rising?
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page was originally commissioned by Anger to compose the film's score. Page, a devoted Aleister Crowley collector, delivered only 23 minutes of music after years of delays. Anger ultimately replaced Page's contribution with Bobby Beausoleil's score, and the two had a very public falling-out.
Who composed the music for Lucifer Rising?
The haunting score was composed by Bobby Beausoleil, who recorded it while incarcerated at Tracy State Prison in California. Beausoleil had originally been cast in the film before his arrest in 1969. His eerie, synthesizer-driven soundtrack became one of the most talked-about elements of the finished film.
Who are the main cast members in Lucifer Rising?
The cast is a remarkable mix of counterculture figures. Marianne Faithfull plays Lilith, Donald Cammell portrays Osiris, and Leslie Huggins embodies Lucifer himself. Kenneth Anger appears as The Magus, while Jimmy Page and Chris Jagger also appear. All roles are uncredited, adding to the film's ritualistic mystique.
How long is Lucifer Rising?
Lucifer Rising runs just 29 minutes, making it a short film. Despite its brief runtime, it packs in an extraordinary density of imagery and symbolism. Anger worked on the project for years across multiple countries, and the compact final cut feels deliberately concentrated rather than truncated.
How was Lucifer Rising received by critics?
The film is widely regarded as one of Kenneth Anger's masterworks and a landmark of avant-garde cinema. Critics praise its bold visual language, its fearless embrace of occult ritual, and its influence on music video aesthetics and experimental filmmaking. It remains a touchstone for artists working at the intersection of cinema and mysticism.
Where was Lucifer Rising filmed?
Anger shot the film across multiple locations to capture its mythological scope, including on-site at ancient Egyptian monuments and temples. Additional footage was filmed in Germany and the United Kingdom. This international production approach gave the film its genuinely otherworldly, timeless visual atmosphere.
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