The 1970s, as we know, are capable of providing incredible surprises in a certain strand of films that could be described as ‘provocative’: Thriller, horror, exploitation, erotic, shockumentary, you name it. Here we are faced with a highly underrated and unknown gem. This is the first feature film by a French director who will certainly not be remembered for his subsequent works. The elements are classic for the times: boredom, violence, satanism, anti-clericalism, eroticism, and good company. And yet, if so many of those films today have the effect of making us smile as they are no longer particularly effective, Joël Séria succeeds in _Mais ne nous délivrez pas du mal_ to leave his viewers stunned decades after its release. Certainly not a film to watch on a Sunday evening with the family, but if you rather want to savour a healthy dose of discomfort, you will have bread for your teeth here.