Richard Stanley’s "Dust Devil" carries a complicated history. Following a heated argument with her spouse, Wendy Robinson sets off into Africa, where she encounters a hitchhiker who draws her attention—unaware that he's a traveling serial killer. The arrival of police detective Ben Mukurob reveals the man to be something far more sinister than just a murderer: a shape-shifting demon stealing souls. The film’s journey has been turbulent; Stanley’s initial 120-minute version was shortened to 110 minutes, and US distributor Miramax held rights for potential further editing for an American release. While hoping his longer cut would find success in Europe, a 95-minute version test screened with Palace Pictures in Britain before the company went bankrupt, halting post-production and stripping Stanley of control. Consequently, different versions surfaced, ranging from 110 minutes to a remarkably brief 68 minutes. In 1993, Stanley managed to repurchase the print and excised material from Miramax, using his own funds to restore the film closer to his original concept. The result is that a widely available DVD box set now includes two versions: the "Final Cut" and a rough “Work Print.” Given the numerous iterations of the movie over the years, it’s difficult to determine its true merit. I believe if assessed solely on the basis of the "Final Cut," the film would be viewed more favorably and receive higher ratings than some of its online scores suggest. It's not flawless, though; certain issues exist, and even Stanley acknowledges that the film's narrative doesn’t flow as smoothly as he might have liked. Nevertheless, it is a remarkable movie, technically impressive with a horror story that offers considerable intellectual depth. Featuring Robert Burke (as the Devil), Chelsea Field (as Wendy) and Zakes Mokae (as Ben), "Dust Devil" weaves together three character arcs leading to an apocalyptic conclusion. Throughout, viewers are treated to dialogue steeped in unsettling mysticism alongside moments of intense horror. It’s a film that invites repeated viewings to fully grasp its intricacies, not to mention the visuals alone being worth revisiting. The movie will likely remain controversial; I do feel confident about that. However, I would encourage any fan of the genre who hasn't seen it to give it a try. You may not be as impressed by it as myself and other fans are, but you’re unlikely to forget having watched it. Mesmerizing, haunting, and even poetic, it is hoped that the film in its final form will connect with a more appreciative audience. 9/10

Source on TMDB