The

Devil's advocate The (Latin for Devil's advocate) is a former official position within the Catholic Church, the Promoter of the Faith: one who "argued against the canonization ( sainthood) of a candidate in order to uncover any character flaws or misrepresent ...

was an official in the Catholic Church who would attempt to prove a candidate for canonization to not be a saint, or by extension, a figure of speech for someone who takes a position they do not necessarily agree with or runs counter to their or others interests for the sake of debate or to explore the thought further, possibly with regards to demonstrated impartiality. Devil's Advocate may also refer to:

Books

* ''The Devil's Advocate'', a 1990 novel by

Andrew Neiderman Andrew Neiderman (born October 26, 1940) is a best-selling American novelist. In 1987, he became the ghost writer for V. C. Andrews following her death in 1986. He formerly taught English at Fallsburg Jr./Sr. High School, in upstate New York. ...

** ''The Devil's Advocate'' (1997 film), a 1997 film, based on the Neiderman novel, starring Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino ** ''The Devil's Advocate'', a musical stage adaptation, whose libretto is written by

* ''The Devil's Advocate'', a 1952 novel by

Taylor Caldwell Janet Miriam Caldwell (September 7, 1900August 30, 1985) was a British-born American novelist and prolific author of popular fiction under the pen names Taylor Caldwell, Marcus Holland and Max Reiner. She was also known by a variation of her mar ...

* ''The Devil's Advocate'' (West novel), a 1959 novel by Morris West ** ''The Devil's Advocate'' (1977 film), a West German film adaptation of the Morris West novel; original title "Des Teufels Advokat" but shot in English * ''Devil's Advocate'', a 2000 biography by

John Humphrys Desmond John Humphrys (born 17 August 1943) is a Welsh broadcaster. From 1981 to 1987 he was the main presenter for the '' Nine O'Clock News'', the flagship BBC News television programme, and from 1987 until 2019 he presented on the BBC Radio 4 ...

* '' The Joker: Devil's Advocate'', a 1996 comic book written by Chuck Dixon and drawn by Graham Nolan * ''Devil's Advocate'', a 1928 book by

James George Frazer Sir James George Frazer (; 1 January 1854 – 7 May 1941) was a Scottish social anthropologist and folklorist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion. Personal life He was born on 1 Janua ...

* ''John Mortimer: The Devil's Advocate - The Unauthorised Biography'', a 2005 biography by

Graham Lord Graham Lord (16 February 1943 – 13 June 2015) was a British biographer and novelist. His biographies include those of Jeffrey Bernard, James Herriot, Dick Francis, Arthur Lowe, David Niven, John Mortimer and Joan Collins. He was the literar ...

People

* Giovanni Di Stefano (born 1955), British-Italian faux lawyer, has been nicknamed "The Devil's Advocate" for his involvement in high-profile criminal cases *

Jacques Vergès Jacques Vergès (5 March 1925 – 15 August 2013) was a Siamese-born French lawyer and anti-colonial activist. Vergès began as a fighter in the French Resistance during World War II, under Charles de Gaulle's Free French forces. After becoming a ...

(1925–2013), French attorney most famous for representing Klaus Barbie, "the Butcher of Lyon"

In television and film

* ''The Devil's Advocate'' (1997 film), a 1997 film, based on the Neiderman novel, starring Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino * ''Devil's Advocate'' (1995 film), a British television film starring

Alice Krige Alice Maud Krige (; born 28 June 1954) is a South African actress and producer. Her first feature film role was in ''Chariots of Fire'' (1981) as the Gilbert and Sullivan singer Sybil Gordon. She played the dual role of Eva Galli/Alma Mobley i ...

* ''Devil's Advocate'' (TV series), a Dutch reality television series * ''Devil's Advocate'', a fictional pinball game appearing in "

Insane Clown Poppy "Insane Clown Poppy" is the third episode of the twelfth season of the American television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 12, 2000. In the episode, during an outdoor book fair, Kru ...

", an episode of ''The Simpsons'' * The Devil's Advocates, a fictional motorcycle gang appearing in the film ''

Nam's Angels ''The Losers'' released on video as ''Nam's Angels'' is a 1970 American biker war film directed by Jack Starrett. Plot The plot involves a gang of Hells Angels-type bikers called "The Devil's Advocates" involved in the Vietnam War. They are sent ...

'' * ''Devil's Advocate'', a chapter of the BBC documentary series ''Notorious'' about British fraudster Giovanni Di Stefano

Music

* "The Devil's Advocate", a 2013 song by Christopher Lee, on '' Charlemagne: The Omens of Death''

Books

People

In television and film

Music

See also