Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > God Told Me To (1976)
God Told Me To
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

God Told Me To (1976) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 10 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   1,016 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Larry Cohen
Writer:
Larry Cohen (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for God Told Me To on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
11 July 1979 (France) more
Tagline:
Don't let it control you! more
Plot:
A New York detective investigates a series of murders committed by random New Yorkers who claim that "God told them to." full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 win & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
God Told Me To
 (From LateFilmFull. 11 November 2008, 12:19 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Definitely not what you expect! more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tony Lo Bianco ... Det. Lt. Peter J. Nicholas

Deborah Raffin ... Casey Forster
Sandy Dennis ... Martha Nicholas
Sylvia Sidney ... Elizabeth Mullin
Sam Levene ... Everett Lukas
Robert Drivas ... David Morten
Mike Kellin ... Deputy Police Commissioner
Richard Lynch ... Bernard Phillips
Sammy Williams ... Harold Gorman
Jo Flores Chase ... Mrs. Gorman
William Roerick ... Richards
Lester Rawlins ... Board chairman
Harry Bellaver ... Cookie
George Patterson ... Zero
Walter Steele ... Junkie in Harlem pool hall
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Demon
more
Runtime:
91 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White | Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Australia:R | France:-16 | UK:18 | USA:R | Australia:MA (DVD rating)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Larry Cohen did not have a permit to film the scene at the St. Patrick's Day parade, but he did it anyway. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: The car in the flashback scenes was a 1951 Chevrolet, with post-1973 New York State license plates and registration. Briefly, it also turns into a 1939 Plymouth, when it hits a pothole. more
Movie Connections:
Features "Space: 1999" (1975) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 14 people found the following comment useful:-
Definitely not what you expect!, 5 April 2005
7/10
Author: Coventry from the Draconian Swamp of Unholy Souls

I surely won't say that I was disappointed with my long awaited viewing of Larry Cohen's "God Told Me To", but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. And I mean that as a compliment because the depth and storyline of this film was far more impressive than I hoped it to be. Cohen has always been an imaginative and versatile scriptwriter (It's Alive, Q – The Winged Serpent) but he really surpasses oneself here with this multifunctional shocker! It would be a disgrace to simply categorize "God Told Me To" as a shlock-horror film as it equally covers the fields of detective thriller, pseudo-religious drama and science fiction. The very engaging script starts from a dazzling basic idea (which truly encouraged me to purchase this movie no matter what…) but unexpectedly becomes an ambitious mystery that constantly keeps you guessing. We follow the deeply religious cop Peter Nicholas in his investigation on every day NY citizens that suddenly go wild and commit vile murders. Right before dying, they all confess that God himself ordered them to commit these crimes. In his search for clues, Det. Nicholas stumbles upon supernatural events and connections that are beyond belief. The story is compelling, although very VERY complex. It took me three viewings to really "get" the story and I still have questions to ponder on. Nevertheless, Cohen proves himself to be a master of plotting and even the tiniest sub plot (like the anti-hero cop being torn between his wife and mistress) are sublimely elaborated. I admit I more or less expected this to be a semi-absurd and violent cheapie (like Cohen delivered them before) but it turned out one of the most misunderstood exploitation films of the 70's. Although the film isn't really disturbing, there's a lot of suspense and intrigue. Cult lovers familiar with Cohen's repertoire will be pleased to see that he couldn't resist referring to his blaxploitation roots and that he takes every opportunity to severely criticize American society. The charismatic actor Tony Lo Bianco is terrific in portraying the spirited here and he's partly responsible for a climax you won't forget easily.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for God Told Me To (1976)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
larry cohen is a great director teejay6682
Tell me the ending milesdieson
Space 1999 rwmj
'Silence of the Lambs' stole the music of 'Demon' borman-1
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Donnie Darko Too Scared to Scream Doctor Mordrid To the Devil a Daughter Black Christmas
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.