God Told Me To (1976)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Larry Cohen

Writer:

Larry Cohen (writer)

Release Date:

11 July 1979 (France)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Don't let it control you!

Plot:

A New York detective investigates a series of murders committed by random New Yorkers who claim that "God told them to."

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Sniper | Catholic | Mass Murder | Police

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Demon

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

New Zealand:R16 | Australia:R | France:-16 | UK:18 | USA:R | Australia:MA (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Jewish Press Building - 1309 44th Street, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

New World Pictures

Trivia:

Composer Bernard Herrmann, Larry Cohen's first choice to score the film, died that night after seeing the film without music. The film is dedicated to Hermann in his honor.

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.

Movie Connections:

Features "Space: 1999" (1975)

Cohen's finest work and one weird film gem!

This creative and strange B horror film is a bit of a lost classic, and the best film from director Larry Cohen.

NYC detective is trying to figure out why people are randomly murdering and claiming God made them. He is led to a mysterious psychic figure who turns out to be something far more frightening than some madman. Why does he want our detective hero alive?

God Told Me To is a very unique horror thriller. It's storyline is genuinely imaginative and Cohen gives the film a bizarre atmosphere. The plot is nicely compelling, as it builds intensely to one terrific showdown. The music score of Frank Cordell is also a good addition to the spooky atmosphere.

The cast is quite good. Lead Tony Lo Bianco is likable as our hero who makes a startling discovery about himself. Richard Lynch makes for one eerie villain. Deborah Raffin, Sandy Dennis, Syliva Sidney, and the late Mike Kellin are also excellent in their supporting roles.

All around, God Told Me To is one forgotten classic of 70's horror. It's definitely an off-beat gem that well deserves to be re-discovered.

*** out of ****