La chiesa (1989)

Director:

Michele Soavi

Writers:

Nick Alexander (dialogue: English version)
Dario Argento (writer)
(more)

Release Date:

10 March 1989 (Italy)

Genre:

Fantasy | Horror

Tagline:

It will make you squirm.

Plot:

An old Gothic cathedral, built over a mass grave, develops strange powers which trap a number of people inside with ghosts from a 12th Century massacre seeking to resurrect an ancient demon from the bowels of the Earth.

Plot Keywords:

Demon | Female Nudity | Sequel | Supernatural | Witchcraft

Cast

Hugh Quarshie	...	Father Gus
Tomas Arana	...	Evan
Feodor Chaliapin Jr.	...	The Bishop
Barbara Cupisti	...	Lisa
Antonella Vitale	...	Bridal Model
Giovanni Lombardo Radice	...	Reverend
Asia Argento	...	Lotte
Roberto Caruso	...	Freddie
Roberto Corbiletto	...	Hermann, the Sacristan
Alina De Simone	...	Lottie's Mother
Olivia Cupisti	...	Mira
Gianfranco De Grassi	...	The Accuser
Claire Hardwick	...	Joanna
Lars Jorgenson	...	Bruno
John Karlsen	...	Heinrich
Katherine Bell Marjorie	...	Heinrich's Wife
Riccardo Minervini	...	Schoolboy
Enrico Osterman	...	The Torturer
Micaela Pignatelli	...	Fashion shoot photographer
Patrizia Punzo	...	Miss Brückner
John Richardson	...	Architect
Matteo Rocchietta	...	Younger Schoolboy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michele Soavi	...	1st Policeman at Lisa's House (uncredited)

Directed by
Michele Soavi

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Nick Alexander		dialogue: English version
Dario Argento		writer
Fabrizio Bava		prologue (uncredited)
Lamberto Bava		uncredited
Franco Ferrini		writer
M.R. James		story "The Treasure of Abbot Thomas" (uncredited)
Dardano Sacchetti		uncredited
Michele Soavi		writer

Produced by
Dario Argento	....	producer
Mario Cecchi Gori	....	producer
Vittorio Cecchi Gori	....	producer

Original Music by
Keith Emerson
Philip Glass
Goblin
Fabio Pignatelli

Cinematography by
Renato Tafuri

Film Editing by
Franco Fraticelli

Production Design by
Massimo Antonello Geleng

Costume Design by
Maurizio Paiola

Makeup Department
Laura Borselli	....	makeup artist
Franco Casagni	....	makeup artist
Piero Cucchi	....	hair stylist
Assunta Emidi	....	hair stylist
Rosario Prestopino	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Giuseppe Mangogna	....	executive in charge of production
Saverio Margogna	....	unit manager
Ezio Orita	....	production secretary

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Filiberto Fiaschi	....	assistant director

Art Department
Fabio Altamura	....	props
Daniela Giovannoni	....	assistant set designer
Osvaldo Monaco	....	props
Barbara Morosetti	....	assistant designer: special scenic creations
Caterina Napoleone	....	set dresser
G.P. Postgione	....	set furnishing
Antigone Predatori	....	carpenter
E. Rancati	....	set furnishing
E. Rancoti	....	set furnishing
Sergio Stivaletti	....	special scenic effects
Aldo Taloni	....	set construction chief
E. Tappezzeri	....	carpenter

Sound Department
Luca Anzellotti	....	sound effects editor
Luciano Anzellotti	....	additional sound effects (as L. Anzellotti)
Massimo Anzellotti	....	additional sound effects (as M. Anzellotti)
Mauro Anzelotti	....	additional sound effects soundtrack
Claudio Paolucci	....	boom operator
Giulio Viggiani	....	production sound mixer

Special Effects by
Renato Agostini	....	special effects
Danilo Bollettini	....	special effects
Massimo Cristofanelli	....	special effects
Sergio Stivaletti	....	special effects

Stunts
Arnaldo Dell'Acqua	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Alessandro Carlotto	....	camera operator
Maurizio Cremisini	....	assistant camera (as Maurizio Cremesini)
Enrico Maggi	....	camera operator
Fernando Massaccesi	....	gaffer
Nicola Pecorini	....	Steadicam operator
Augusto Proietti	....	key grip
Alfonso Vicari	....	assistant camera
Franco Vitale	....	still photographer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Claudio Antonucci	....	wardrobe assistant
Carla Latini	....	dress maker

Editorial Department
Piero Bozza	....	first assistant editor
Roberto Priori	....	second assistant editor

Music Department
Max Carola	....	composer: additional music
Max Carola	....	conductor
Martin Goldray	....	musician: synthesizer, Philip Glass pieces
Massimo Morante	....	musician (as Goblin)
Fabio Pignatelli	....	musician (as Goblin)

Other crew
Marisa Calia	....	continuity
Carlo Cestari	....	paymaster
Carlo Du Bois	....	production accountant
Maurizio Garrone	....	animal trainer
Claudio Lattanzi	....	assistant to director
Enrico Lucherini	....	unit publicist
Enzo Orita	....	production secretary
Grunwald Martino P.	....	animal supplier
Gianluca Pignatelli	....	unit publicist
Daniela Rocco	....	production secretary
Marco Stefanelli	....	animal supplier
Sergio Stivaletti	....	special scenic creations
Antonella Villanti	....	bookkeeper (as Antonella Villaniti)

Production Companies

• ADC Films
• Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica
• Reteitalia

Distributors

• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Blue Underground (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• DMEG (2004) (Sweden) (video)
• Gativideo (1994) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Media Blasters (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Nippon Columbia Co. Ltd. (1990) (Japan) (VHS)
• Shriek Show (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• South Gate Entertainment (1991) (USA) (VHS)
• Spike K.K. (2001) (Japan) (DVD)
• Vivivideo (Italy) (VHS)

Other Companies

• A. & G. Corridori  special stage effects
• Artigiana Arredatori e Tappezzieri  carpeting
• Bixio C.E.M.S.A  music production
• CIAK Italia  production equipment
• Cinears S.r.l.  set furnishing
• Cinesicurtà  insurance
• Cinevox Records  soundtrack released by
• De Paolis, Rome  sound stages
• Dedalo S.r.l.  set furnishing
• Franco Petracca & Co.  lighting
• G.P. 11 Safas Cantini  costume house (as G.P. 11)
• G.R.P. S.r.l.  set furnishing
• Hungarofilm  dialogue film studio: Budapest Sequences
• Immaginateca Sas  carpeting
• L.A.B.A. S.r.l.  costume jewelry
• L.C.P.  footwear
• R.P.A. Elios Studios  sound stages
• Rocchetti e Carboni  wigs
• Romana Trasporti Cinematografici S.r.l.  transportation
• Sound Track S.n.c  additional sound effects
• Studio A.M.  titles and opticals
• Technovision  camera equipment provided by

Also Known As:

Cathedral of Demons
Demon Cathedral
Demons 3
In the Land of the Demons
The Church

Runtime:

102 min | USA:98 min (R-rated version)

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian | Hungarian | Latin

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Italy:VM14 | Australia:R | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company:

ADC Films

Trivia:

Originally, Soavi and Argento wanted to shoot the movie in the Lorenzkirche of Nuremberg (Germany), and even did some test shots there. However, it was abandoned because the town of Nuremberg didn't wanted a horror movie to be shot there.

Quotes:

Bridal Model: Why isn't anybody doing anything to get me out of here?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Death Is Beautiful: Michele Soavi Directs Dellamorte Dellamore (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Civil Wars

It's a visual stunner!

After making the excellent slasher Deliria (1987), director Michele Soavi collaborated with genre master Dario Argento to produce this above-average tale of demonic evils.

Church constructed upon the mass grave of some medieval witches begins to unleash demons upon its subjects.

Soavi gives La Chiesa such great visual style and inventive direction that it becomes one of the most beautifully atmospheric Italian horror films out there. The storyline falls short at times with some thin plotting, but there isn't a dull moment in this surreal journey. It's a solidly well made film, with some nice special effects, slick cinematography, and colorful imagery. There's a number of dream like scenes in the film and a few unforgettably shocking ones, like the subway escape scene.

Goblin and Keith Emerson provides a unique and beautiful music score that's downright powerful.

The cast also helps to carry the film. Attractive Tomas Arana and Barbara Cupisti make for good leads. Argento's daughter Asia Argento appears as a youngster in the film. The supporting cast is also in good form, despite the English dubbing.

All around, La Chiesa is a great European horror film, especially seen in a technical light or just for style. But horror genre fans will find plenty to enjoy as well.

*** 1/2 out of ****