The Prophecy (1995)

Director:

Gregory Widen

Writer (WGA):

Gregory Widen (written by)

Release Date:

1 September 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller | Fantasy | Mystery

Tagline:

Dagget consults the most unlikely of sources for advice.

Plot:

The angel Gabriel comes to Earth to collect a soul which will end the stalemated war in Heaven, and only a former priest and a little girl can stop him.

Plot Keywords:

Heaven | Angel | Soul | Corpse | Young Girl

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Christopher Walken	...	Gabriel
Elias Koteas	...	Thomas Dagget
Virginia Madsen	...	Katherine
Eric Stoltz	...	Simon
Viggo Mortensen	...	Lucifer
Amanda Plummer	...	Rachael
Moriah 'Shining Dove' Snyder	...	Mary (as Moriah Shining Dove Snyder)
Adam Goldberg	...	Jerry
Steve Hytner	...	Joseph
J.C. Quinn	...	Burrows
Emma Shenah	...	Grandmother
Albert Nelson	...	Grey Horse
Shawn Nelson	...	Indian Healer
Emily Conforto	...	Sandra
Sioux-z Jessup	...	Nurse

Also Known As:

God's Army (Europe: English title)
God's Secret Army (Europe: English title)
Seraphim (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and gore, and for some language.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Finland:(Banned) (1995) (uncut) | Finland:K-16 (1995) (cut) | Finland:K-18 (2002) (uncut) | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Hungary:18 | South Korea:15 | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | Australia:M | Denmark:15 | Germany:18 | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 (video premiere) | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Superior, Arizona, USA

Company:

First Look International

Trivia:

In a bit of truly inspired foreshadowing, in 1993, 2 years before this films release, Christopher Walken played an eerily similar role to that of his portrayal of the Archangel Gabriel in The Prophecy. In the Madonna video for the song "Bad Girl" (from her album "Erotica"), Walken plays the Angel of Death who silently follows a woman (Madonna) as she is being destroyed by her lifestyle. Though there is no speaking part, his mannerisms and look are strikingly similar to his later depiction of Gabriel - even down to his slicked back hair, pale complexion and mostly black wardrobe.

Goofs:

Continuity: The red Ford pick-up truck has a winch on the front bumper in some scenes, in others it does not.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Simon: I remember the First War, the way the sky burned, the faces of angels destroyed. I saw a third of Heaven's legion banished and the creation of Hell. I stood with my brothers and watched Lucifer Fall. But now my brothers are not brothers, and we have come here where we are mortal to steal the Dark Soul, not yet Lucifer's, to serve our cause. I have always obeyed, but I never thought the War would happen again.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Aqua Teen Hunger Force: The Meat Zone (#2.9)" (2003)

Soundtrack:

Gloria Laus

Beaten Up By an Angel! ;=8)

Clunky but effective cult thriller about a lost chapter in the Book of Revelations which describes a second war in heaven, in which the arch angle Gabriel (Walken) gets cast out. Gabriel & his minons hate humans because of God's "special treatment" for humanity, and decides to hatch a sinister, and somewhat bizzare, plot to regain his place. The plot twists are uneven, but an interesting story lies at the core. Walken is wonderful as the anti-hero Gabriel, and Viggio Mortensen is a total hoot as Satan, Gabriel's rival. Eric Stoltz's character is underdeveloped, as is the relationship between Elias Koteas and Virginia Madsen. Director Widen gives his angels a refreshing cyberpunk/goth feel, rather like Tim Broadstreet's Vampire drawings - it is effectively disturbing to watch angels dressed like they belong to the Shotgun Mafia, instead of white sheets and feathered wings, but some will be put off by the contrast. This moovie spawned a less-effective sequel, and rumor has it a third one is in the making! You can tell Christopher Walken had a blast with this character, and that alone keeps the moovie interesting and effective. MooCow says if ya don't mind the silly bits, go for it! :