The murder of Sister Ann Vanya is conveyed with a remarkable minimalism all shot facing the wall of her dormitory block where the window of her room lights up, her shadow is seen passing in front of it, followed by a second shadow; fade out and fade in again the next morning showing hers is the only window still lit. For example one of my favorite horror films is Alice Sweet Alice, I think The Exorcist is a well-written drama, and I lean towards the Italian films with spiritual or religious imagery. Twenty-three more books followed, creating a best-selling mystery series mostly set in Detroit and reflecting the personality of its hero, Father Robert Koesler, a diocesan priest with a penchant for sleuthing." The Rosary Murders" was named one of the . This film is not as bad as some of the comments might have painted it. Kienzle's books are set mostly in Detroit, Michigan . Life in the Catholic Church of the Holy Redeemer in Detroit is upset by a series of killings whose victims are all priests and nuns. What might have benefited is a reflection on what unfolds from a spiritual perspective. On January 13, 1978 Ted Bundy broke into the Chi Omega Sorority House on the campus of Florida State University and went on a rampage. Donald Sutherland still seems to be suffering from his brush with the Body Snatchers in his role as the bland, befuddled and barely audible Father Bob Koesler, a parish priest turned detective in "The Rosary Murders." There were many websites that shared various versions of the story. I contacted Bill Zlatos, the Pittsburgh reporter who wrote the profile on Monsignor William Kerr, who said he probably would have used the mysterious force part of the story if he had heard it from Monsignor Kerr. The Rosary Murders deals with a lot of complex issues in the Catholic church, someone might argue the plot of this film is absurd, but it's not. That's not to say it's bad film, but it doesn't exactly keep you on the edge of your seatwhich a mystery ought to. The Associated Press did not write about this story and to insinuate otherwise adds fuel to fire of the negative opinions of those on the Snopes forum. The late hour of the attack leads credibility to the assertion she fell asleep. Rated the #456 best film of 1987. Much of the blame for these problems seems to lie with novelist Elmore Leonard co-writing the script. There is no evidence to conclude thata mysterious force prevented Ted Bundy from continuing his slaughter that night. One of his best known novels is his first, The Rosary Murders (1978), which was made into a 1987 movie starring Donald Sutherland as Father Koesler. Donald Sutherland with short hair = bad movie. We are in the business of saving souls, not lives. I fail to see this guy's acting abilities. The Science Fiction Horror and Fantasy Film Review. Sutherland knows who the killer is after the killer tells him during confession. Director Fred Walton, Screenplay Fred Walton & Elmore Leonard, Based on the Novel by William Kienzle, Producer Robert G. Laurel, Photography David Golia, Music Bobby Laurel & Don Sebesky, Special Effects Rick Josephson. Good plot and decent characters, but for today's reader marred by the fact of the casual racist, sexist and religious quips and jokes that don't sit so well today. Co-written by Elmore Leonard and directed by Fred When A Stranger Calls Walton! Pat: Belinda Bauer. What is the Spanish language plot outline for The Rosary Murders (1987)? Can range from abrupt to almost hilariously poorly timed. First time seeing this thanks to Kino's new bluray. What, if anything is true in the above story? He stands around watching people drop dead all around him. Two wonderful stars! Film Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. The Rosary Murders Trailer 1987Director: Fred WaltonStarring: Addison Powell, Belinda Bauer, Donald Sutherland, James Murtaugh, John Danelle, Josef SommerOff. Some are splendid; some are average. I contacted Bill Zlatos, the Pittsburgh reporter who wrote the profile on Monsignor William Kerr (whom he called one of the holiest persons he had ever met), who said he probably would have used the mysterious force part of the story if he had heard it from Monsignor Kerr. However, in the end, the movie is somewhat TOO calm in tone. Watch in SD. Encyclopedia.com. Yet, it's not as edgy as the central premise and everything outside of the main mystery just falls . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of serviceapply. In The Rosary Murders, Detroit priests and nuns are being methodically murdered; all are found with a plain black rosary entwined . Films Depicting NASA and the Space Program, Films That Make Dubious Claims to Being Based on True Stories, Coming of Age Stories in Fantastic Cinema, Films About Cryogenics and Suspended Animation, Disturbed Psychology as Portrayed on Film. A sleepy and glum, but well-acted and rather moving thriller. A black rosary is his calling card. No expression so you had no idea where the film was going. These theological undercurrents make for a better mystery, adding some edge to this contemplative, rather sleepy screenplay based on the novel by ex-priest William Kienzle. Confession Criminelle, Rosary Murders MPAA Rating. Sutherland has a sincere presence about him, that even if he looks half-asleep. Father Edward Killeen: Break the seal of confession, and you destroy the Church. I believe this was his first novel too. Sem dvida, esta histria de detetive est entre as melhores que j li. 24 Feb. 2023 . "The Rosary Murders Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. | Never thought the introspective drama portion of a Leonard crime story would be the part that most resonated with me. This book is a run of the mill police procedural, made more interesting by its portrayal of the state of the Catholic Church and the city of Detroit in the late seventies. This book did a good job weaving all the pieces of a complex murder mystery together -- until the last chapter. I came across this book at my mother-in-laws. Can You Match These Saints to Their Weird Patronages? When producer Robert G. Laurel bought the rights to The Rosary Murders, Kienzle's first novel . Pull Yourself Together. Nothing amazing. This 1987 movie was just awful. The Rosary Murders. I originally read this in high school. While he was a good writer, this kind of story was not what he was good at. It could have been just another routine shocker, but a clever script and some unusually taciturn direction turns the otherwise familiar material into a modest but intriguing whodunit (actually more a 'whydunit') set against the rituals and mysteries of the Catholic Church, always a reliable source of guilt and intrigue. . The Rosary Murders sees Donald Sutherland as a conflicted priest, investigating a serial killer of persons of the cloth. But this book was a nice little mystery. All victims are found with a black rosary in their hands. Awesome read! However, Elmore Leonards script makes the film is far more than just a novelty detective story a la The Father Dowling Mysteries (1989-91). He was ordained to the priesthood in 1954 and spent twenty years as a Roman Catholic parish priest. But this flaw will not diminish your enjoyment of the film, as there is enough action to keep the murder mystery fan happy. Not because of why he did it but because of the blunt statement made by the killer. Detroit, Michigan, USA Technical Specs. best sustainable website design . Okay, I will get off my soapbox now. This is an oldie, but I really enjoyed it--especially all of the details about the Detroit area. Some of the scheming is a bit hard to swallow, but for most part it's smartly penned (by Elmore Leonard and Fred Walton) and the low-key approach seems to make you concentrate on the lyrical waxing (especially on those commitments to the priesthood and the self-doubting). Every time another worshiper dies, Koesler shares the responsibility but refuses to break his vows of secrecy. The making of the Rosary Murders with two original songs by Bobby Laurel. This will allow for a more in-depth discussion of the topic. However, if it is not true, we need to be clear on the facts. He had no actual intention of clearing up his wrong doings. Evil's Kristen Bouchard has had a hell of a week. This one was quite enjoyable. The story involves a series of murders associated with people in the catholic church, some laymen/laywomen while others are clergy. Kept my interest. However, I did make an effort to mention the names of the victims. Fairly standard yet still luridly fun, with a twist that doesnt feel too far off from being an American answer to WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE?. They are funny and remind me of a precursor to Stephanie Plum. Say ten "Hail Marys" while meditating on the Mystery. The movie has a gritty, junkyard-dog look to it. The Hitchcock connection should not be lost Hitchcock would surely have envied some of the scenes that Fred Walton sets up. Subplot with a potential romantic interest for Sutherland is the worst. Thriller. Sutherland, usually very good, doesn't really fit the role perfectly and the ending feels a little forced, trying to tie all the loose ends up. (*1/2). behind the killers choice of victims. Some stretches of dialogue Belinda Bauers confession, the end reading of Katharines letter are extremely moving. Rent this movie and see if you agree. He'd rather I read murder mysteries than bodice ripper romance novels with half naked people on the front. The script moves over to comment on the Catholic Church, not denouncing it per se, but criticising its lack of compassionate balance and its appallingly inadequate dismissal of both Javison and Katherines anguish. It's full of old hoary clichs about the Catholic Church; full of unnecessary filler-type sub-plots; the main plot centres around a series of truly preposterous killings in which the names of the victims are related to the 10 Commandments (although in some cases, the link is pretty tenuous); the dialogue is awful (Elmore Leonard really had an off-day with this one); and the acting atrocious. IMDb priest, confession [criminal], serial-killer, investigation, killing, nun, amateur, detective, investigator, murder, victim. The World At War 1973. A really good cast can't stop this movie from feeling, unfortunately, very tedious and dry. Leonard is of course best known as a crime novelist and a number of his works have been adapted into popular films including 52 Pick-Up (1974), Get Shorty (1995), Quentin Tarantinos Jackie Brown (1997), Paul Schraders miracle-healer film Touch (1997), Steven Soderberghs Out of Sight (1998), 3:10 to Yuma (2007) and Life of Crime (2013). Did she exist? Explores the dark connection between guilt, sex, and Catholicism. Thoroughly enjoyed this quick read from days gone by! The violence happened mostly off-screen, but managed to leave a chilling mark and the Detroit setting complements the weary imprint. No, absolutely not. I wanted to read this book after seeing the Donald Sutherland movie and I wasn't disappointed. An alright little murder mystery. Story was not what he was good at leave a chilling mark and the privacy! 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