The Prophecy Trilogy (DVD)

The Prophecy is Christopher Walken relatively unknown series of films. And short may this continue.
I bumped into the first Prophecy film on a quiet Thursday night about 3 years ago and from the opening sequence you can tell the atmosphere of the film is of serious oppression and it is almost as if the weight of God looms large over this whole picture. But that may sound overly melodramatic at this stage.

STORY

...
...and he wants to ruin the world to spite God (however like a good psychologist we discovered much later this is not the whole story)

The Prophecy
Setting the scene and characters with Gabriel attempting to annihilate God's Creation having been cast from Heaven

Prophecy II
Gabriel attempt to destroy a human / angel born child who is the new saviour

(Prophecy III) The Ascent
Gabriel returns ... more

The Prophecy is Christopher Walken relatively unknown series of films. And short may this continue.
I bumped into the first Prophecy film on a quiet Thursday night about 3 years ago and from the opening sequence you can tell the atmosphere of the film is of serious oppression and it is almost as if the weight of God looms large over this whole picture. But that may sound overly melodramatic at this stage.

STORY

The story briefly is that the Angel Gabriel (Christopher Walken) has fallen out with God and he wants to ruin the world to spite God (however like a good psychologist we discovered much later this is not the whole story)

The Prophecy
Setting the scene and characters with Gabriel attempting to annihilate God's Creation having been cast from Heaven

Prophecy II
Gabriel attempt to destroy a human / angel born child who is the new saviour

(Prophecy III) The Ascent
Gabriel returns to the fold

Each film is a cross between Terminator, (a serious version of Dogma) and Metropolis (the 1920s silent film)

What I mean by this is that Gabriel operates like The Terminator trying to kill various people who stand in his way of ruining God's creation.
The story is very much like Dogma in that if Gabriel succeeds then the Earth is wiped out of existence
And Metropolis because, some may find bizarrely, Heaven is a technological world which in Prophecy II we find to be in an abandoned industrial plant.

This is all you really need to know about the story, but more importantly

ATMOSPHERE

You need to know that the atmosphere created by the dark lighting; the power of all the characters performances of
Christopher Walken, Elias Koteas, Jennifer Beals, Vincent Spano add to the feeling of oppressiveness.

The films includes visions of Heaven and Hell which leave a staggering stark image in the mind. You do not need to be religious to watch this film, but I am sure if you were then these visions would really put the fear of God into you.

Sound / Effects and all things corporeal

As stated the use of religious chorus and imagery throughout set this apart from modern pseudo-religious creations and the effects used are all very dramatic from lightning and the shadows. While given the performances the sound and effects are kept in the background they are very bold and are almost a character performance in themselves.

CONCLUSION

The Prophecy series is certainly worth a watch, although I do feel there is something here that doesn't feel fully explored and I get the feeling there is an even better film lurking within somewhere. However the first film is certainly far superior to the other two, but I would advise against inferring that the sequels are to be avoided. Far from it.

Extras??

It is a shame there are no extras on these DVD - not even a directors commentary. Of all the DVDs in the world I think there was countless possibilities for featurettes and discussions regarding the background to the films concepts. I am on the look out for Easter Eggs - look back for revisions to this review!!

Price around £14.99 3 Discs and outer box sleeve
 

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