The Wrath of God (1972)

Set in the 1920s, several foreigners held by a South American military group are offered possible freedom if they accept to topple a local crazed military leader.

Director:

Ralph Nelson

Writers:

James Graham (novel), Jack Higgins,

Stars:

Robert Mitchum, Frank Langella, Rita Hayworth

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Mitchum	...	Father Oliver Van Horne
Frank Langella	...	Thomas De La Plata
Rita Hayworth	...	Señora De La Plata
John Colicos	...	Col. Santilla
Victor Buono	...	Jennings
Ken Hutchison	...	Emmet Keogh
Paula Pritchett	...	Chela
Gregory Sierra	...	Jurado
Frank Ramírez	...	Carlos Moreno
Enrique Lucero	...	Nacho
Jorge Russek	...	Cordona
Chano Urueta	...	Antonio
José Luis Parades	...	Pablito
Aurora Clavel	...	Señora Moreno
Victor Eberg	...	Delgado

Storyline

Irish adventurer Emmett Keogh finds himself partnered with a hard-drinking priest named Van Horne in revolutionary Central America. Tricked into delivering guns by smuggler/con man Jennings, the three end up joining forces against despot Tomas de la Plata, who treats his subjects ruthlessly and who has a special hatred for priests. Van Horne, who seems to be a priest in costume only, decides to stand up to de la Plata and lead a revolt against him.

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Plot Keywords:

priest | 1920s | central america | smuggling | con artist | 

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Taglines:

Introducing "FATHER" VAN HORNE. He's not exactly what the Lord had in mind.

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1973 (Austria)

Also Known As:

La ira de Dios

Filming Locations:

Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineman, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Rainbow Releasing

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The part of Father Van Horne was offered to Trevor Howard.

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Goofs

When Keogh is knocked backwards on a balcony, the stuntman intends to fall back out of sight before a second double for Keogh comes into sight and rolls down the adjacent stairs. But for a moment, both "Keoghs" are visible at the same time.

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Quotes

Father Oliver Van Horne: One missing. One drunk. Swell.

User Reviews

Ralph Nelson Works Much Better in Black and White

Ralph Nelson proved himself to be a great director shooting some really great productions in black and white ("Requiem for a Heavyweight, Lilies of the Field) but his color efforts are clumsy and "TV movie-like" ("Duel at Diablo," "Embryo" and this, "The Wrath of God." Nelson captures not of the epic sweep and poignance available in this material. One could only dream of what director Sergio Leone might have accomplished, even given the awkwardly structured, exposition-laden storyline. Fortunately, Nelson had a wonderful cast (Mitchum, Buono, Hayworth and, most notably, Ken Hutchinson and John Colicos) with which to work. Only Frank Langella seems to indulge in overacting, and he arrives more than 45 minutes after the beginning of the film (my "45 minute" rule: if a two hour movie is still introducing major characters after 45 minutes, the movie is usually a dog. Fortunately, Nelson handles the humor better than the drama and there is an abundance of it, albeit irreverent.

The theme of "The Wrath of God" is "redemption through sacrifice." Mitchum did this better in "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison". Sam Peckinpah did it better with "The Wild Bunch". Richard Brooks did it better with "The Professionals". Heck, even Anthony Quin did it better in "Guns for San Sebastian," the movie this one most nearly resembles thematically. Still, there is much to enjoy in "The Wrath of God" to dismiss it entirely, even with the flat, disappointing ending. I give "The Wrath of God" a "5".