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

This was Rita Hayworth's last completed movie. She had difficulty remembering her lines. The crew believed it was because of alcohol abuse, but only later did they realize they were seeing the early stages of her Alzheimer's condition.

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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

Emmet: Now, if you'd made it Irish whiskey...

User Reviews

Rita's Final Curtain Call

I saw The Wrath of God as a sneak preview in 1972 when I was 14. I saw it with my dad at the now long gone Sunny Isle Theater in North Miami, Florida. I recall the film was action packed and concerned a South American Revolution around the early to mid 1900s. These type of films were popular in the 1960s and early 1970s: 100 Rifles, The Wild Bunch, The Professionals, Villa Rides, and the Wrath of God. Rita Hayworth looking surprising young and attractive. I believe she was 52, but looked about 40. Her part was small, and she looked extremely unhappy. Turned out to be her last film. Nothing really great here. Only fair, but lots of action. Only stands out as Rita Hayworth's final curtain call.