Ticket to Heaven (1981)

David is a young man seduced by a religious cult that uses starvation, exhaustion, and brainwashing to mold recruits into money hustling disciples of a messiah-like leader. Chronicles ... See full summary »

Director:

Ralph L. Thomas

Writers:

Anne Cameron, Josh Freed (novel),

Stars:

Nick Mancuso, Saul Rubinek, Meg Foster

7 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Mancuso	...	David
Saul Rubinek	...	Larry
Meg Foster	...	Ingrid
Kim Cattrall	...	Ruthie
R.H. Thomson	...	Linc Strunc
Jennifer Dale	...	Lisa
Guy Boyd	...	Eric
Dixie Seatle	...	Sarah
Paul Soles	...	Morley
Harvey Atkin	...	Mr. Stone
Robert Joy	...	Patrick
Stephen Markle	...	Karl
Timothy Webber	...	Greg
Patrick Brymer	...	Dr. Dwyer
Marcia Diamond	...	Esther

Storyline

David is a young man seduced by a religious cult that uses starvation, exhaustion, and brainwashing to mold recruits into money hustling disciples of a messiah-like leader. Chronicles David's chilling transformation into a gaunt, mindless shadow of his former self...and his ultimate salvation when friends and family launch a plan to kidnap and deprogram him.

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Plot Keywords:

cult | brainwashing | religion | camera shot of feet | female stockinged feet | 

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Taglines:

Too frightening to be true ... Too true to be ignored.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bilet do nieba

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 4,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC), Famous Players, Ronald Cohen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[the deprogrammer knocks at the door. Eric checks him out through the side window]
Eric: It's a tall dude...
Larry: Yeah? Is it him?
Eric: [shrugs] I never met the fella.
Larry: Well if it's a cop... -they're coming in anyway, right?
Eric: If it's one of them loonies, he *aint*!

User Reviews

A real "cult" film!

TICKET TO HEAVEN is dramatically effective, sociologically interesting, and thoroughly engaging. It has one of my favorite endings,which leaves the viewer with an intense sense of catharsis and relief. Great performances, especially by R.H. Thomson as the "deprogrammer"- what a classic character! This is an unsung sleeper which lends much insight into the world of cults and their effect on families-- track it down on video if you can!