Angel Heart (1987)

Harry Angel has a new case, to find a man called Johnny Favourite. Except things aren't quite that simple, and Johnny doesn't want to be found. Let's just say that, amongst the period ... See full summary »

Director:

Alan Parker

Writers:

William Hjortsberg (novel), Alan Parker (screenplay)

Stars:

Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mickey Rourke	...	Harry Angel
Robert De Niro	...	Louis Cyphre
Lisa Bonet	...	Epiphany Proudfoot
Charlotte Rampling	...	Margaret Krusemark
Stocker Fontelieu	...	Ethan Krusemark
Brownie McGhee	...	Toots Sweet
Michael Higgins	...	Dr. Albert Fowler
Elizabeth Whitcraft	...	Connie
Eliott Keener	...	Det. Sterne
Charles Gordone	...	Spider Simpson
Dann Florek	...	Herman Winesap
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Nurse
George Buck	...	Izzy
Judith Drake	...	Izzy's Wife
Gerald Orange	...	Pastor John (as Gerald L. Orange)

Storyline

Harry Angel has a new case, to find a man called Johnny Favourite. Except things aren't quite that simple, and Johnny doesn't want to be found. Let's just say that, amongst the period detail and beautiful scenery, it all gets really, really nasty.

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Plot Keywords:

singer | voodoo | blood spatter | stockings | countryside | 

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Taglines:

Harry Angel is searching for the truth... Pray he doesn't find it.

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

X

Details

Official Sites:

William Hjortsberg

Country:

USA Canada UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

6 March 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Angel Heart - Ascensore per l'inferno

Filming Locations:

Albany, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$17,185,632 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco International N.V., Winkast Film Productions, Union

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert De Niro's performance is an impersonation of Martin Scorsese.

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Goofs

In the last scene showing the closeup of Dr. Fowler's body he clearly breathes, causing the photo on his chest to rise.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Louis Cyphre: Johnny. Johnny. Johnny.

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Crazy Credits

After the end credits roll, you hear the whisper on a black screen, "Harry? Johnny?"

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Connections

Referenced in The Commune: A New Cult Classic (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Rainy Rainy Day"
By Brownie McGhee

User Reviews

Parker's peak,Rourke's finest performance.

I do not go much for that Parker kind of stuff("Midnight express" ,albeit technically breathtaking was a little racist,"Shoot the moon" was a big bore,and you've got to be into Pink Floyd to appreciate such a work as "the wall")"Angel Heart " is a different matter,because it deals with the horror and fantasy genre.Against all odds,for someone who had never tackled this difficult genre,Parker succeeded magnificently.The screenplay is first-rate,with a strong story,with an ending you'll never guess (and I will not reveal it of course!)Including drugs,voodoo,sabbath ,intense love scenes,featuring a wonderful cast:Rourke,who had never been better (and never would)and a frighteningly deadpan DeNiro cast as Louis Cipher,this movie takes us along in a meandering,labyrinthine investigation in which private detective Rourke will find so dreadful things he won't escape unharmed. The supporting cast is excellent:Charlotte Rampling stays only a few minutes on the screen ,and yet,we remember her and her tea.The same goes for the junkie doctor.I'd tone it for one thing:the elevator scene might have been borrowed from an old French movie,"Huis clos",directed by Jacqueline Audry,from Jean-Paul Sartre's play(1956).