The Divine Enforcer (Video 1992)

A monsignor recruits a new priest to his parish in Los Angeles where the newcomer proceeds to turn vigilante and take on various thugs and criminals that rule the neighborhoods.

Director:

Robert Rundle

Writers:

Randall Frakes (ghostwriter), Robert Rundle,

Stars:

Jan-Michael Vincent, Erik Estrada, Jim Brown

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jan-Michael Vincent	...	Father Thomas
Erik Estrada	...	Monsignor
Jim Brown	...	King
Judy Landers	...	Merna
Don Stroud	...	Otis
Robert Z'Dar	...	Kain
Michael M. Foley	...	Father Daniel (as Michael Foley)
Carrie Chambers	...	Kim
Hiroko	...	Hiroko
Scott Shaw	...	Ace
Lynnette Wagner	...	Hooker
Toni Falcon	...	Sandra
Sheri Jones	...	Lisa
Maureen Boyle	...	Linda
Marion Wade	...	Lori

Storyline

A mysterious new priest comes to town to stay with fellow men of the cloth Erik Estrada, and Jan-Michael Vincent. Little do they know, this ferocious father possesses extraordinary martial arts skill, crucifix blades and a gold handgun with the cross on the handle. Soon, in this "bad" neighborhood, the priest begins cleaning up the local drug dealing scum-bags. Then he meets lunatic Don Stroud in the confessional, and Stroud claims to be the bloodsucking, skull stealing "vampire" serial killer ravaging the city. The priest encounters a young lass who has visions of Stroud committing his dastardly deeds, and when the vampire kidnaps her the priest speaks the words, "Open the gates of Hell! For I am the right hand of God!!!," and sets off towards his deadliest encounter yet.

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Plot Keywords:

vigilante | serial killer | psychic | catholic priest | punched in the stomach | 

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Taglines:

In a world of evil, vengeance is his.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Deadly Avenger

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

Substandard - Even for 1991

Watching movies from 10-15 years ago always make them seem 'a bit slow' compared to contemporary movies - and this is definitely no exception.

It somehow reminds me "The Father Dowling Mysteries" with Tom Bosley from "Happy Days" as the plot could be taken directly out of a tv show: A new priest in LA has to stop a 'vampire-killer' on the loose (you'd almost think it was a spoof). In fact it would have done better as an episode of some low rated tv-crime series, because as a full length movie it just doesn't cut it.

The story is even supported by an awful soundtrack based on 1970s synthesizer sounds - but this is nothing compared to the acting which is close to appaling.

Erik Estrada is so bad that a polar bear only wearing a pair of sunglasses trying to get in to a 'penguins only'-golf club would be more convincing. Even 'easy' lines such as "What has this world come to" are recited with no feeling.

Kim Chambers is another 'great actress' from blockbuster hits such as "Karate Cop", and she puts in a similar great performance in this one...

The only positive aspect is that it was not Erik Estrada but Jim Brown doing the martial arts as I had feared after reading the movie info on cable.

In short: do not waste your time on this one. It belongs back in 1991 - and even back then I would have been disappointed.