Fallen (1998)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Gregory Hoblit

Writer (WGA):

Nicholas Kazan (written by)

Release Date:

16 January 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Don't trust a soul.

Plot:

Homicide detective John Hobbes witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese's style.

Plot Keywords:

Azazel | Execution | Serial Killer | Gas Chamber | Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Denzel Washington	...	John Hobbes
John Goodman	...	Jonesy
Donald Sutherland	...	Lt. Stanton
Embeth Davidtz	...	Gretta Milano
James Gandolfini	...	Lou
Elias Koteas	...	Edgar Reese
Gabriel Casseus	...	Art
Michael J. Pagan	...	Sam
Robert Joy	...	Charles
Frank Medrano	...	Charles' Killer
Ronn Munro	...	Mini Golf Owner
Cynthia Hayden	...	Society Woman
Ray Xifo	...	Society Man
Tony Michael Donnelly	...	Toby
Tara Carnes	...	Teenage Girl

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and language.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | English | Aramaic

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:R (certificate #35527) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Philippines:PG-13 | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:M | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 (w) | Netherlands:16 (video rating) | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Singapore:NC-16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Bear Mountain Bridge, New York, USA

Company:

Turner Pictures (I)

Trivia:

The 'demon vision' footage in the film was shot using a film stock called Ektachrome, which is developed for stills photography. Additionally, the scenes were all shot at 6fps and printed at 24fps, meaning each frame is exposed 4 times. Coupled with camera movements, this technique gives a blurred/streaky quality. A mesmerizer lens was also used, which allows the camera operator to cock the lens several degrees to the left or right.

Goofs:

Continuity: When (after about 78 minutes) Hobbes enters Stanton's office, Stanton is hanging up the phone. In the next cut, when Hobbes sits down, Stanton is hanging up the phone once again

Quotes:

[first lines]
Azazel: I wanna tell you about the time I almost died....

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Making of 'Alien³' (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Excerpts from Nan Jing 1937

little recognised classic

Denzel Washington gives a strong performance in this surprisingly little known gem from director Gregory Hoblit. A classic detective thriller with a demonic edge, this film managers to keep the suspense running until the very end. With one of the most dramatic and scary personal chase sequences ever brought to the big or small screen, this film has it all, including a strong cast (Donald Sutherland and John Goodman in a surprisingly convincing non-comedy role as Hobbes partner to name but a few.)

Now reduced to a cheap video rental, if you have a spare evening, watch this film. Some great lines, truly chilling storyline, and believable characters played by a superb cast, all add up to make this a movie well worth a look.