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 | Gas Chamber | Serial Killer | Product Placement

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 scene where the rafter collapses whilst Hobbes (Denzel Washington) is in the basement of the cabin was in neither the script nor the original cut of the film. During test screenings, the scene played out with Hobbes simply looking around, finding the book, and leaving. However, at one particular screening, during that scene, a member of the audience got up to go to the bathroom, and as he left the theatre, the door made a loud bang, causing everyone in the theatre to jump. This prompted the Warner Bros. executives to suggest that perhaps a sudden scare should be shot and inserted into the scene so as to enhance the tension even further.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Hobbes returns to the wood cabin towards the end of the film, he enters and stands looking around for a moment, with a window to his left. A definite human shadow can be seen walking past the window, despite Hobbes supposed to being alone.

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:

Superman

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.