The Relic (1997)

Director:

Peter Hyams

Writers (WGA):

Douglas Preston (novel) and
Lincoln Child (novel) ...

Release Date:

10 January 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

They did the unthinkable. They brought it back.

Plot:

A researcher at Chicago's Natural History Museum returns from South America with some crates containing his findings...

Plot Keywords:

German Shepherd | DNA Testing | Fire | Dog | Detective

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Penelope Ann Miller	...	Dr. Margo Green
Tom Sizemore	...	Lt. Vincent D'Agosta
Linda Hunt	...	Dr. Ann Cuthbert
James Whitmore	...	Dr. Albert Frock
Clayton Rohner	...	Det. Hollingsworth
Chi Moui Lo	...	Dr. Greg Lee
Thomas Ryan	...	Tom Parkinson
Robert Lesser	...	Mayor Robert Owen
Diane Robin	...	The Mayor's Wife
Lewis Van Bergen	...	John Whitney
Constance Towers	...	Mrs. Blaisedale
Francis X. McCarthy	...	Mr. Blaisedale
Audra Lindley	...	Dr. Zwiezic
John Kapelos	...	McNally
Tico Wells	...	Bailey

Also Known As:

Relikt - Das Museum der Angst, Das (Germany) (TV title)
Relikt, Das (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for monster violence and gore, and for language.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA | UK | Germany | Japan | New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Philippines:PG-13 | South Korea:15 | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:12 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Audra Lindley's last feature film.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: The tank into which Margo falls only contains hot water, used to loosen skin from a carcass. At the time she enters this tank, it is switched off and the water is cold.

Quotes:

Martini: Never thought there'd be a worse way to die than a shark attack. Having my head ripped off never occurred to me.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Flashback - Mörderische Ferien (2000)

Soundtrack:

SUNRISE

A underrated, genuinely haunting monster movie.

A researcher at Chicago's National History Museum returns from South America with some crates containing his findings. When the crates arrive at the museum without the owner there appears to be very little inside. However, police discover gruesome murders on the cargo ship that brought the crates to the US and then another murder in the museum itself. Investigating the murders is Lt. Vincent D'Agosta who enlists the help of Dr. Margo Green at the museum - she has taken an interest in the contents of her colleague's crates. Unknown to both there is a large creature roaming the museum which is gearing itself up for a benefit reception which the city's mayor is to attend. A horrific monster, haunting the lower-levels of the museum, shows up uninvited. Peter Hyam's "The relic" is a atmospheric, sinister, dark horror movie that scared the hell out of me! I loved the book and the films just as good. There's lots of gory decapitations and the creature effects from Stan Winston studios are beautifully done. A dark work of art, not some crappy "Monster-on-the-loose" film many have called it. 10/10.