The Book of Life (1998)

The end of the millenium has taken on a certain significance in modern day prophecies. What happens if Jesus Christ has second thoughts about the Apocalypse? It is December 31, 1999 and New... See full summary »

Director:

Hal Hartley

Writer:

Hal Hartley

Stars:

Martin Donovan, P.J. Harvey, Thomas Jay Ryan

Cast

Credited cast:
Martin Donovan	...	Jesus Christ
P.J. Harvey	...	Magdalena
Thomas Jay Ryan	...	Satan
Miho Nikaido	...	Edie
Anna Köhler	...	Hotel Clerk
Martin Pfefferkorn	...	Martyr
Layla Alexander	...	Waitress (as Olga Alexandrova)
Michael Marisi Ornstein	...	Computer Wizard (as Michael Ornstein)
Paul Albe	...	Mormon Thug #1
Don Creech	...	Mormon Thug #2
Joseph McKenna	...	Man at Airport
Abby Royle	...	Woman at Airport
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
William S. Burroughs	...	Preacher on radio (voice)
Katreen Hardt	...	Lawyer's Assistant
Georgia Hubley	...	Salvation Army Band (as Yo La Tengo)

Storyline

The end of the millenium has taken on a certain significance in modern day prophecies. What happens if Jesus Christ has second thoughts about the Apocalypse? It is December 31, 1999 and New Year's Eve takes on new meaning when the Devil, Jesus Christ, and Christ's assistant Magdelina discuss and debate the end of the world, the opening of the seven seals, and the essence of being human.

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Plot Keywords:

prophecy | december | end of the world | devil | new year's eve | 

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Taglines:

A controversial retelling of the Apocalypse

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 1999 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Az élet könyve

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$350,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Haut et Court, La Sept-Arte, True Fiction Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

63 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[about human beings]
Satan: It's amazing the things they do. They're inventing themselves now. Artificial intelligence and cybergenetics and so on.
Jesus Christ: It's impressive, I admit.
Satan: They're cross-fertilizing pears with apples and goats with sheeps, tobacco plants with lightning bugs.
Jesus Christ: Now that's just stupid.
Satan: Well, I agree.

User Reviews

Excellent, almost made me like Christianity

Hal Hartley entry into a European film series is one of his two or three best efforts to date, and, lucklily, one of the few available on DVD. At only 63 minutes running time, my only quibble would be with Hartley I always leave wanting more, but never so much as this time. Martin Donovan is astonishing as Jesus. PJ Harvey is beautiful and interesting as Magdelena, but the high point for me was Thomas Jay Ryan (Henry Fool) as Satan. Hartley gives him excellent dialogue and a chance to use his resounding voice to full effect. Look for three scenes in which a microphone awaits him, as if a poetry slam is about to be won by the devil. I have read other comments on this film and had to add mine because there is not enough praise going around. If you like Henry Fool, Martin Donovan in anything (Opposite of Sex), and/or very clever comedies based on biblical ideas, get this as quickly as possible.