IMDb > The Book of Life (1998)

The Book of Life (1998) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   1,037 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 9% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Hal Hartley
Writer:
Hal Hartley (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Book of Life on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 May 1999 (Belgium) more
Genre:
Comedy more
Tagline:
A controversial retelling of the Apocalypse
Plot:
The end of the millenium has taken on a certain significance in modern day prophecies. What happens... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
User Comments:
Provocative and funny more (31 total)

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)
Ira Kaplan ... Salvation Army Band (as Yo La Tengo)
James McNew ... Salvation Army Band (as Yo La Tengo)
D.J. Mendel ... Lawyer
Dave Simonds ... Dave

James Urbaniak ... True Believer
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
63 min
Country:
France | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Certification:
UK:12
Filming Locations:
Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA more
Company:
Haut et Court more

Fun Stuff

Quotes:
Jesus Christ: I had considered the truth of the gospels to be self evident, but I had no idea it would be perverted by people who claimed to preach it in my name. more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful.
Provocative and funny, 2 May 2001
Author: deedee2005 from San Francisco

Unable to find a rental, I broke down and bought this film, and am delighted that I did. I've seen Martin Donovan only once before, in Onegin. I thought he was British! Surprise! There are so many great scenes and lines in The Book of Life, it would be impossible and unfair to list them all and I couldn't do it justice anyway. Jesus is portrayed as happy to be back among human beings helpless as they (we) are; he's compassionate, but weary of the job he's been charged to do. Who wouldn't be? And, God's kicked him out of heaven, for some reason which was not clear, or perhaps I missed. Another reason to be weary! Jesus and the devil have it out in a most amazing scene. Listen carefully, there are some great lines that are almost thrown away. I have one complaint that has to do with a common and incorrect reading of Scripture. Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute. She was possessed by demons which Jesus cast out, but she was NOT a prostitute. That was another woman.. .

This was also my first Hal Hartly film, and while I loved the antics, and interesting movements of the actors, the soundtrack, (P.J. Harvey singing "To Sir With Love" in the record store with music blasting in the background!) I was a little put off with the "ethereal" camera work. It definitely worked for certain moments, but I felt that it was somewhat distracting, and I wish this technique had been used a little less. I'm one of those whose optical nervous system can't handle broad sweeps or quick, jerky movements of camera work. Otherwise I give this film top rating, and am a new Hal Hartley fan.

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