The Celestine Prophecy (2006)

Director:

Armand Mastroianni

Writers (WGA):

James Redfield (screenplay) &
Barnet Bain (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

20 July 2006 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

The book that changed our lives is now a movie

Plot:

An adaptation of James Redfield's novel about the search for a sacred manuscript in the Peruvian rain forest.

Plot Keywords:

Search | Prophecy | Rain Forest | Peru | Scroll

Cast

Matthew Settle	...	John
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Wil
Sarah Wayne Callies	...	Marjorie
Annabeth Gish	...	Julia
Hector Elizondo	...	Cardinal Sebastian
Joaquim de Almeida	...	Father Sanchez
Jürgen Prochnow	...	Jensen (as Jurgen Prochnow)
John Aylward	...	Dobson
Castulo Guerra	...	Father Jose
Obba Babatundé	...	Miguel (as Obba Babatunde)
Robyn Cohen	...	Charleen
Petrus Antonius	...	General Rodriguez
Rachel Erickson	...	Little Girl
Joel Antonio Juan	...	Prison Guard
Vernee Watson-Johnson	...	Principal (as Vernee Watson Johnson)
Oliver Adams	...	Basketball Pricipal Player
Martha Delgado	...	Marietta
Gerson Guilicke	...	Houseman
David E. Harshbarger	...	Photographer
Robert Harvey	...	Bellman
Patrick Holland	...	Young Priest
Piper Howse	...	Flight Attendant
Manny James	...	Rodriquez's Aide
James Thomas Lee Knight	...	Basketball Principal Player (as J.T. Knight)
Eli T. Peña	...	Military Guard (as Eli T. Pena)
Bruno A. Ramos	...	Rebel Leader
Kyle Reed	...	The Cop
Tequan Richmond	...	Basketball Principal Player
Aaron Grady	...	Basketball Player
James Keywood Johnson	...	Basketball Player
Sammy Kahn	...	Basketball Player
Andrew Michaelson	...	Basketball Player
Tanner Perkins	...	Basketball Player
Ryan Sparks	...	Basketball Player
Juliano Zapata	...	Basketball Player
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jim Accomando	...	Mission Monk (uncredited)
Ben Affan	...	Villager (uncredited)
Jay Amor	...	Rebel Leader (uncredited)
Angela Antinori	...	Hotel Guest (uncredited)
Georgia Chris	...	Villager (uncredited)
Sean Michael Davis	...	Officer Daniels (uncredited)
Eric Esteban	...	Heavenly Spirit (uncredited)
Khris Gibston	...	Hotel Guest (uncredited)
Cal Johnson	...	Mercenary #1 (uncredited)
Bryan Lugo	...	Spanish Conquistador (uncredited)
Vinicius Machado	...	Spanish Conquistador (uncredited)
J.C. Marquez Pulita	...	Prison Guard (uncredited)
Walter Medina	...	Rebel Soldier (uncredited)
Rich Petrelli	...	Prison Guard (uncredited)
Joey Reinert	...	Prophet (uncredited)
Jason Rosell	...	Prison Guard (uncredited)
Barbrette Roth	...	Hotel Patron (2004) (uncredited)
Thomas Russ	...	Rebel Solider (uncredited)
Dominick Vicchiullo	...	Operative (uncredited)

Directed by
Armand Mastroianni

Writing credits (WGA)
James Redfield		(screenplay) &
Barnet Bain		(screenplay) and
Dan Gordon		(screenplay)
James Redfield		(novel)

Produced by
Barnet Bain	....	producer
Beverly J. Camhe	....	producer (as Beverly Camhe)
Terry Collis	....	producer
James Redfield	....	producer
Salle Merrill Redfield	....	executive producer
Damaris Valero	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Nuno Malo

Cinematography by
R. Michael Givens		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Maysie Hoy
Scott Vickrey

Casting by
Andrea Stone-Brokaw		(as Andrea Stone)

Production Design by
James L. Schoppe

Set Decoration by
Vera Mills

Costume Design by
Suzy Freeman

Makeup Department
Rebecca DeHerrera	....	makeup department head
Jane Hassinger	....	hair department head
Diane Maurno	....	key makeup artist
Randa Squillacote	....	hair stylist
Christine Wostak	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Darryl Beckerleg	....	production supervisor
Terry Collis	....	unit production manager
John Howard	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Carl Lawrence Ludwig	....	first assistant director (as Carl Ludwig)
Steven Ritzi	....	second unit director (as Steve Ritzi)
Jack Steinberg	....	second assistant director
Cheeba White	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Alvaro	....	greens person: second unit, Costa Rica
Jason Arteaga	....	scenic artist
John Balling	....	scenic artist (as John Ballino)
William R. Bricker	....	propmaker (as William Bricker)
Patrick Briggs	....	carpenter
Michael Charboneau	....	propmaker
Rex Christensen	....	on-set dresser
Harold Collins	....	propmaker (as Harold F. Collins Jr.)
Raymond Consing	....	storyboard artist
James P. Crapser	....	construction foreman
Vern Crofoot	....	assistant property master
Paul Damien	....	propmaker
Peter Damien	....	construction coordinator
Henry Dando	....	greensperson
Norman C. Dulaney	....	lead man
Nicklas Farrantello	....	scenic artist
Gustavo	....	greens person: second unit, Costa Rica
James Harris	....	carpenter
Jeffrey Harris	....	propmaker
David E. Harshbarger	....	property master
Timothy Kelly	....	swing
Herman McEachin	....	construction coordinator
Jody McFarland	....	swing
Jim Mitchell	....	production illustrator (as James Mitchell)
Kate Mulhearn	....	construction office production assistant
James B. Perdue	....	scenic artist
Paul S. Power	....	storyboard artist (as Paul Power)
Nelson Quiles	....	scenic artist
Christopher Scheetz	....	construction foreman
John Votel	....	scenic artist
Robert Welch	....	greensperson
Andrew Wert	....	prop assistant
Jim S. Williams	....	lead greens
Doug Wilson	....	swing
Laura Worsham	....	prop production assistant
Charli Harshbarger	....	assistant property master (uncredited)
Julia Starr Sanford	....	set designer (uncredited)
James Palmer Schoppe	....	art department assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Thomas E. Allen	....	sound mixer (as Tom E. Allen Sr.)
Steven Avila	....	sound effects editor
James Bailey	....	foley walker
Trip Brock	....	sound re-recording mixer
Trip Brock	....	supervising sound editor
Scott Clements	....	boom operator
Gary W. Ek	....	sound department production assistant
Michael J. Fox	....	adr supervisor (as Mike Fox)
Peter D. Lago	....	foley editor (as Peter Lago)
Peter D. Lago	....	sound effects editor (as Peter Lago)
Jackie Oster	....	dialogue editor
Elana Saviolis	....	post sound coordinator
Geordy Sincavage	....	foley mixer
Geordy Sincavage	....	sound effects editor
Kelly Vandever	....	sound re-recording mixer
Steven Avila	....	sound designer (uncredited)
Melissa Oivanki	....	sound post-production coordinator (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Ron Anderson	....	special effects technician
Joe Digaetano	....	special effects coordinator
Nicolas J. Kimball	....	special effects technician
Matt Kutcher	....	special effects supervisor
Richard E. Perry	....	special effects foreman (as Rick Perry)
Kevin Presley	....	special effects technician
Jennifer M. Sheppard	....	special effects office coordinator (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Brian Beard	....	assistant visual effects coordinator
Nicholas Brooks	....	visual effects consultant: Sandbox Pictures (as Nick Brooks)
Chris Crowell	....	digital compositor: Sandbox Pictures
Christopher Dusendschon	....	digital imaging supervisor: iO Film
Joel Feder	....	systems administrator: Sandbox Pictures
Michael Gay	....	CG supervisor: Sandbox Pictures (as Michael F. Gay)
Rocco Gioffre	....	visual effects supervisor: Svengali
Julie Landholt	....	title graphics: iO Film (as J. Kathryn Landholt)
Genevieve McMahon	....	visual effects line producer: Sandbox Pictures
Kevin Mullican	....	color science/imaging r&d: iO Film
John P. Nugent	....	visual effects supervisor: Sandbox Pictures (as John Nugent)
Gerard Benjamin Pierre	....	digital compositor: Sandbox Pictures (as Benjamin Pierre)
Thomas Proctor	....	digital compositor: Sandbox Pictures (as Tom Proctor)
Nicole Samarron	....	2D artist: Sandbox Pictures
Jamie Venable	....	visual effects producer: Svengali
John Volny	....	technical director: Sandbox Pictures
Max Gabl	....	digital matte painter (uncredited)
Alexandra Papavramides	....	digital effects artist: Pocket Rocket FX (uncredited)

Stunts
Jay Amor	....	stunt performer
John DePasquale	....	stunt performer
Dennis Deveaugh	....	stunt performer
Lena Fennema	....	stunt double (as Lena J. Fennema)
Lex D. Geddings	....	stunt performer
Ralph Gonzalez	....	stunt performer
Thirl Haston	....	stunt performer
Cal Johnson	....	stunt performer
Amy Jordan	....	stunt performer
Manny Lozano	....	stunt performer
Tina Mckissick	....	stunt double
Tina Mckissick	....	stunt performer
Christina Ritzi	....	stunt performer (as Christina L. Ritzi)
Steven Ritzi	....	stunt coordinator
J.C. Robaina	....	stunt performer
Lonnie R. Smith Jr.	....	stunt performer
Taso N. Stavrakis	....	stunt performer (as Taso Stavrakis)
Hank Stone	....	stunt performer
Tommy Mack Turvey	....	stunt performer
Roel Failma	....	stunt performer (uncredited)
Cal Johnson	....	stunt double: Thomas Kretschmann (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Mike Bedore	....	grip
Peter Benison	....	camera operator
Andrew Bikichky	....	camera operator: second unit, Costa Rica (as Andy Bikichky)
Kevin J. Burroughs	....	electrician
Andy Clapp	....	best boy
Erik Curtis	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Eddie Evans	....	rigging grip
Richard Falk Jr.	....	electrician (as Ricky Falk)
Jon Baronn Farmer	....	still photographer
Buzz Feitshans IV	....	director of photography: second unit, Costa Rica
Christopher Dare Fisher	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera (as Christopher Fisher)
Sean Fisher	....	grip
Mike L. Germaine	....	electrician
Jeff Greene	....	additional photographer: One Stop
Marvin Haven	....	grip
Bruce Hazen	....	electrician
Charles 'Tom' Hinson	....	dolly grip (as Tommy Hinnson)
Robert Dan Kelly	....	camera technician: Westcam camera, second unit, Costa Rica
Jordan Klein Sr.	....	Steadicam operator (as Jordan Klein)
Jordan Klein Sr.	....	camera operator (as Jordan Klein)
Matt Lebeau	....	grip
Danny Mallory	....	key grip
John Muliler	....	electrician (as John E. Mulier)
Brian Murie	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Jack Nealy	....	best boy grip
Louis Normandin	....	grip (as Lou Normindin)
David Norris	....	camera operator: Westcam camera, second unit, Costa Rica
Ken Palladino	....	electrician
Gerald Reyez	....	grip
Ricky Ricio	....	electrician
Pierre Roseman	....	chief lighting gaffer
Esteban Sama	....	key grip: second unit, Costa Rica
Robert J. San Martin	....	additional photographer: One Stop
Dave Sonnenberg	....	electrician (as David Sonnenberg)
Maricio Trujllo	....	electrician: second unit, Costa Rica
Danny Vanzura	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Sebastian Vega	....	camera operator: second unit, Costa Rica
Robert Velicky	....	camera loader
Robert Veliky	....	camera loader
Jon Bowen	....	electrician (uncredited)
Brice Cherry	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Ronnie Dennis	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera: Los Angeles (uncredited)
R. Michael Givens	....	camera operator (uncredited)
David Norris	....	aerial director of photography: aerial unit, Costa Rica (uncredited)
Jeremy Settles	....	gaffer: Las Vegas interviews (uncredited)
Chris Tonkovich	....	electrician (uncredited)

Animation Department
Tim Hynes	....	animator: dinosaur

Casting Department
Adam Arnali	....	extras casting
Jennifer Conrader	....	extras casting
Ben Hynum	....	casting associate
Tracy Mueller	....	additional casting: Los Angeles
Stacy Pinhas	....	casting associate
Francene Selkirk	....	additional casting: Los Angeles (as Francene Selkirk-Ackerman)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Risa Garcia	....	set costumer
Stephanie Polo	....	costume supervisor
Kate Sawyer	....	seamstress
Julie S. Siegmund	....	key costumer
Anna Summers	....	costume production assistant

Editorial Department
Josh Beal	....	assistant editor
Brian Beard	....	digital intermediate editor: iO Film
Dean Chamberlain	....	digital intermediate producer: iO Film
Howard Cohen	....	digital intermediate production executive: iO Film
Evan Edelist	....	digital intermediate production executive: iO Film
Richard E. Flores	....	negative cutter (as Richard Flores)
Adam Hawkey	....	digital colorist: iO Film (as Adam S. Hawkey)
Benson Hopp	....	additional editor
Dave Jackson	....	first assistant editor
Michael John Koetter	....	assistant digital colorist: iO Film (as Michael Koetter)
Tim Krubsack	....	digital intermediate production executive: iO Film
David Fred Masselink	....	digital intermediate imaging technician: iO Film (as D. Fred Masselink)

Music Department
Joe Crnko	....	conductor
Gabriel Currington	....	additional orchestrator
Ludek Drizhal	....	additional orchestrator
Robert Fernandez	....	music score engineer
Robert Fernandez	....	music scoring mixer
Ivana Grubelic	....	score coordinator
Simon James	....	music contractor
Bill Jenkins	....	music editor
Nora Keenan	....	music production assistant
Nuno Malo	....	orchestrator
Flavio Motalla	....	additional orchestrator
Katherine Quittner	....	temp music
David Sabee	....	music contractor
Jeff Toyne	....	additional orchestrator

Transportation Department
Esteban Angulo	....	driver: second unit, Costa Rica
Jack Belcher	....	driver
Bob Campbell	....	driver
Keith N. Collis	....	picture car coordinator (as Keith Collis)
Larry Craig	....	driver
David Neil Enfinger	....	unit driver
Joseph M. Hancock	....	driver (as Joe Hancock)
Carlos Herrera	....	driver: second unit, Costa Rica
Robert Jepson	....	driver
Michael Messina	....	driver
Danny Mortenson	....	transportation coordinator (as Daniel Mortenson)
Ron Parsell	....	driver (as Ron Parsel)
Pilo	....	driver: second unit, Costa Rica
Kent L. Spainhour	....	driver (as Kent Spainhour)
Dean Stephens	....	driver: honeywagon (as Stanley Dean Stephens)
Gary Thornton	....	transportation captain
Tom	....	driver: second unit, Costa Rica
Doug Wilson	....	driver (as Robert D. Wilson)
Dave Zydorski	....	driver

Other crew
Julie Adams	....	dialogue coach
Rick Ambrose	....	location manager
John Austin	....	media consultant
Sophie Bain	....	production assistant
Brian Beard	....	assistant: Terry Collis (as Brian 'Smokin' Beard)
Carrie Bramlett	....	production assistant
Roger Brinceno Jr.	....	helicopter pilot: aerial unit, Costa Rica
Roger Brinceno Sr.	....	helicopter pilot: aerial unit, Costa Rica
Ariel Bruns	....	publicity intern
Stuart Buchman	....	security
Tony Camp	....	catering assistant: Shooting Star Catering
Bobbie Collis	....	production coordinator
Erin M. Corken	....	production assistant
Dennis Deveaugh	....	head wrangler
Louie Diego	....	helicopter technician: aerial unit
David Fencl	....	armorer
Jeff Gardner	....	chef: Shooting Star Catering
Melody Gardner	....	assistant chef: Shooting Star Catering
Victoria Gardner	....	catering assistant: Shooting Star Catering
Reva Grantham	....	craft service
Carol Green	....	unit publicist
Amy Hallwood	....	production secretary
Richard Jannine	....	adr loop group
Dena Johnston	....	first aid medic
Peter Maez	....	assistant production coordinator
Paul Mastroianni	....	assistant: Armand Mastroianni
Lynn Marie McDonald	....	assistant production accountant (as Lynn McDonald)
Nathanael J. Murray	....	assistant: Barnet Bain
Glenn Nicol	....	production accountant
Lynne Osborne	....	legal services: Greenberg Traurig
Wilberth Parajeles	....	location manager: second unit, Costa Rica
Andrew Patterson	....	production assistant
Randy Paul	....	legal services: Greenberg Traurig
Blake Perkinson	....	production assistant
Eli T. Peña	....	assistant: Armand Mastroianni
Carlos Reza	....	production assistant
Jeff Ross	....	behind-the-scenes
Cara Sachse	....	accounting production assistant
Marty Smith	....	craft service assistant
Chris Sullivan	....	production assistant
Mai-Khanh Ta	....	assistant production accountant
Matt Tulve	....	production assistant
Michael Violante	....	security
Kathryn Waters	....	script supervisor
Suzanne Wright	....	teacher
Alberto Carroll	....	teacher (uncredited)
Cymbre Walk	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
John Austin	....	in memory of

Production Companies

• Celestine Films LLC
• Barnet Bain Films
• Animus Entertainment Group
• Kingston Companies, The

Distributors

• RAM Entertainment (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• Benelux Film Distribution (2006) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Celestine Films Holding Company
• Celestine (2007) (Austria) (all media)
• Celestine (2007) (Germany) (all media)
• Celestine (2007) (Liechtenstein) (all media)
• Celestine (2007) (Switzerland) (all media)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• LK-TEL (2008) (Argentina) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Sandbox F/X (visual effects)
• Spectrum Effects
• Svengali Visual Effects (matte paintings)

Other Companies

• BBC Motion Gallery  stock footage
• Bastyr University Chapel  music recorded at
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Christensen Group, The  casting associate
• Cineworks Digital Studios  laboratory & video services
• Classic Images  stock footage
• Corbis Motion  stock footage
• Film Art  halo art work painting
• Footage Bank  stock footage
• GEP  AVID rental
• GEP  additional telecine
• Getty Images  stock footage
• Got Films  grip and lighting equipment
• Greenberg Traurig  legal services
• Lightnin' Production Rentals  transportation equipment
• Monkeyland Audio  post-production sound services
• Monkeyland Audio  sound post-production
• Monkeyland Audio  sound re-recording
• MovieScore Media  soundtrack
• Northwest Sinfonia  music performed by (as The Northwest Sinfonia and Chorale)
• One Stop Productions  additional photography (as One Stop)
• Panther Library  stock footage
• Pictorvision  aerial camera system
• Producer's Library Service  stock footage
• Reel Team, The  loop group
• Seattlemusic  music location recording (as Seattle Music)
• Shooting Star Catering  catering
• Studio City Sound  additional recording
• VTL Productions  stock footage
• WGBA/Nova  stock footage
• iO Film  digital intermediate
• iO Films  digital intermediate

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG for some violence

Runtime:

USA:99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Costa Rica

Company:

Celestine Films LLC

Trivia:

About 41 minutes into the movie, there is a brief external shot of what appears to be a Spanish temple or a church set in the jungle. This building is actually the exterior of Ponce de Leon Hall, Flagler College, in St. Augustine, FL, which has been blue-screened into a jungle setting. The following interior shots, of a beautiful rotunda, where Hector Elizondo and the General are talking, is the actual interior of Ponce Hall, Flagler College. There was very little set design done - the stained glass windows, paintings on the walls, the rotunda ceiling - are all actually part of the building's original decor at the time of its construction, and can be seen by any visitor to the campus.

Goofs:

Continuity: A bareheaded kid flubbed a shot on the court; immediately after, when John compared him to Michael Jordan, he was wearing a reversed baseball cap.

Muddled movie-making

If there are any secrets of life, if there are any universal truths which can guide us, this film failed to illuminate them.

While an acceptable piece of movie making, Celstine Prophecy fell down in that category as well. Its main cinematic problems -- a lead actor who basically can't act; dialog that sometimes made even good actors like Hector Elizondro look bad and a confusing, inconclusive ending that failed completely to provide the "pay off" that is usually required to send the audience away feeling satisfied.

But this picture, first of the current mysticism or spirituality films to hit the screen this year, was also supposed to be about something more than movie making. While one could debate the validity of its philosophy till the cows come home, it would seem fitting to note just a couple of things.

The film, and the book which spawned it, are both called "The Celestine Prophecy," yet no prophecy was really detailed or even outlined. There were only some vague references to scrolls written about 500 or 600 AD which seemed to predict that sometime in the future the world would be racked with war and strife. Well, gosh, that's really going out on a limb, isn't it? Since the Dark Ages were racked with war and strife and since basically the entire history of mankind is filled with war and strife, predicting more war and strife doesn't make you insightful in my view. Its like predicting hurricanes are going to hit the Gulf Coast. Only FEMA could have been caught off guard by hurricanes in hurricane season.

Anyway, the scrolls are more about insight into human behavior than anything else, or so it would appear. Whose insight? That is not only never disclosed, its not even addressed in the film. Which gives us the image of a lot of seemingly well educated people willing to change their entire lives because of eight scrolls, which may be the earliest known examples of the chain letter.

And what is the philosophy? That isn't exactly explained either. Best I could figure out, it was a cross between the "feel the force, Luke," idea from Starwars and "The Power of Positive Thinking" stuff put forth in self help books in the 50s. It went a little beyond that, as it also included the kind of "look at the beauty around you" talk that usually came from people urging you to ingest controlled substances, probably not an unusual past-time for people in the Peruvian jungle.

This is a work of fiction, so the author was probably not intending it to become the foundation of a worldwide movement. But then maybe L. Ron Hubbard had good intentions, too, but the next thing we knew, we had Tom Cruise jumping up and down on a sofa and then planting his demon seed in poor little Katie Holmes and now we've got to mount a rescue mission to get her and her child away from those people. Gee, I wonder what Peter Graves and Marty Landeau are doing these days?

That brings us back to movie making and there was some good acting in "Celestine," mostly from the girls. Full props to Sarah Wayne Callies and the always reliable Annabeth Gish who both did fine jobs with their roles.

A marginal thumbs up, but very marginal. There are better cinematic experiences around and much better philosophical ones.