The Wrath of God (1972)

Set in the 1920s, several foreigners held by a South American military group are offered possible freedom if they accept to topple a local crazed military leader.

Director:

Ralph Nelson

Writers:

Jack Higgins (as James Graham), Jack Higgins (novel) (as James Graham)

Stars:

Robert Mitchum, Frank Langella, Rita Hayworth

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Mitchum	...	Father Oliver Van Horne
Frank Langella	...	Thomas De La Plata
Rita Hayworth	...	Señora De La Plata
John Colicos	...	Colonel Santilla
Victor Buono	...	Jennings
Ken Hutchison	...	Emmet Keogh
Paula Pritchett	...	Chela
Gregory Sierra	...	Jurado
Frank Ramírez	...	Carlos Moreno
Enrique Lucero	...	Nacho
Jorge Russek	...	Cordona
Chano Urueta	...	Antonio
José Luis Parades	...	Pablito
Aurora Clavel	...	Señora Moreno
Victor Eberg	...	Delgado

Storyline

Irish adventurer Emmett Keogh finds himself partnered with a hard-drinking priest named Van Horne in revolutionary Central America. Tricked into delivering guns by smuggler/con man Jennings, the three end up joining forces against despot Tomas de la Plata, who treats his subjects ruthlessly and who has a special hatred for priests. Van Horne, who seems to be a priest in costume only, decides to stand up to de la Plata and lead a revolt against him.

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Plot Keywords:

ammo belt | ammo | belt | cartridge belt | cartridge | 

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Taglines:

Introducing "FATHER" VAN HORNE. He's not exactly what the Lord had in mind.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 November 1972 (France)

Also Known As:

Zum Teufel mit Hosianna

Filming Locations:

Bavispe, Sonora, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineman, Rainbow Releasing

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Production on the movie stopped Dec. 23, 1971, after Ken Hutchinson had an accident in his hotel room with his hand through a pane of glass. After debate whether to replace him and re-shoot, he recovered sufficiently by mid-January to continue.

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Goofs

When Keogh is knocked backwards on a balcony, the stuntman intends to fall back out of sight before a second double for Keogh comes into sight and rolls down the adjacent stairs. But for a moment, both "Keoghs" are visible at the same time.

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Quotes

De La Plata: You were going to have a very lonely walk, priest.
Father Oliver Van Horne: You're here. That's most important of all.
De La Plata: I had thought suicide was a mortal sin, priest.

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Connections

Featured in Robert Mitchum, le mauvais garçon d'Hollywood (2018)

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Soundtracks

Molly Malone
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by Ken Hutchison

User Reviews

good violent western

It's a revolutionary central American country in 1920s. Oliver Van Horne (Robert Mitchum) is dressed as a priest. Irishman Emmet Keogh (Ken Hutchison) buys a ticket to anywhere to escape the growing unrest but it gets stolen. He encounters men loyal to revolutionary leader Colonel Santilla (John Colicos). He tries to rescue mute native girl Chela from them only to get strung up and then they're both rescued by Van Horne. They are captured by Santilla. The two imprisoned men and immoral gunrunner Jennings are recruited to assassinate his opponent Thomas De La Plata (Frank Langella) who is using a mine for his war chest. Rita Hayworth plays De La Plata's mother.

This has the Peckinpahesque violence like shooting a kid in the back. It's like a spaghetti western. The motivations are a little clunky. There are some compelling characters although Hutchison may not be leading man material. His looks is more towards villainous henchman. It's also notable for being Hayworth's last film. Her role is very much supporting and most compelling for the name. The Mexican location is great and the local colors are enticing. This is a fine B-movie.