God Told Me To (1976)

A New York detective investigates a series of murders committed by random New Yorkers who claim that "God told them to."

Director:

Larry Cohen

Writer:

Larry Cohen (original screenplay)

Stars:

Tony Lo Bianco, Deborah Raffin, Sandy Dennis

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Lo Bianco	...	Peter J. Nicholas
Deborah Raffin	...	Casey Forster
Sandy Dennis	...	Martha Nicholas
Sylvia Sidney	...	Elizabeth Mullin
Sam Levene	...	Everett Lukas
Robert Drivas	...	David Morten
Mike Kellin	...	Deputy Commissioner
Richard Lynch	...	Bernard Phillips
Sammy Williams	...	Harold Gorman
Jo Flores Chase	...	Mrs. Gorman
William Roerick	...	Richards
Lester Rawlins	...	Board Chairman
Harry Bellaver	...	Cookie
George Patterson	...	Zero
Walter Steele	...	Junkie

Storyline

The storyline of this movie involves a series of motiveless murders committed by various New York residents: a sniper shoots people from a water tower; a father murders his entire family; and a cop opens fire during a St. Patrick's Day parade. The only consistent pattern to the crimes involves the perpetrators calm admissions of guilt, explaining, "God told me to." While investigating the murders, catholic police detective Peter Nicholas is increasingly troubled by evidence of a Christ-like figure named Bernard Phillips who appeared to each of the killers and can't seem to shake the feeling that his own fate is somewhat linked to this mysterious being. As he comes closer to the truth, his worst fears are confirmed.

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Plot Keywords:

drive in classic | grindhouse film | darkness | american horror | death | 

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Taglines:

The people of this city are being terrorized. The crimes have no motives. The killers have only one explanation.

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Demon

Filming Locations:

Broadway Station, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Big Hit Productions,New World Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First movie in which Andy Kaufman was cast.

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Goofs

The car in the flashback scenes was a 1951 Chevrolet, with post-1973 New York State license plates and registration. Briefly, it also turns into a 1939 Plymouth, when it hits a pothole.

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Quotes

Nurse Jackson: There's this lady who lived next door who died a couple of days ago. I mean she just died, sitting there looking out of the window. Nobody even missed her until dinnertime. Well, you know what they say, 'there's only one cure for old age'.

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Crazy Credits

This motion picture is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Bernard Herrman.

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Connections

Referenced in Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010)

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Soundtracks

Sweet Momma Sweetlove
Lyrics by Janelle Webb
Music by Robert O. Ragland
Performed by George Gentre Griffin

User Reviews

Unique, gutsy, on the run film making

Very fine and spunky little movie that covers a lot of ground in a short time as it speeds along. Fourteen people die in the opening minutes as a sniper does what he is 'told' in his head. Some of the smaller parts are a bit wooden, but then they may be amateur or near amateur and Tony Lo Bianco is excellent in the difficult central role as first Police officer, then ex-cop investigating on his own and gradually discovering he too may be a son of God ready to go on a killing spree. We get everything from alien abduction and naked donors cast into the night to gory self stabbings. Cohen even has the audacity to show us his mutant Christ and get away with it. Unique, gutsy, on the run film making.