Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Prophecy

  • 19791979
  • PGPG
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
5.3K
YOUR RATING
Prophecy (1979)
A government health inspector is dispatched to assess the damage a logging company is causing to a patch of forest claimed by Native Americans, and comes face to face with true terror wrecking havoc in the woods.
Play trailer1:20
2 Videos
84 Photos
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
  • Thriller
A government health inspector is dispatched to assess the damage a logging company is causing to a patch of forest claimed by Native Americans, and comes face to face with true terror wrecki... Read allA government health inspector is dispatched to assess the damage a logging company is causing to a patch of forest claimed by Native Americans, and comes face to face with true terror wrecking havoc in the woods.A government health inspector is dispatched to assess the damage a logging company is causing to a patch of forest claimed by Native Americans, and comes face to face with true terror wrecking havoc in the woods.
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
5.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Frankenheimer
  • Writer
    • David Seltzer
  • Stars
    • Talia Shire
    • Robert Foxworth
    • Armand Assante
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Frankenheimer
  • Writer
    • David Seltzer
  • Stars
    • Talia Shire
    • Robert Foxworth
    • Armand Assante
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 99User reviews
    • 74Critic reviews
    • 41Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:20
    Trailer
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 3
    Video 28:52
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 3

    Photos84

    1 sheet
    Prophecy (1979)
    Prophecy (1979)
    Prophecy (1979)
    Prophecy (1979)
    Prophecy (1979)
    Prophecy (1979)
    Prophecy (1979)
    Prophecy (1979)
    Prophecy (1979)
    Prophecy (1979)
    Prophecy (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Talia Shire
    Talia Shire
    • Maggieas Maggie
    Robert Foxworth
    Robert Foxworth
    • Robas Rob
    Armand Assante
    Armand Assante
    • John Hawksas John Hawks
    Richard Dysart
    Richard Dysart
    • Iselyas Isely
    Victoria Racimo
    Victoria Racimo
    • Ramonaas Ramona
    George Clutesi
    • M'Raias M'Rai
    Tom McFadden
    • Pilotas Pilot
    Evans Evans
    • Cellistas Cellist
    Burke Byrnes
    • Fatheras Father
    Mia Bendixsen
    • Girlas Girl
    Johnny Timko
    • Boyas Boy
    Everett Creach
    • Kelsoas Kelso
    • (as Everett L. Creach)
    Charles H. Gray
    Charles H. Gray
    • Sheriffas Sheriff
    Lyvingston Holmes
    • Black Womanas Black Woman
    • (as Lyvingston Holms)
    Graham Jarvis
    Graham Jarvis
    • Shusetteas Shusette
    Jim Burk
    • Rescueras Rescuer
    • (as James H. Burk)
    Bob Terhune
    • Rescueras Rescuer
    Lon Katzman
    • Rescueras Rescuer
    • Director
      • John Frankenheimer
    • Writer
      • David Seltzer
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Grizzly
    5.2
    Grizzly
    Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell
    5.2
    Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell
    Humanoids from the Deep
    5.7
    Humanoids from the Deep
    Dead & Buried
    6.5
    Dead & Buried
    Blades
    4.9
    Blades
    The Food of the Gods
    4.5
    The Food of the Gods
    Alligator
    6.0
    Alligator
    The Prophecy
    6.4
    The Prophecy
    The Challenge
    6.2
    The Challenge
    The Children
    5.4
    The Children
    The Manitou
    5.3
    The Manitou
    Madman
    5.1
    Madman

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Katahdin, the mutant bear-monster, is portrayed by 7"2' actor/stuntman Kevin Peter Hall, who went on to play other memorable man-in-a-suit monsters of the 80s, including the giant egg-headed alien in Without Warning (1980), the titular creature in Predator (1987) and Predator 2 (1990), and Bigfoot in Harry and the Hendersons (1989).
    • Goofs
      When Maggie Verne is seen leaving the helicopter during the rain storm there is a wire visible holding her handkerchief in place so it doesn't get lost in in the winds when she purposely lets it fall out of her pocket
    • Quotes

      Maggie Verne: Rob, what is it?

      Dr. Robert Verne: It's methylmercury poisoning, that's what it is. This whole place has been contaminated.

      Maggie Verne: How do you know?

      Dr. Robert Verne: The Indians eat the fish, and they behave like they're drunk when they haven't had a drop of liquor. That raccoon convulsing and turning vicious, its brain turned to mush. Even that old man, that Indian, you saw the burns on his fingers.

      Maggie Verne: Is that from mercury?

      Dr. Robert Verne: It's from cigarettes; the reason he didn't feel it is from mercury. You see, it acts on the nervous system; it destroys the brain.

    • Alternate versions
      UK cinema and video versions received 8 secs of mandatory cuts by the BBFC to remove the shots of the raccoon writhing on the floor outside the cabin before the attack scene (the animal had been genuinely poisoned).
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Prophecy/Bloodline/Moonraker/Dracula/Nightwing (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Sweet Ride
      Written by Lionel Job and Delwin Gillman

      Performed by Southroad Connection

      Courtesy of Fourth World Productions

    User reviews99

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Decent "Nature-Runs-Amok" Flick (Mutated Nature No Less)
    "Prophecy" was released at the same general time as the popular "Alien" back in 1979. "Alien" was a fair hit at the box office (with a far better monster) while "Prophecy" didn't do very well, causing director John Frankenheimer to plummet into a depression.

    I first saw the film as a kid because I was intrigued by the 15-foot grotesque monster. As it turned out, I thought the film was merely okay. I decided to see the picture again in the mid-90s and, I don't know if it was nostalgia, but I thoroughly enjoyed "Prophecy" as an adult. I've seen it a few times since then and enjoyed it every time. As far as comparing it to "Alien," I fully admit that "Alien" is technically a much better film and way more innovative & influential, but through the years I've seen "Prophecy" about twice as often as "Alien." This proves, if nothing else, that "Prophecy" has re-watchable merit.

    THE STORY: There are problems in Maine (although the film was actually filmed in the Great Northwest) between the paper mill and the local Indians. The Natives argue that they are somehow being contaminated by the industry. Robert Foxworth and his pregnant mate Talia Shire fly up to investigate and discover that mercury poisoning from the mill is the problem. They witness a handful of loony, overgrown or hideously mutated animals that verify their findings, most notably a mutated grizzly bear that looks like it's been turned inside out (speaking of which, I didn't realize they had grizzly bears in Maine; although I suppose it could be a mutated overgrown black bear).

    The tone of the story is completely serious so don't expect any camp like in the similar "Lake Placid." Robert Foxworth is excellent as the protagonist; I'm surprised he didn't have a more stellar career. Talia Shire ("Rocky"), the sister of Francis Ford Coppola, is meek and likable. Armand Assante ("Odyssey") is robust and determined as the Native protagonist and Victoria Racimo is fabulous as his wife (squaw?).

    There are quite a few memorable scenes, like when the Natives block a forest road culminating in an intense stand-off with the paper mill personnel, chain saw and all. Another potent sequence is when Foxworth investigates the paper mill and has an intense discussion/argument with the mill boss. The manager powerfully points out that the mill simply provides what the consumers demand and that Foxworth's actual report is going to use up thousands of sheets of paper; hence, he shares responsibility.

    BOTTOM LINE: For the first hour and 15 minutes or so "Prophecy" expertly unveils the mystery while capturing the viewers attention with mounting interest. It's the last 25 minutes where the film partially stumbles. The mutated creature is fully revealed and chases the group through the forests. There's a lot of running & screaming and many die. This should be a powerful pay-off but for some reason it's not. It's merely okay, and almost boring. Still, there are some memorable visuals, like the moonlit chase through the fog-laden lake.

    "Prophecy" may not be great like "Jaws" or "Alien," but it's quite a bit better than flicks like "Grizzly."
    helpful•10
    1
    • Wuchakk
    • Mar 11, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 22, 1979 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Prophecy: The Monster Movie
    • Filming locations
      • Crofton, North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,389,402
    • Gross worldwide
      • $18,389,402
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Prophecy (1979)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Prophecy (1979) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in July
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    The Best Movies Coming This Summer
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.