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Ticket to Heaven

  • 1981
  • PG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
841
YOUR RATING
Ticket to Heaven (1981)
Drama

David is a young man seduced by a religious cult that uses starvation, exhaustion, and brainwashing to mold recruits into money hustling disciples of a messiah-like leader. Chronicles David'... Read allDavid is a young man seduced by a religious cult that uses starvation, exhaustion, and brainwashing to mold recruits into money hustling disciples of a messiah-like leader. Chronicles David's chilling transformation into a gaunt, mindless shadow of his former self...and his ultim... Read allDavid is a young man seduced by a religious cult that uses starvation, exhaustion, and brainwashing to mold recruits into money hustling disciples of a messiah-like leader. Chronicles David's chilling transformation into a gaunt, mindless shadow of his former self...and his ultimate salvation when friends and family launch a plan to kidnap and deprogram him.

  • Director
    • Ralph L. Thomas
  • Writers
    • Anne Cameron
    • Josh Freed
    • Ralph L. Thomas
  • Stars
    • Nick Mancuso
    • Saul Rubinek
    • Meg Foster
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    841
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ralph L. Thomas
    • Writers
      • Anne Cameron
      • Josh Freed
      • Ralph L. Thomas
    • Stars
      • Nick Mancuso
      • Saul Rubinek
      • Meg Foster
    • 21User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 11 nominations

    Videos1

    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 22
    Video 29:17
    Watch Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 22

    Photos18

    Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Kim Cattrall, Meg Foster, and Robert Joy in Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Saul Rubinek in Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Meg Foster and Nick Mancuso in Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Meg Foster in Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Meg Foster in Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Nick Mancuso in Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Meg Foster and Robert Joy in Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Ticket to Heaven (1981)
    Kim Cattrall and Nick Mancuso in Ticket to Heaven (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nick Mancuso
    Nick Mancuso
    • David
    Saul Rubinek
    Saul Rubinek
    • Larry
    Meg Foster
    Meg Foster
    • Ingrid
    Kim Cattrall
    Kim Cattrall
    • Ruthie
    R.H. Thomson
    R.H. Thomson
    • Linc Strunc
    Jennifer Dale
    Jennifer Dale
    • Lisa
    Guy Boyd
    Guy Boyd
    • Eric
    Dixie Seatle
    • Sarah
    Paul Soles
    • Morley
    Harvey Atkin
    Harvey Atkin
    • Mr. Stone
    Robert Joy
    Robert Joy
    • Patrick
    Stephen Markle
    • Karl
    Timothy Webber
    Timothy Webber
    • Greg
    Patrick Brymer
    • Dr. Dwyer
    Marcia Diamond
    • Esther
    Michael Zelniker
    Michael Zelniker
    • Danny
    • (as Michael Zelnicker)
    Denise Naples
    • Bonnie
    Angelo Rizacos
    • Paul
    • Director
      • Ralph L. Thomas
    • Writers
      • Anne Cameron
      • Josh Freed
      • Ralph L. Thomas
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Josh Freed's book ("Moonwebs") which is the basis for this film, is about his and his friend's involvement in the Reverend Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Dwyer: Jesus was never meant to die. He failed.

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Missing/Ticket to Heaven/Vernon, Florida/The Seduction (1982)

    User reviews21

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    One of two early '80s anti-cult "cult classics."
    This 1981 film is supported by a great cast and film score. The careers of Rubinek, Cattrall and Mancuso were boosted by this excellent film. An anti-cult film, "Ticket To Heaven" (1981) shares a similar subject with "Split Image," released the following year. TTH, for me, is a much more entertaining and realistic film. Filled with dramatic moments and fine performances, it deals with the true story of a depressed young man drifting into the cult of Sun-Yung Moon. "Split Image" (1982) portrays the identity crisis of a young man seeking answers beyond the illusions of his own shallow life and those of his family and friends. His search leads him to a new-age cult, where he finds the leader and his goals to be more sinister and empty than the life he ran away from. Carried by the cast and a fine music score by Bill Conti, "Split Image" doesn't provide the realistic, powerful performances from the lead characters that make TTH the choice between the two. Both films communicate worthy messages and deserve a look. While many of life's questions can be answered by the Bible, proper spiritual guidance and direction is essential, particularly for those who are not mature enough to seek God on their own. At the time these films were released, cults were very active and predatory. Today's youth are more likely to drift into new-age or satanic cults than Christian ones or, perhaps more likely, choose a life that is without spiritual goals or substance. Both these films can help by providing some answers or by stimulating thought on subjects that might otherwise be avoided.
    helpful•8
    2
    • lampmuz
    • Sep 30, 2003

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 9, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • David the Heavenly Child
    • Filming locations
      • San Francisco, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)
      • Famous Players
      • Ronald Cohen Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • CA$4,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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