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A Certain Sacrifice

  • 19791979
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
2.3/10
754
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Madonna in A Certain Sacrifice (1979)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Music
A street-wise teen gets herself in a series of circumstances and mishaps in her meaningless existence.A street-wise teen gets herself in a series of circumstances and mishaps in her meaningless existence.A street-wise teen gets herself in a series of circumstances and mishaps in her meaningless existence.
IMDb RATING
2.3/10
754
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Stephen Jon Lewicki
  • Writers
    • Stephen Jon Lewicki
    • Jeremy Pattnosh
    • Robert Manganaro Morris(additional story work)
  • Stars
    • Jeremy Pattnosh
    • Madonna
    • Charles Kurtz
Top credits
  • Director
    • Stephen Jon Lewicki
  • Writers
    • Stephen Jon Lewicki
    • Jeremy Pattnosh
    • Robert Manganaro Morris(additional story work)
  • Stars
    • Jeremy Pattnosh
    • Madonna
    • Charles Kurtz
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 20User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos10

    Madonna in A Certain Sacrifice (1979)
    Madonna in A Certain Sacrifice (1979)
    Madonna in A Certain Sacrifice (1979)
    Madonna in A Certain Sacrifice (1979)
    A Certain Sacrifice (1979)
    A Certain Sacrifice (1979)
    Madonna in A Certain Sacrifice (1979)
    Madonna in A Certain Sacrifice (1979)
    Madonna in A Certain Sacrifice (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jeremy Pattnosh
    • Dashielas Dashiel
    Madonna
    Madonna
    • Brunaas Bruna
    Charles Kurtz
    • Raymond Hallas Raymond Hall
    Kate Magill
    • Susan Porteras Susan Porter
    Timmy Leight
    • The Landladyas The Landlady
    Michael Dane
    Michael Dane
    • Transvestite Slaveas Transvestite Slave
    Russell O. Lome
    • Male Slaveas Male Slave
    Angi Smit
    • Female Slaveas Female Slave
    Joseph Pattnosh
    • Fatheras Father
    Ann Pattnosh
    • Motheras Mother
    John Joseph Pattnosh
    • Young Davidas Young David
    Chuck Varesko
    Chuck Varesko
    • Narratoras Narrator
    Karl Ludwig Selig
    • Professor Mannas Professor Mann
    Ed Krakaur
    • Learning Center Friendas Learning Center Friend
    Charles Daguerre Alvaré
    • Preston Bassetas Preston Basset
    • (as Charles Daguerre Alvare)
    Daniel Merrit Lundquist
    • Basset's Friendas Basset's Friend
    Brian D. Coleman
    • Snob with Glassesas Snob with Glasses
    Peg Kronnenberger
    • What a Jerk Girlas What a Jerk Girl
    • Director
      • Stephen Jon Lewicki
    • Writers
      • Stephen Jon Lewicki
      • Jeremy Pattnosh
      • Robert Manganaro Morris(additional story work)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A street-wise teen gets herself in a series of circumstances and mishaps in her meaningless existence.
    • rape
    • revenge
    • rape and revenge
    • gang rape
    • super 8mm
    • 16 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Music
    • Certificate
      • Unrated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was shot as a student film. Madonna was unknown at the time, but demanded to be paid for her work. The director required her to sign a release and paid her $100. Later, when Madonna became successful, she tried to ban the movie. The director refused, citing the release she signed.
    • Quotes

      Bruna: Everyone brags about making changes in their lives. But I know too well. That you realize that you want to do something, and to actually get there.. it's 2 different things. You can make the effort, you can have the desire but it's not enough. You need something more.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening disclaimer: A Certain Sacrifice is a rare piece of music history. Originally shot on Super 8mm in 1979, this film exhibits a raw and intimate experimental film style. Due to the limitations of the original medium, some technical inconsistencies may be apparent.
    • Connections
      Featured in Madonna: Exposed (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Screaming Demon Lover
      (1984)

      Words, Music, Performance by Jeremy Pattnosh

      Produced & Engineered by Rod Kohn

    User reviews20

    Review
    Top review
    Hated? Yes, but so sadly!
    What can one say to defend a movie like "A Certain Sacrifice"? Even I, as much as I LOVED (yes, LOVED) this movie, must ask myself. As you may know from other reviews and such, Madonna has a very early role as a deathrocker who gets together with a very angry "philosopher" who left the suburbs for New York's underbelly. (I related to this on a lot of levels, so I know it's possible to say that there are some fascinating characters, events, and ideas in this ugly, little film!) Then, there's that "Raymond Hall" guy, who is quite the successful attempt at the creation of a character who is so repulsive, you just wanna get sick every time he's on screen (until he's about to be killed, then it's funny)! Anyway, Raymond is a horny, dirty IL' dude, who ends up raping Madonna in the bathroom, while loving boyfriend Dashiel (the philosopher... heh heh) waits for her to fix her make-up. The gory revenge that ensues (with the help of Madonna's Gothic sex cult, or her "family of lovers") gets cheezier and cheezier, but, thankfully, the filmmakers are well aware (they just don't give a f*ck). So... is the sound bad? YES! Is the dialogue sometimes hurtfully cheezy? YES! Is the acting terrible? Not nearly all of it. In fact, most of it was pretty damn good, even though Madonna's better acting moments were when she started to come off as a Goth castaway from a John Waters movie toward the end. (And, yes, I know John Waters doesn't have a lot of Goths in his movies, but it's the best comparison I can think of!) Anyway, is the gore very minimal and fake-looking? YES, but still it's a lovely touch! Is Madonna shown fully nude? NO, but she's shown topless several times, once even covered in the blood of her slaughtered rapist. Also: This movie MUST be seen when you're VERY intoxicated. Then it can sink right in. I've done it three times, I think I turned out alright, but my wife's head needs to stop calling me from the 'fridge. Time to listen to some more Pattnosh.... mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! FIVE STARS (and I HATE to rate things with stars!)
    helpful•10
    3
    • one4now4
    • May 9, 2005

    FAQ1

    • Why did Madonna not want the film released?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Un cierto sacrificio
    • Filming locations
      • Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Cine Cine Productions Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

    Related news

    Is Madonna's acting really that bad? A career retrospective lets you be the judge
    Aug 21The Guardian - Film News
    What Would You Want From An Early ’80s Madonna Auction?
    Jan 22The Backlot

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