A Prayer for the Dying (1987)

Martin, an I.R.A. hitman, is seen by a Catholic priest while carrying out a hit. He grows a bond with the priest and his niece. But his past and his former employers put all their lives in danger.

Director:

Mike Hodges

Writers:

Jack Higgins (novel), Edmund Ward (screenplay)

Stars:

Mickey Rourke, Bob Hoskins, Alan Bates

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mickey Rourke	...	Martin Fallon
Bob Hoskins	...	Father Michael Da Costa
Alan Bates	...	Jack Meehan
Sammi Davis	...	Anna
Christopher Fulford	...	Billy Meehan
Liam Neeson	...	Liam Docherty
Leonard Termo	...	Bonati
Camille Coduri	...	Jenny Fox
Maurice O'Connell	...	Superintendant Miller
Alison Doody	...	Siobhan Donovan
Karl Johnson	...	Fitzgerald
Ian Bartholomew	...	Kristou
Peggy Aitchison	...	Mrs. Orton
Cliff Burnett	...	Fred Varley
Anthony Head	...	Rupert

Storyline

Martin Fallon is an I.R.A. bomber who tries to blow up a troop truck, but instead kills a bus load of school children. He loses heart and quits the movement and goes to London trying to leave the U.K. and start a new life. The I.R.A. wants him back (he knows too much) and the local crime boss, Meehan, will only help him if he performs one last hit, on a rival crime boss. When Fallon does perform the hit, he is seen by a Catholic priest. He refuses to kill an innocent again, and must find a way to escape the police without killing the priest who can identify him.

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Plot Keywords:

time bomb | organist | scene of the crime | bare chested male | male nudity | 

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Taglines:

The movement wants his heart. The mob wants his mind. Martin Fallon wants his freedom.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

"I.R.A." stands for "Irish Republican Army". (Duh!)

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Quotes

Jack Meehan: I don't think you quite know who I am.

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Crazy Credits

The end credits begin to roll up from behind the amusement park rides on the horizon.

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Alternate Versions

There's an unknown director's cut for which Mike Hodges originally had John Scott to compose the music. However the producers decided that they didn't like it and hired Bill Conti to redo the music. Also, after watching Hodges' cut, Samuel Goldwyn recut the film for American audience who wanted an action movie. Both Hodges and Mickey Rourke publically disowned the theatrical cut.

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Connections

Referenced in The Boondock Saints (1999)

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Soundtracks

Panis Angelicus
(uncredited)
Music by César Franck

User Reviews

Rourke's linguistic opus

Mickey Rourke is a much deeper and more dedicated actor than he gets credit for. His accent in " A Prayer.." is spot on and that is quite an accomplishment that takes months of dedication. He takes his place up in the front row with Gary Oldman, Pete Postlewaithe (sp.?) and I even have to include Brad Pitt after his amazing performance in Snatch. Rourke's Bad Boy image makes the moral dilemma he creates for himself or finds himself in even more effective. Brilliant scene when Hoskins becomes increasingly irate and at the peak of his fury we see him from Rourke's POV and his dark outline eclipses the first few letters of a "Courage" beer sign and only the flashing red neon letters RAGE remain.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 September 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Prayer for the Dying

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$881,793, 13 September 1987

Gross USA:

$1,432,687

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,432,687

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Samuel Goldwyn Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1