The Church (1989)

An old Gothic cathedral, built over a mass grave, develops strange powers which trap a number of people inside with ghosts from a 12th Century massacre seeking to resurrect an ancient demon from the bowels of the Earth.

Director:

Michele Soavi

Writers:

Dario Argento (story), Franco Ferrini (story)

Stars:

Hugh Quarshie, Tomas Arana, Feodor Chaliapin Jr.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Quarshie	...	Father Gus
Tomas Arana	...	Evan
Feodor Chaliapin Jr.	...	The Bishop (as Feodor Chaliapin)
Barbara Cupisti	...	Lisa
Antonella Vitale	...	Bridal Model
Giovanni Lombardo Radice	...	Reverend
Asia Argento	...	Lotte
Roberto Caruso	...	Freddie
Roberto Corbiletto	...	Hermann, the Sacristan
Alina De Simone	...	Lottie's Mother
Olivia Cupisti	...	Mira
Gianfranco De Grassi	...	The Accuser
Claire Hardwick	...	Joanna
Lars Jorgenson	...	Bruno
John Karlsen	...	Heinrich

Storyline

A church is built during medieval times on top of a pile of dead bodies that were considered possessed. Hundreds of years later a young librarian unleashes the evil within, by removing a rock in the catacombs. Series of events occur meanwhile, everybody just does not seem to be the same. Father Gus is the only one not possessed, he must save the city from becoming a pandemonium, he must find the ancient secret of the church so it can crumble to pieces.

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Plot Keywords:

demon | knights templar | looking at oneself in a mirror | church | secret | 

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Taglines:

In this unholy sanctuary you haven't got a prayer ...

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian Hungarian Latin

Release Date:

10 March 1989 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Church

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

ADC Films,Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica,Reteitalia

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min 98 min (R-rated)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's title for its Spain release was El Engendro del diablo, which means "The Spawn of the Devil."

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Goofs

When Father Gus, as a recreational archer, is using a bow to shoot at a target, he is not wearing a wrist guard. This is a painful mistake even a beginner would only make once.

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Quotes

Father Gus: [after a huge fish like demon is attacking the male model] MY GOD! What's going on here?

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Alternate Versions

All videos for The Church in the USA come in two formats: R Rated or Unrated/Uncut. There are mistakes on all boxes and tapes about the running times: All videotapes and boxes say 110 minute running time on the back cover and 102 minute running time on the cassette no matter if its the rated R version or the 110 minute unrated version. It will correctly state on the box & tape that it is rated or uncut/unrated.

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Connections

Version of The Treasure of Abbot Thomas (1974)

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Soundtracks

Go to Hell
(Carola-Rinaldi)--Zooming on the Zooo
Courtesy of Bixio C.e.m.s.a. Greetings Music

User Reviews

Very impressive horror film.

"La Chiesa"/"The Church" is a great Gothic horror film made by Michele Soavi with wild usage of camera,very hypnotic Goblin soundtrack and overall creepy atmosphere.The film was written and produced by Dario Argento,so fans of Italian horror won't be disappointed.It starts out with incredible scene of massacre,where a crusading army kills all inhabitants of a small village.There is plenty of violence and the photography is absolutely stunning.Soavi uses the camera tricks only hinted at in his wonderful "Deliria"(1987).There are several amazing camera shots and the lighting is excellent.The film is visually striking and the gore effects are quite good.The sequences involving secret machinery built into the structure of the cathedral are especially well executed.A must-see for fans of Italian horror!