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The Church

Original title: La chiesa
  • 19891989
  • RR
  • 1h 42min
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
7.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
La chiesa (1989)
Horror

An old Gothic cathedral built over a mass grave develops strange powers that trap a number of people inside with ghosts from a 12th Century massacre seeking to resurrect an ancient demon fro... Read allAn old Gothic cathedral built over a mass grave develops strange powers that 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.An old Gothic cathedral built over a mass grave develops strange powers that 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.

IMDb RATING
6.2/10
7.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michele Soavi
  • Writers
    • Dario Argento(story)
    • Franco Ferrini(story)
    • Michele Soavi(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Hugh Quarshie
    • Tomas Arana
    • Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michele Soavi
  • Writers
    • Dario Argento(story)
    • Franco Ferrini(story)
    • Michele Soavi(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Hugh Quarshie
    • Tomas Arana
    • Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 98User reviews
    • 93Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Church aka La Chiesa
    Trailer 1:09
    The Church aka La Chiesa

    Photos84

    La chiesa (1989)
    La chiesa (1989)
    La chiesa (1989)
    La chiesa (1989)
    Antonella Vitale in La chiesa (1989)
    Patrizia Punzo in La chiesa (1989)
    Lars Jorgenson in La chiesa (1989)
    Roberto Caruso in La chiesa (1989)
    Claire Hardwick in La chiesa (1989)
    John Karlsen and Katherine Bell Marjorie in La chiesa (1989)
    La chiesa (1989)
    Riccardo Minervini and Patrizia Punzo in La chiesa (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Hugh Quarshie
    Hugh Quarshie
    • Father Gusas Father Gus
    Tomas Arana
    Tomas Arana
    • Evanas Evan
    Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
    Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
    • The Bishopas The Bishop
    Barbara Cupisti
    Barbara Cupisti
    • Lisaas Lisa
    Antonella Vitale
    Antonella Vitale
    • Bridal Modelas Bridal Model
    Giovanni Lombardo Radice
    Giovanni Lombardo Radice
    • Reverendas Reverend
    Asia Argento
    Asia Argento
    • Lotteas Lotte
    Roberto Caruso
    • Freddieas Freddie
    Roberto Corbiletto
    • Hermann, the Sacristanas Hermann, the Sacristan
    Alina De Simone
    • Lottie's Motheras Lottie's Mother
    Olivia Cupisti
    • Miraas Mira
    Gianfranco De Grassi
    • The Accuseras The Accuser
    Claire Hardwick
    • Joannaas Joanna
    Lars Jorgenson
    • Brunoas Bruno
    John Karlsen
    John Karlsen
    • Heinrichas Heinrich
    Katherine Bell Marjorie
    • Heinrich's Wifeas Heinrich's Wife
    Riccardo Minervini
    • Schoolboyas Schoolboy
    Enrico Osterman
    • The Tortureras The Torturer
    • Director
      • Michele Soavi
    • Writers
      • Dario Argento(story) (screenplay)
      • Franco Ferrini(story) (screenplay)
      • Michele Soavi(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    The Church

    Storyline

    Edit
    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, and many strange events occur, and many people seem to have changed suddenly. Father Gus, the only one not possessed, must save the city from the pandemonium by finding the ancient secret of the church so it can crumble to pieces. —Nebiros <nebiros@informador.com.mx>
    churchdemonknights templarmounted knightwicker mask211 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • You Haven't Got A Prayer.
    • Genre
      • Horror
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally, Soavi and Argento wanted to shoot the movie in the Lorenzkirche of Nuremberg (Germany), and even did some test shots there. However, it was abandoned because the town of Nuremberg didn't want a horror movie to be shot there.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Hermann, the Sacristan: [to Lottie] Filthy liar! Here we'll wash your mouth out with soap, here!

      Lottie's Mother: Don't make me wait for those onions Hermann

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in Dario Argento: Master of Horror (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Floe
      Written by Philip Glass

      Performed by Martin Goldray

    User reviews98

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Visually impressive, but ...
    This work o Michele Soavi looks like stilistic exercise - plot is pretty weak but camera work is simply AMAZING! Movie contains one of the best steadycam and crane shots I've ever seen! But poor story definitely does not improve entire impression...

    Anyway, mood, atmosphere and stunning camera work are really remarkable and worth seeing and that keeps movie from falling down.

    Still, Dellamorte Dellamore is the best Soavi's movie I've seen although camera work here is much better.

    7/10
    helpful•11
    5
    • arminio
    • Jun 7, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 10, 1989 (Italy)
    • Country of origin
      • Italy
    • Languages
      • Italian
      • Hungarian
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • 教堂幽靈
    • Filming locations
      • Hamburg, Germany
    • Production companies
      • ADC Films
      • Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica
      • Reteitalia
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 42min
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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