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The Church

Original title: La chiesa
  • 19891989
  • RR
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
8.2K
YOUR RATING
The Church (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
8.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michele Soavi
  • Writers
    • Dario Argento(story)
    • Franco Ferrini(story)
    • Michele Soavi(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Hugh Quarshie
    • Tomas Arana
    • Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
  • 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
    • 106User reviews
    • 91Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

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

    Photos96

    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)
    The Church (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Hugh Quarshie
    Hugh Quarshie
    • Father Gus
    Tomas Arana
    Tomas Arana
    • Evan
    Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
    Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
    • The Bishop
    • (as Feodor Chaliapin)
    Barbara Cupisti
    • Lisa
    Antonella Vitale
    • Bridal Model
    Giovanni Lombardo Radice
    Giovanni Lombardo Radice
    • Reverend
    Asia Argento
    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
    John Karlsen
    • Heinrich
    Katherine Bell Marjorie
    • Heinrich's Wife
    Riccardo Minervini
    • Schoolboy
    Enrico Osterman
    • The Torturer
    • Director
      • Michele Soavi
    • Writers
      • Dario Argento(story) (screenplay)
      • Franco Ferrini(story) (screenplay)
      • Michele Soavi(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Dario Argento's World of Horror
    6.4
    Dario Argento's World of Horror

    Storyline

    Edit

    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 reviews106

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Richly directed, poorly acted
    As far as writer Dario Argento's films go, "The Church," directed by Michele Soavi, is squarely in the middle.

    The plot involves a Gothic cathedral built on the mass graves of medieval villagers massacred after being accused of devil worship. As you might expect, the dead don't stay buried forever, and they come back to wreak vengeance on the living.

    The visuals are remarkable. The scenes of modern-day worshipers battling the risen demons are well directed, and the makeup and gore are remarkable — though certainly not for the squeamish.

    Unfortunately, bad dialogue and worse acting weigh heavily on the film, and are likely to generate some unintentional laughs.

    Still, "The Church" is worthwhile for Soavi's stunning direction, as well as a propulsive synth score by Keith Emerson. Fans of Gothic horror should consider "The Church" a reluctant obligation.
    helpful•6
    1
    • WarpedRecord
    • Oct 15, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 10, 1989 (Italy)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • Hungary
    • Languages
      • Italian
      • Hungarian
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • 教堂幽靈
    • Filming locations
      • Hamburg, Germany(exteriors only)
    • 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
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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