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IMDbPro

Communion

  • 19891989
  • RR
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
Communion (1989)
Home Video Extra (Clip) from New Line Cinema
Play trailer1:49
1 Video
54 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Horror
Oct.4 and Dec.26 the Strieber family drives from NYC to their cabin in the woods. Both nights there are some powerful lights outside and maybe aliens. The dad is mentally affected by the "ba... Read allOct.4 and Dec.26 the Strieber family drives from NYC to their cabin in the woods. Both nights there are some powerful lights outside and maybe aliens. The dad is mentally affected by the "bad dream", goes to the shrink and is hypnotized.Oct.4 and Dec.26 the Strieber family drives from NYC to their cabin in the woods. Both nights there are some powerful lights outside and maybe aliens. The dad is mentally affected by the "bad dream", goes to the shrink and is hypnotized.
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Philippe Mora
  • Writer
    • Whitley Strieber(book)
  • Stars
    • Christopher Walken
    • Lindsay Crouse
    • Frances Sternhagen
Top credits
  • Director
    • Philippe Mora
  • Writer
    • Whitley Strieber(book)
  • Stars
    • Christopher Walken
    • Lindsay Crouse
    • Frances Sternhagen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 66User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Communion
    Trailer 1:49
    Communion

    Photos54

    Communion (1989)
    Communion (1989)
    Communion (1989)
    Communion (1989)
    Communion (1989)
    Communion (1989)
    Communion (1989)
    Christopher Walken in Communion (1989)
    Christopher Walken in Communion (1989)
    Christopher Walken in Communion (1989)
    Christopher Walken in Communion (1989)
    Christopher Walken in Communion (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Christopher Walken
    Christopher Walken
    • Whitley Strieberas Whitley Strieber
    Lindsay Crouse
    Lindsay Crouse
    • Anne Strieberas Anne Strieber
    Frances Sternhagen
    Frances Sternhagen
    • Dr. Janet Duffyas Dr. Janet Duffy
    Andreas Katsulas
    Andreas Katsulas
    • Alexas Alex
    Terri Hanauer
    Terri Hanauer
    • Sarahas Sarah
    Joel Carlson
    Joel Carlson
    • Andrew Strieberas Andrew Strieber
    John Dennis Johnston
    John Dennis Johnston
    • Firemanas Fireman
    DeeDee Rescher
    DeeDee Rescher
    • Mrs. Greenbergas Mrs. Greenberg
    • (as Dee Dee Rescher)
    Aileen Fitzpatrick
    • Motheras Mother
    R.J. Miller
    • Fatheras Father
    Holly Fields
    Holly Fields
    • Praying Mantis Girlas Praying Mantis Girl
    Paula Shaw
    Paula Shaw
    • Woman from Apartmentas Woman from Apartment
    Juliet Sorci
    Juliet Sorci
    • Second Grade Girlas Second Grade Girl
    • (as Juliet Sorcey)
    Tifni Twitchell
    • Teacheras Teacher
    Joshua John Miller
    Joshua John Miller
    • Tall Boyas Tall Boy
    Kate Stern
    • Woman on Busas Woman on Bus
    Johnny Dark
    • Lab Technicianas Lab Technician
    Jonathan Fromdahl
    • Whitley (5 years)as Whitley (5 years)
    • Director
      • Philippe Mora
    • Writer
      • Whitley Strieber(book) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While serving as executive producer, author Whitley Strieber, whose experiences serve as the basis of the film, expressed concerns about Christopher Walken's abilities in portraying him. When Strieber finally told Walken that he might be portraying him as a little too crazy, Walken replied, "If the shoe fits."
    • Goofs
      When Whitley leaves his vehicle in the 'final' visit to the cabin, the camera cuts to the entire cabin drenched in light. As he starts approaching it you can clearly see the source of light as a spotlight at the top right of the screen.
    • Quotes

      Whitley Strieber: [Doppleganger scene] I am you. And you are me. And we are here. I am the dreamer and you are the dream.

    • Alternate versions
      An alternate version of Communion (1989) is shown on FOX network television (USA). The alternate version has extra or extended scenes (compared to the theatrical/cable/video version) as follows:
      • When Whitley (Christopher Walken) visits Dr. Freidman (Basil Hoffman), he describes the visitors while watching a salamander frolic in the physician's aquarium.
      • When Whitley's Russian friend Alex (Andreas Katsulas) finds Whitley in the diner, he tells Whitley that as a child in his native country he heard stories of small beings who lived in the mines, called Kobolds. He tells Whitley he believes these stories are true;
      • On the "ship," Whitley dances with the Little Blue Doctors after they exchange greetings (immediately before the "magic show");
      • Upon the roof of their apartment building, the stars in the sky do NOT momentarily appear to resemble the face of a visitor, as they do in the theatrical/cabletv/video version;
      • The end credits roll over a night time aerial shot of the Strieber family standing on the shore with New York City behind them.
    • Connections
      Edited into Encounters of the Fourth Kind (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ
      Written by Irving Berlin

      (c) Irving Berlin Music Corporation

    User reviews66

    Review
    Top review
    An objective review...I hope.
    In "Communion," Whitley Strieber's autobiographical book comes to life...sort of. Viewing this movie is a strange experience, and certainly not for all tastes. It is a very cerebral piece of work from a director who did not wholeheartedly agree with Strieber's interpretation of the events surrounding his so-called abduction. Phillipe Mora makes an effort to give the film an air of surrealism, right down to even having the blatant symbolism of DeChirico paintings on the walls of Strieber's home (whether or not Strieber actually had such paintings is beside the point). The director tries to give the impression that Strieber is suffering a breakdown while simultaneously trying to present the events without too much distortion. Tough task...it's easy to see why the film seems diluted and without chemistry.

    However, this also provides the film with an atmosphere that can also help enhance the whole point, which is not "was Whitley Strieber abducted by aliens," but rather "how did Whitley's interpretation of an inexplicable event effect him and those around him?" One of the last scenes, an exchange between Strieber and his wife in a museum, conveys this point perfectly. "It's just God, masks of God." It can be equated with a religious experience, feeling the touch of God. Strieber FELT the touch of an outside presence. Does that mean he was visited by aliens? This is irrelevant, and I firmly believe that this is what the point of the film should be. And let's face it, the film is called "Communion," which means "to be at one with God."

    The mechanics of the film are rather well constructed. Christopher Walken is in fine form as Strieber, giving a wonderful portrayal of a writer on the edge (of a discovery or his sanity?). Lindsay Crouse does a good job as Strieber's wife. The acting is slightly flat in some areas, but this might've been another device of Mora's to add to the surrealism. Constant uses of the New York skyline add a sense of foreboding to the film, not just because of the beauty of these scenes, but because it helps give the impression of an outside presence. The music (with Eric Clapton on guitar) is pretty good, typical of the synthesizer-based scores of most '80's movies, but it adds well to the setting. And even though the special effects may seem laughable, Mora has made the case (perhaps pretentiously) that this was also deliberate. The FOX TV version (which seems to be the version being shown on Showtime Digital Cable) adds several sequences, and increases the light contrast in certain scenes, adding a glowing white haze to many scenes. Some have complained about the scene in the psychiatrist's office being so bright, but I think it also helps get the message that there may be an outside presence surrounding all of us, whether we recognize it or not.

    "Communion" is an interesting movie that suffered from a view that was perhaps too short-sighted. If the film were made today, one can be sure the message might have been lost on overbloated special effects, and the surreal effect would've been diminished to appeal to the lowest common denominator of movie-going audiences. No matter what your stance on alien abduction, this is a very thought-provoking film. Give it a chance...watch it.
    helpful•57
    5
    • yucel81x
    • Dec 2, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 10, 1989 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • -'Communion' Soundtrack from Eric Clapton
      • -excerpt from the movie
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Контакт
    • Filming locations
      • Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Allied Vision
      • Pheasantry Films
      • The Picture Property Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,919,653
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $822,123
      • Nov 12, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,919,653
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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