Product Details

• Actors: Mickey Rourke, Bob Hoskins, Alan Bates, Sammi Davis, Christopher Fulford
• Format: NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: M.C.E.G./Virgin Visi
• VHS Release Date: June 7, 1989
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300266907
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,513 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A forgotten and overlooked dramatic gem., January 30, 2004

By 

Lunar Strain "Thrash, don't mind if I do" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Prayer for the Dying (DVD)

I picked up "A Prayer for the Dying" on a whime one day. I have always liked Mickey Rourke and I think he is one of the most underrated actors int he business. I never heard of this film before and bought it and not knowing how good it would be. Upon viewing the film I couldn't help thinking how much better this movie could have been. Mickey Rourke gives an absolutly moving performance as a hit man wanting to give up his evil ways. I know that that has been used as a plot for a hundred movies, but this is easily one of the better of those films. Some people Bob Hoskins as miscast int he role of the Priest, but I found him to also give a good performance. Overall I was very moved by the film. I only wish it went a little more in depth with Bob Hoskins character. It gives hints that he and Mickey Rourke's character are much alike, but doesn't go into real depth. I have also heard that Mickey Rourke was upset with the final result of the film. Though it could have been much better, it still comes off as a very good dramatic piece of cinema. This film is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad but could have been better., September 4, 2002

By 

Archie Mercer "Archie" (Yorba Linda, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Prayer for the Dying [VHS] (VHS Tape)

A Prayer for the Dying was one of my favorite books of all time. So I was a little concerned about watching a movie adaptation of it. I mean, really...how many movies ever stand up well to the book? This one doesn't. However, on it's own it's an entertaining and interesting flick. Overall the plot follows the book well, taking an ex-IRA executioner from fugitive to murderer to hero. What this movie lacks is character development. With the exception of Fallon (Micky Rourke) all the people are shallow and one dimensional. The priest, Father de Costa (play ok by Bob Hoskins) never really seems the force he was in the book. You never know what drives him to try and save Fallon from this life of violence, when in the book it's de Costa's own past that mirrors Fallon. Alan Bates as the villan Meehan never really seems to get into the part. Where Meehan is dark, sinister, and VERY complex in the book here he's just there, with a little violence thrown in.

One of the best sub-plots of this movie, though, wasn't even in the book. Liam Neeson plays an IRA hit man on Fallon's trail. He is also Fallons best friend and the conflict between the two emotions are played up wonderfully, leading to a violent end. It adds a great suspense to the whole thing.

One other exceptional thing about this movie is the score. Bill Conti (of Rocky fame) really captures the mood throughout. Great music!

Overall, I liked this movie. Again, I would have like to see more character development of de Costa and Meehan, but still it's a great plot.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give us DVD version!, April 13, 2001

By 

David Wilson (Gothenburg, Hovas Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prayer for the Dying (Amazon.com Exclusive) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

As usual, Mickey Rourke trying to escape from himself and everybody else, but will he succeed?.. However, I remember it as quite touching film. With IRA assassin, priest and a blind girl, you have helpless GOOD and an ultimate EVIL. I would recommend this film for those who haven't seen it. Me myself, still waiting for DVD version...