Customer Reviews

Prophecy [VHS]

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I first saw Prophecy as a 10 year old in 1979 and it scared the ** out of me and caused nightmares for a few months. Looking back after seeing it again today, the shambling mutant bear doesn't pack quite the same punch effects wise; but this is still a decent horror flick. The Mambo King plays an Indian and Adrian is the weak pregnant wife along for the ride as a inner-city class conscious doctor attempts to study the environment in Maine and gets wrapped up in a tribal dispute with the local paper mill who has been logging near the village and yes, dumping mercury into the water supply for the last 20 years. This of course has an adverse affect on the flora and fauna, not the least of which is the 12 foot bear that is now chomping down on would be hikers. The exploding sleeping bag w/ feathers floating down is still an image that stays with you, as is the bear slowly sinking across the foggy water trudging towards its victims. The woodland setting is beautiful and Dysart makes a nice company man villain. A nice afternoon time killer.

1979's "Prophecy" (not to be confused with the "The Prophecy" series that started in the mid-90s) is an 'envirornmental destruction'-based horror movie that does a fine job of being both an 'issues film' and a great horror stories. It's set against the backdrop of deep forest territory where a logging company and the land's traditional Native American inhabitants are at odds over who really owns the land, and where tensions are fast mounting towards violence. A husband-and-wife team sent in to do an envirornmental assesment - more as an effort on the part of the authorities to stall and give things a chance to cool down than because they want any more studies - serve as the main point-of-view characters. Severely heightening the stress are a couple of unsolved disappearances in the woods over the last couple of months, which the company is openly accusing the natives of being responsible for.

It's readily apparent that something more than a couple of renegade protesters is behind the disappearances, but "Prophecy" doesn't rush right into it, letting its story and characters play out in other directions for a while before bringing in the more frightful elements when the time is right. Some would probably say the portrayal of the tribe is stereotypical; I really don't think it was. If it moves a tad in the direction of generalizations once or twice, it can be overlooked because its intentions are clearly in the right place. It's a sincere depiction of a group being squeezed more and more out of the picture due to economic considerations, and it paints a sympathetic and well played-out picture of the group without going so far as to have every member of the band both a saint and a super-shaman (although there is a lot of traditional folklore and some touches of mystism that I thought worked very well). As a whole, the movie is slanted more towards the native band than big industry - its 'issues' angle is one with a definate point of view and makes no apologies about it, and I think it did a great job.

The monstrous angles come in with great force and a sense of sympathy toward the movie's 'antagonists'. The creature effects are impressive and generally realistic; there are a couple of brief instances where you can 'see the wires', so to speak, but they're over quickly enough that it wasn't a big detraction for me. One thing worth remembering is that this was filmed in the 70s when special effects technology wasn't nearly as developed as it is today, and what was there was very expensive and thus often inaccessible to horror movies of the day because, while they were making a lot of money, studios were often reluctant to put much of it back in (a problem that's re-occured a few times over horror movies's history); as a result a couple of glitches occasionally snuck through. Overall, "Prophecy" was very well made - the visuals were great 95% of the time, good acting, very effective cinematography, solid drama, explosive action, genuinely frightening. Highly recommended.

I saw this several times when it came out in the theater and I recently bought it on DVD. I don't understand how monster movie fans could not like this film. The monster looks pretty cool, even though it is shown too much towards the end. And how can people have reviewed it and complained that it spared too many characters? I can think of several who come to particularly nasty endings! This has always been one of my favorite movies and I think people who claim it is heavy-handed and tries to sell a "message" are over-reacting and trying to display a dismaying "i'm too hip to do anything but mock the 70's" attitude towards the supposedly far-fetched basis for the monstrosities at loose in the woods; on the contrary I always thought PROPHECY posited a rather plausible explanation for the deformities seen in the monsters. I have seen photos of the same kind of genetic damage from Minamata, Japan, caused by the same kind of industrial pollution. And I grew up in the Pacific Northwest in a definite logging industry environment and that has always made this movie resonate with me. So count me as one of the defiant few who not only sees nothing wrong with this movie--across the board--the acting is all first rate--especially Robert Foxworth, who gives a truly committed performance--but thinks it is a classic! To me, this is the ultimate monster movie from the 1970's.

I've been watching this horror film epic a lot more lately, and I have accordingly removed it from the 'bad crap' list onto the 'good crap' list, because it has begun to grow on me. Prophecy has the virtue of presenting the fakest monster I have ever seen: Horribly transformed by a mutagenic agent derived from mercury-exposure, a bear has become a thundering and bloodthirsty 25 foot-tall monster!

At the beginning of the movie, a sanctimonious EPA investigator is recruited and dispatched to a local forest region to help calm a skirmish between the Indian populace and a draconian lumber mill outfit. Almost immediately, the EPA guy, Dr. Robert Verne, and Verne's wife Maggie (worried because she's pregnant and is afraid to tell her husband) are exposed to the reckless tactics of the Indians firsthand; one such tactic involves stringing a chain across the only road to the lumber mill. A much more effective tactic, in the long term, is the gigantic mercury-spawned bear, a violent and horrifying entity whom the locals have named Kataden. Kataden has recently set about the task of stalking the lumber mill workers and tearing them apart; early on an entire scout party is ambushed and massacred in the blackness of night. It should be noted, meanwhile, that Kataden, despite being a cardboard-stiff gigantic latex rubber bear puppet, despite the fact that she seemingly always walks erect, is 80% faster than even the most desperate human victim and can evidently cover eighty miles in less than twenty minutes.

Dr. Verne and Maggie, along with representatives of both the the lumber mill and the Indian Tribe, are stranded miles deep in the woods and left completely vulnerable to Kataden's predatory wiles. Eventually the small desperate remnant of the group reaches a lakeshore with the intention of reaching the cabin on the lake's far side. The idea, I guess, is that Kataden can't swim?

The group begins cutting across the black, mist-topped lake. Kataden hovers momentarily at the lakeshore and then matter-of-factly wades in; in the process of advancing towards the lake's center the giant bear submerges for maybe 32 seconds. Dr. Verne, automatically assuming that Kataden must have drowned, begins howling and cheering---"Whooooh, yeah, baby, whoooh, yeah. Choke on that, baby!!!"---although even the other cast members are staring at him like he's an idiot. Five seconds later Kataden simply reemerges with her original course completely intact. Verne and the others run inside the cabin and begin fortifying it against the now-furious Kataden. With the single swipe of a mighty paw, Kataden removes the cabin's entire roof. Now it's killing time, and it's screaming time for the few humans left in Kataden's bestial thrall. However, the spirited and blood-crazed Verne manages to kill Kataden by stabbing her with an arrowhead about two or three times. Man, that was a close one!

It is my theory that Kataden was actually listed as "Plan 10" in the conquest notebook of the same Ed Wood-spawned aliens portrayed in the science fiction epic Plan 9 From Outer Space. Plan 10, however, seems to have been as much of a failure as Plan 9. Either way, don't worry, because just before the movie's closing credits---when Verne and his wife (Maggie now ostensibly carrying a mutagenically-tainted child in her womb) are being evacuated via emergency helicopter---another slavering snapperhead monster, at ground level, lurches into frame. I'm holding out for the sequel, oh yeah, baby, oh yeah.

It's Gentle Ben as imagined by Clive Barker in this cautionary tale about what can happen when pollutants get into the forest animals' water supply. One big bear, in particular, is very angry about the whole thing and tries to eat Armand Assante, Talia Shire, and Robert Foxworth in one bite. A notable scene includes a vicious attack by some cute little raccoons.

Cheesy fun that drags a little too much, but is saved by a bang-up finale.

Staci Layne Wilson

A medical doctor is sent into the Maine woods to do a scientist's job. Study the environmental impact the local paper mill is having on the land and people. His findings will help settle a violent dispute between the lumberjacks and local native americans regarding ownership of the land. What he uncovers is a monster that chews up more scenery than he does. Director John (The Manchurian Candidate) Frankenheimer crashed and burned with this eco-horror film scripted by David (The Omen) Seltzer. The story is standard b-movie stuff, but the pacing is way too slow and the monsters are not the least bit frightening. Their attacks will cause screams of laughter, not of terror. The only good thing here is that the movie is restored to its widescreen image, which only shows just how poorly Frankenheimer staged the attacks and suspense sequences. Prophecy used to be one of my favorite guilty pleasures and I really wish I could give it a higher rating, but this movie is only for the most devout of monster movie fans.

A giant rubber bear with a melted face chases people around in the woods and hilarity ensues. The sleeping bag scene will make you laugh out loud. My favorite part of the movie occurs when the characters consult with "Grandfather," a sage and wise old Indian shaman who resembles "Ernie Douglas" from the TV show "My Three Sons." The fact that "Ernie" keeps staring and grinning at the camera makes it that much more funny. When the characters are chased into a cabin, they begin sealing up doors and windows with a multitude of hammers and nails that seemingly appear out of thin air. And when things get really dicey, they flee into an extensive underground tunnel system located conveniently under the floorboards. Hey, it could happen!

Amazing to believe that this mess was directed by John Frankenheimer.

Enjoy!

I first saw this movie as a child and it scared the living crap outta me. As I grew up and watched many horror movies along the way, this movie always stuck in my head. The way they shot the monster and its movements, especially in the night scenes were just horrifying. I thought this movie was out of print and so I haven't seen the movie since I was a child. I recently bought it on amazon. Even though I'm a 34 yr old man, I still found my self scared and tense the entire movie. I consider this one of my favorite all time movies. I you're not sure about buying it, then find a place to rent it...I guarantee you'll buy it soon after.

Yes i do. Can anybody really name a good monster movie in the last 10 years, aside from king kong or maybe something from the Aliens series that is beeter than this late 1970's man in a monster bear suit flick? I doubt it..unless your a superficial, shallow, has no film history education type video game absorbed fool..ah, there are so many of you nowadys..HaHaHa.

I saw this when i was 10, and recently dug in my collection to watch it today. Basically a giant mutated bear terrorizes allot folks in the maine wilderness...no not corny at all...man, this was what "Monster Movies" used to be all about.

Very, very good acting...a young Armand assante, Talia shire and Richard A. Dysart....plus robert foxworth who always kind of annoyed me, but a good actor as well. So I ask you so called "film experts"..with all of these new computer graphics..and effects..name me a good monster flick, with some really good acting...(okay if you say King Kong, then i'll give you that)... that is better than "Prophecy". Nothing beats good old fashioned FX...make-up...and actors in giant bear costumes..believe me.

Prophecy had some beautiful cinematography..some wide camera shots..of the wilderness and some believable set pieces. The suspense was very good, there were plenty of scenes where the actors fleeing from this beast instilled some intense emotions...and their individual performances...were excellent for a monster flick.

No i wouldnt say cheesy...no i couldnt say that, it wouldnt be fair at all. The story line might have been typical, you know the whole environmental pollution theme..but it worked well. And the conflict between the Native Americans and the loggers was well done too...with the help of some good acting from Armand Assante.
The make up was very good...yeah i said it, give me some serious monster make-up FX over some fake looking CGI effects anyday..There was some minimal gore..but the presence and wrath of the mutated bear whacking the hell out of people made you say "Oh S!*t..." without having to see so much blood and guts.

Just the feel of this flick was enjoyable! It was scary..and fun...it was one of those movies i remember, and still would ..talk about it for hours with my friends afterwards.

I dont know what happened to monster flicks. Does anybody who makes them..try to understand what it takes to make a good one anymore? It's not fun watching a bunch of blond haired chicks and hollwood "Ken doll" types try to act in a monster movie. Why not get a good script..throw some good veteran actors in the mix..and create some suspense..use some real make up effects..and you might have something. Still not following me?..dig this..find "Prophecy" and watch it once or twice...because this a formula for a monster movie that works!

"Prophecy" was released at the same general time as the popular "Alien" back in 1979. "Alien" was a fair hit at the box office (with a far better monster) while "Prophecy" didn't do very well, causing director John Frankenheimer to plummet into a depression.

I first saw the film as a kid because I was intrigued by the 15-foot grotesque monster. As it turned out, I thought the film was merely okay. I decided to see the picture again in the mid-90s and, I don't know if it was nostalgia, but I thoroughly enjoyed "Prophecy" as an adult. I've seen it a few times since then and enjoyed it every time. As far as comparing it to "Alien," I fully admit that "Alien" is technically a much better film and way more innovative & influential, but through the years I've seen "Prophecy" about twice as often as "Alien." This proves, if nothing else, that "Prophecy" has re-watchable merit.

THE STORY: There are problems in Maine (although the film was actually filmed in the Great Northwest) between the paper mill and the local Indians. The Natives argue that they are somehow being contaminated by the industry. Robert Foxworth and his pregnant mate Talia Shire fly up to investigate and discover that mercury poisoning from the mill is the problem. They witness a handful of looney, overgrown or hideously mutated animals that verify their findings, most notably a mutated grizzly bear that looks like it's been turned inside out (speaking of which, I didn't realize they had grizzly bears in Maine; although I suppose it could be a mutated overgrown black bear).

The tone of the story is completely serious so don't expect any camp like in the similar "Lake Placid." Robert Foxworth is excellent as the protagonist; I'm surprised he didn't have a more stellar career. Talia Shire ("Rocky"), the sister of Francis Ford Coppola, is meek and likable. Armand Assante ("Odyssey") is robust and determined as the Native protagonist and Victoria Racimo is fabulous as his wife (squaw?).

There are quite a few memorable scenes, like when the Natives block a forest road culminating in an intense stand-off with the paper mill personnel, chain saw and all. Another potent sequence is when Foxworth investigates the paper mill and has an intense discussion/argument with the mill boss. The manager powerfully points out that the mill simply provides what the consumers demand and that Foxworth's actual report is going to use up thousands of sheets of paper; hence, he shares responsibility.

BOTTOM LINE: For the first hour and 15 minutes or so "Prophecy" expertly unveils the mystery while capturing the viewers attention with mounting interest. It's the last 25 minutes where the film partially stumbles. The mutated creature is fully revealed and chases the group through the forests. There's a lot of running & screaming and many die. This should be a powerful pay-off but for some reason it's not. It's merely okay, and almost boring. Still, there are some memorable visuals, like the moonlit chase through the fog-laden lake.

"Prophecy" may not be great like "Jaws" or "Alien," but it's quite a bit better than flicks like "Grizzly."