Product Details

• Actors: Robert Mitchum, Frank Langella, John Colicos, Victor Buono, Ken Hutchison
• Directors: Ralph Nelson
• Format: NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Warner Archive
• DVD Release Date: September 11, 2012
• Run Time: 111 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0099115AU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,490 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The movie gods are playful in the action-oriented The Wrath of God – frisky, risky, violent, over the top and delivering a cast that includes Robert Mitchum, Frank Langella in an early-career performance and, in her last role, unforgettable Rita Hayworth. “This is the kind of movie we don’t see very often anymore: a simple, dashing tale told for sheer fun,” writes Roger Ebert in his Chicago Sun-Times review. Screen tough-guy Mitchum plays Oliver Van Horne, a U.S. priest on a supposed fund-raising mission in a strife-torn Latin American land. But if he is a priest, you might wonder about the machine-gun nestled in the case he carries. The pistol hidden in a Bible and the crucifix that serves as a lethal switchblade may also come in handy as he comes to the defense of people oppressed by a tyrant. God works in mysterious ways, says the combative man of the cloth. Especially if one of those ways is the enigmatic Van Horne.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars BETTER THAN I REMEMBERED! October 18, 2012

By Richard J. Oravitz

Saw this at the drive-in when it first came out and remembered it as being a somewhat sub-standard Western, kind of a Spaghetti Western/Sam Peckinpah wannabe, and though that may be true, THE WRATH OF GOD does have a few slight merits of it's own.

First is Robert Mitchum's performance as the sleepy-eyed priest who mows 'em down Django-fashion with a hidden machine gun. He scoffs the Lord, swears, drinks whiskey, smokes cigars and kills. Back then, I thought it just a ruse, now, I'm not too sure. Is he taking this "Fatherhood" seriously, or is it all just part of the scam? Certainly one of Mitchum's best roles, though not nearly as great as his other heavenly outing in NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. Still, food for thought.

Secondly, Victor Buono finally gets to play a somewhat good-guy, or at least be on Mitchum's side. He's a likable lout in the George Sanders fashion, a con man who is always looking out for himself, yet leads a courageous attack on the enemy stronghold, driving a battering-ram car while machine-gunning the fodder that stands in his way. He actually has voice-over thoughts to justify his actions.

And thirdly, we get some social comment throughout the film on third-world oppression. Executions are abundant and viewed with disgust. The masses are left with no meaning to life..., that is until Mitchum rebuilds the church and gives strength, support and dignity to the downtrodden, then defends it all with a machine gun.

Strange, weird.

Rita Hayworth is wasted as the mother of Frank Langella, who likes to kill priests.... Also lots of familiar Peckinpah faces here, Aurora Clavel, Jorge Russek and even that old man with the white beard that appeared in THE WILD BUNCH and was mowed down by Gig Young and Robert Webber in BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA is on board.

And nudity...two scenes bare-assed, but not of a woman. Co-star Ken Hutchinson, who gives a pretty good performance in yet another complex role as a lout who re-thinks his situation (this movie is full of 'em) does the nude scenes. No nude women? Like I said...

Strange, weird.

All in all, certainly not as bad as I had remembered it to be, actually quite good and really quite entertaining. And the wide screen dvd from Warner bros. offers a nice transfer, great color & sound. So if you need to fill in that gap between Spaghetti Westerns and American Westerns influenced by Spaghetti Westerns (EL CONDOR, BARQUERO, etc.) then this is certainly a must have for your collection. The perfect example of a movie taken for granted when first released.

Also, Lalo Schifrin's offbeat soundtrack is currently available at the SCREEN ARCHIVES website. Read more ›

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Failed western November 12, 2012

By Dr. James Gardner VINE™ VOICE

"Wrath of God" is a 1972 color western that some people believe is a comedy, others a parody, and still others think is action adventure. The film stars Robert Mitchum with Frank Langella and Rita Hayworth.

Robert Mitchum (1917-97) received his only Oscar nomination for "The Story of GI Joe" (1945), but movie fans know that Mitchum was a terrific actor who deserved far more acknowledgement, but his "bad boy" persona undoubtedly interfered. Mitchum's work in films like "The Night of the Hunter" (1955) and "Cape Fear" (1962) is ranked by AFI as among the top 100 villains of all time. In this film, he plays an adventurer dressed as a priest who carries a machine gun.

Frank Langella made his initial splash in 1970 by winning 2 awards from the National Board of Review for performances in "The 12 Chairs" and in "Diary of a Mad Housewife". He took a detour playing "Dracula" (1979) and then spent considerable time on the stage (where he won 2 Tonys). My personal favorite is Skeletor in "Masters of the Universe" (1987), but many people think his portrayal of Nixon in "Frost/Nixon" (2008) was his best work - indeed he was nominated for an Oscar, but lost to Sean Penn ("Milk"). In this one he plays a villain, although he is so young it's hard to take him seriously.

Beautiful and sexy Rita Hayworth (1918-87) appeared in more than 60 films. At first she stressed her Latin background and her skills as a dancer. After several forgettable films she made her mark in Howard Hawks' "Only Angels Have Wings" (1939) and then went on to more acclaim in "The Strawberry Blonde" (1941) with Jimmy Cagney and "Blood and Sand" (1941) with Tyrone Power. She was a major cover girl in WW2 and is best remembered for her role as "Sadie Thompson" (1953).... This was Hayworth's final film as she was in the early stages of Alzheimer's. She plays Langella's mother.

Note: Langella and Hayworth do not show up until nearly an hour into the film.

Fans of "The Wild Bunch" (1969) will recognize Jorge Russek (he plays Cordona in this film and Mapache's chief aide in TWB)) and Chano Urueta (he plays a villager in this film, and the wise old villager in TWB).

Victor Buono (1938-82) was that rare breed of actor who could play comedy ("Robin and the 7 Hoods") as well as horror ("Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte"). He was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962).

Director Ralph Nelson (1916-87) is best known for his Oscar nominated "Lilies of the Field" (1963) although I prefer his work in "Charly" (1968) and "Requiem for a Heavyweight" (1962). In this film he seems confused.

There have been more than 100 "comedy westerns". Here's a list of some of the best: Mel Brooks' hilarious "Blazing Saddles" (1974), Lee Marvin's Oscar winning "Cat Ballou" (1965), Billy Crystal in "City Slickers" (1991), Bob Hope's "Son of Paleface" (1952), Jimmy Stewart's "Destry Rides Again" (1939), Gene Wilder as "The Frisco Kid" (1979), the Marx Brothers' "Go West" (1940), W.C. Fields and Mae West in "My Little Chickadee" (1940), Don Knotts as "The Shakiest Gun in the West" (1968), Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood in "Paint Your Wagon" (1969), and James Garner's "Support Your Local Sheriff" (1969).

This one is not on the top 10 list, and probably doesn't make the top 100 list. As a comedy there just aren't enough laughs. As a parody, the material is just not sharp enough. As action adventure, there is a paucity of both. Read more ›

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Robert Mitchum and cast! April 2, 2013

By Kathy Sandrock

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This film is noy extremely well-known but it is a fabulous film. The actors are superb and the script is worth listening.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An old favourite December 21, 2012

By justin

Amazon Verified Purchase

I saw this film at the cinema when I was a teenager. I have been trying to get a dvd copy for a long time so it was nice to be able to see it again. A little over long at times but it is always good to see Robert Mitchum in action.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Crazy Fun October 19, 2012

By Todd J. Newman

I thought this film was a real blast to watch. Mitchum is great as always. I saw this on cable a few years back, but until now haven't been able to track it down on dvd, so I'm excited to see it's finally available. The other review posted on here has more info on this strange and fun film.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mitchum Rules in this Potboiler! January 21, 2013

By Pen Slinger

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I have been waiting forever for this title. The presentation did not disappoint and Robert Mitchum is wonderful in this action/adventure tale. The Wrath of God is all kinds of pulp. The kind Quentin Tarantino revers as all other fans of this genre. Victor Buono adds to all the fun. Wonderful twists and turns with witty dialogue. A great representation of the kind of cool the directors of the 70's could entertain us with.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Yedah, 20's Lincolns February 19, 2013

By Mary Streeter

Amazon Verified Purchase

Alan is a Lincoln owner & fan so loved seeing the old cars in great detail, using the remote to go forward and backward in slo-mo for greater detail to help with his restoration of a '23 Lincoln 7-passenger touring car.