The Film: Prince of Darkness (1987)
The Principals: Donald Pleasence, Lisa Blount and Victor Wong.
The Premise: Satan is a green liquid, trapped in a cylinder beneath a Los Angeles church. Fearing what this may mean, a Priest (Pleasence) invites a metaphysics professor and some of his students to come investigate the ooze. The Priest believes it to be something evil, and asks the scientist and his crew to study an ancient text that may hold the secret. When their findings reveal the truth, all hell breaks loose – with hoards of homeless falling under the power of the evil one and begin assaulting the church, just as Satan attempts to cross over to this world.
Is it Good: Oh yes. Prince of Darkness is a great John Carpenter horror film. It’s a unique premise, having Satan not only be liquid but also the son of the Anti-God, with both existing in the realm of anti-matter. It’s an interesting take on religion and serves the story well. Carpenter’s use of a recurring dream the whole group shares is creepy, and his use of it throughout the film really helps establish the suspense.
For the cast, the Alice Cooper aspect (he plays one of the homeless) has always thrown me off a bit, but is harmless. Pleasence is good as the highly nervous Priest. Victor Wong is great as the Professor and the rest of the cast are perfectly fine for what they’re there for: which is to be either possessed, murdered or sent through a mirror towards the Dark One.
Carpenter’s scores have always been a favorite of mine, and the trend continues here. He uses the pulsating synths better than anyone, and it’s great. The fact that they’re simple is not only charming but also manages to work with the film, rather than against it as some scores tend to.
I know this was received negatively when it was released in ’87, but I really think this is a truly classic John Carpenter movie. It’s small but with pretty big ideas, and does a great job establishing the points needed to advance the story. The Satan-is-a-liquid thing actually works, and the dream sequences are every bit unnerving today as they were 23 years ago.
Random Anecdotes:
If you’ve a horror fan you need to see this. Don’t expect the greatest thing ever, but it is a really good bit of Carpenter and possibly his last really good horror/suspense movie. Plus, the ending is classic.
20 comments
Agreed. A very gothic, almost Lovecraftian tale. Definitely his most underrated.
Respectfully disagree. This movie is about as boring and meandering as a movie can be. Being as it's Carpenter, I probably should give it another viewing, but my memories are not fond. Except for ole boy's super porned out mustached. That, sirs, is legendary.
This needs to come out on BD as soon as possible.
I love this movie (and Carpenter in general). The only weak spot in my view is the lead actor. Jameson Parker, despite his pornstache, is bland bland bland. Luckily, the cast borders on being ensemble, so it doesn't matter too much.
Anyone seen the TV cut of it? I've heard it was recut so that the entire movie was all a dream.
Love this movie, just watched it again a couple of weeks ago. It's one of the few horror movies that really freaks me out. Scarier than The Exorcist in my eyes. Although Jameson Parker is terrible.
My second favorite Carpenter film behind The Thing. That dream sequence absolutely scared the piss out of me as a child and to this day unnerves me greatly. Carpenter is never better then his "Apocalypse Trilogy." Watch this with "Quartermass and the Pit" and life is pretty much a big bowl of Meatballs. And on a side note Jameson Parker has the 'stache due to "White Dog" eating his upperlip so Delta Burke sewed one onto his face. Sadly she ate him and the 'stache on the way to "Designing Women"
It's bland-o-vision Carpenter, so be warned first-timers. There's enough interesting stuff there to make it worthwhile (Nigel Kneale is always worth investigation and it's one of the few movies where people actually burrow thru walls to escape a tight spot) but it looks cheap, like a telemovie almost, so BR is irrelevant to image quality. Apparently the bicycle-stabbing is a Cooper stage-stunt. He's totally a unnecessary presence.
Steve. Agreed. This is a very good John Carpenter film. The pacing, in particular, is excellent and truly drives the film. The 'truth' about Jesus is amazing and the dream broadcast is haunting to this day. Let's not forget the great Dennis Dun! This is a must see for the horror fan. People were shocked when they left the theater the night I saw this!
Second favorite Carpenter behind THE THING for me as well. Saw it opening night back in '87. The next week, I took my class to see it. I find the "hard science vs. the supernatural" aspect of the film to be unique and demanding of examination long after the closing credits.
DJ Shadow samples the "dream" section of this movie in his classic album "Endtroducing", and it pops in and out of the mix at varying times. Definitely worth checking out. Probably the best "DJ" album ever made.
An uneven film for sure yet I cannot stop watching it! Creepy as hell in some parts, a bit nasty in others and some clumsy parts. The ending still gets me every time and really leaves me with the haunted and creeped out feeling.
One of Carpenter's creepiest films, to be sure. Love "The Apocalypse Trilogy"!
Really liked this flick, warts and all. I'd always been inclined to give Carpenter a bit of a pass on many of his flawed projects but I think the good far outweighs the bad on this one. The "behind the mirror" scene was chilling. I fell in love with Lisa Blount during this film.
Victor Wong died the day after 9 11.
My friend and I saw this at a 10pm showing when we were in 7th grade and had to walk home scared shitless from the theater. Always loved this flick.
Not perfect, but it sticks with you and makes you think.
The weakest part isn't the pornstache, but the blonde ponytail/bob on the Antichrist.
The film's 3rd reel is CRAZY. And the ending? Carpenter's always been great with trick endings (better than M. Night by far, if you need proof see Halloween, Escape From New York, Big Trouble in Little China, even Escape From LA, which ONLY has a good ending), but THIS ending is the cream of the crop. Dennis Dun needs more work.
Terrible film. The characters are average horror movie bland without any of the perk that Carpenter usually delivers. Poorly staged, too, with logic that is just silly, not weird or horror off-putting.
Prince of Darkness is awesome. It's not the most widely loved Carpenter film, but it ranks up there among Halloween, The Fog, and The Thing for me. The story, music, acting, and imagery are excellent. The opening montage/credit sequence is unique, and builds a sense of dread and anticipation while introducing all the major players. The last 20 minutes or so are crazy 80's horror fun, and the ending is absolutely perfect. John Carpenter is the master when it comes to ending his films. Prince of Darkness is probably his most overlooked horror film, and it's definitely worthy of rediscovery.
Dammit. Why don't I own this movie!?
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