A flat film based on true events akin to “Burke and Hare” — it might need as many adaptations as that story to get it right.
A Priest takes a young man under his wing and convinces him to help eradicate Satan by killing people he deems evil. Let’s dig into 1988’s APPRENTICE TO MURDER, directed by Ralph L. Thomas!
As I See It
This bullet train runs at the speed of a nineteen seventies British drama. It is a period piece, but as Kubrick so succinctly said, “Yea, it’s a story, but is it interesting?” I would give a resounding no in this case.
The fact that this is based on a true story is not surprising. Buying in blind can lead humans to perform often uncouth acts. These commandments can not be broken unless it’s in the name of God. Dogma is ever-changing and adapting to fit your predilections.
Anyway, Sutherland is a worthy villain working with an unworthy script.
The source material seems to be overflowing with possibilities. Making it a period piece, even if it’s the accurate time period when the true story occurred, was the wrong choice here. The blood-soaked deities were coming to a close, and the psychological thrillers that became trendy in the nineties were already planting their roots.
Give me a giallo inspired, demonic twist and shout, and I’m buying a ticket.
Famous Faces
Chad Lowe (Billy) is the just-as-attractive, blonder younger brother of star Rob Lowe.
Besides being the father of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), Donald Sutherland (John Reese) has a lot of credits on his jacket. Two genre films that stick out are the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, which is now a meme, and Joss Whedon’s bastard film Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Mia Sara (Alice) played Ferris’s girlfriend, Sloane Peterson, in the seminal eighties teen comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Of Gratuitous Nature
They shot the dog! No one can ever accept it when you shoot the dog!
Heartthrob
The genes are undeniable in the Lowe family. Chad may not have seen the high water mark his brother had, but he’s worked steadily for a long time in an industry that sours as your looks fade — unless your last name is Lowe.
Ripe for a Remake
As I said, up the gore. Make it Se7en meets The Exorcist, and you’ve got yourself a fun piece of horror.
Spawns
No progeny to report.
Where to Watch
Arrow Video put out a Blu-Ray with a good amount of extras. You can stream it on Tubi or Arrow’s proprietary streaming service.
Overall Rating (Out of 5 Butterflies): 1.5
THE DAILY DIG
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