Cast
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Christopher Lambert
as Det. John Prudhomme
Leland Orser
as Det. Andrew Hollinsworth
Barbara Tyson
as Sara Prudhomme
Jeff J.J. Authors
as Paramedic
David Cronenberg
as Father Rousell
Jayne Eastwood
as Dolores Koontz
Rick Fox
as Scholfield
Robert Joy
as Demus
Peter MacNeill
as Captain Whippley
Jonathan Potts
as Det. Moltz
Karen Glave
as FBI Receptionist
James Kidnie
as Walter Chibley
Chaz Thorne
as David Elkins
Mike Anscombe
as News Anchor
Barbara Gordon
as Judge Seers
Crew
Director
- Russell Mulcahy
Producer
- Howard Baldwin
- Patrick D. Cheh
- Christopher Lambert
- Nile Niami
Reviews
Gimly
Look, I hate cops as much as the next guy, but the ineptitude of every single policeman in this film is just so infuriating. _Resurrection_ could probably have been interesting, the logline certainly made it sound like it was going to be, but it was so surface level. Honestly the motivation that's in the descriptor for this movie was so easy to miss I'm not sure that they really explored it at all. I know _Se7en_ was popular and all, but people didn't like that movie just because it had a murder tableau, it actually had good story and characters in it too. _Resurrection_ does not.
_Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product._
Jul 26, 2020
tmdb28039023
Resurrection is a Se7en clone (complete with your standard copious rain) with no brains but lotsa guts. Instead of the seven deadly sins, the killer targets people named after apostles — five (5) apostles to be exact; I guess the full dozen would have taken too long a time.
Additionally, the villain harvests different body parts from his victims in order to “rebuild the boy of Christ.” Rebuild? Jesus was crucified, not hanged, drawn and quartered; why would his body need rebuilding? (now, if it were any of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, that’d be another story).
About halfway through the movie, the killer sends Det. John Prudhomme (Christopher Lambert) a tape; part of it is broadcast on the news, and some lady living in an apartment building recognizes the voice as belonging to one of her neighbors, who “seems like a very nice guy, but I bet a lot of those serial killers are like that.”
In a twist that would be clever if it weren’t so stupid, the neighbor turns out to be a blind man whom the real killer paid to make the tape. Really. So, according to this dumb broad, “a lot of those serial killers” are "nice guys", and blind? Maybe she thought he was just pretending, but either way isn’t this the kind of detail that might strike a witness as odd enough to at least, you know, mention it to the police?
All this nonsense will eventually pay off, however; patient viewers will be rewarded with one of the sickest, most blasphemous visuals visuals ever to grace a horror film, followed by one of the silliest. The former occurs when the almost finished FrankenChrist is unveiled.
I say ‘almost finished’ because, for some reason, the killer needs the heart of a baby born after midnight on Easter to a woman named Mary. Everybody got that? Good. Let me see if I can get this straight. The bad guy wants to “rebuild” the body of Christ on time for Resurrection Sunday — implying, like everything else, an adult JC — but he’s going to give it a Baby Jesus heart?
This is all madness and no method, but it leads to the second unforgettable (though for very different reasons) image: the killer holding a rubber baby, threatening to drop it from the hospital roof, and Lambert (who in real life can't see a thing without his glasses) catching it in midair.
Aug 30, 2022
Thematic Analysis
This Crime/Mystery/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Resurrection presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Russell Mulcahy brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1999, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Resurrection took approximately 23 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $10.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 108 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 157 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The costume department created over 292 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The musical score contains over 49 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1999, when this film was released:
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Resurrection shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Silence of the Lambs, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Resurrection offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Strange Days and Notorious explore similar territory, Resurrection stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 5, 1999
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Budget: $10,000,000
Where to Watch
