The Seventh Sign (1988)

Director:

Carl Schultz

Writers:

Clifford Green (writer)
Ellen Green (writer)

Release Date:

1 April 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Thriller

Tagline:

The seals have been broken. The prophecies have begun. Now only one woman can halt the end of our world.

Plot:

Around the world, the signs of the apocalypse--as outlined in the Book of Revelation--seem to be coming to pass in the wake of a mysterious wanderer...

Plot Keywords:

Cardinal | Butcher Knife | Childbirth | Biblical Quote | Earthquake

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Demi Moore	...	Abby Quinn
Michael Biehn	...	Russell Quinn
Jürgen Prochnow	...	David Bannon
Peter Friedman	...	Father Lucci
Manny Jacobs	...	Avi
John Taylor	...	Jimmy Szaragosa
Lee Garlington	...	Dr. Margaret Inness
Akosua Busia	...	Penny Washburn
Harry Basil	...	Kids Korner Salesman
Arnold Johnson	...	Janitor
John Walcutt	...	Novitiate
Michael Laskin	...	Israeli Colonel
Hugo Stanger	...	Old Priest
Patricia Allison	...	Administrator
Ian Buchanan	...	Mr. Huberty

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Norway:15

Filming Locations:

Dominica

Company:

Interscope Communications

Trivia:

Ellen DeGeneres filmed a small role, but it was cut from the film before release. The cut scene was shown on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on May 23, 2007. Had it not been cut, it would be Ellen DeGeneres first film role.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Abby visits the old rabbi's apartment, the mezuzah on his doorframe is tilted the wrong way. (It should be tilted top-inward.) Avi's (the fellow across the hall) is also placed incorrectly, as it is straight up and down, and should also be tilted inward.

Quotes:

Centurion Cartaphilus: Will you die for him? WILL YOU DIE FOR HIM?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: (2007-05-23)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

MUMMIES

Part Occult Serial, Part Lifetime TV fluff

I first saw this movie on edited cable, and it was entertaining despite the fact that Demi Moore was the star(and pregnant!!!) Later on when I saw the unedited version, I found only three differences: a few S words, a bit more focus on the graphic hospital scenes, and Demi Moore appears totally naked (and pregnant!!!!) The story was obviously copied from the Omen, which was copied from Rosemary's baby, so it's no surprise. But its more mild and uplifting than both those films, with the baby's role being that of a messiah instead of the antichrist.

Peter Friedman appears as the wandering priest, who we later learn has a very strange past and a disturbing agenda of his own. Michael Biehn is the sensitive husband and lawyer (a definite "Lifetime TV" character) a departure from his usual roles where he is either a smart commando (see Navy Seals, The Terminator, Aliens) or an evil one (The Abyss). Jurgen Prochnow is quite charming as The Boarder, who makes a very impressive entry at the opening of the film on a small Carribean Island.

I actually admire Demi Moore for her commitment to the cinema, she's shaved her head for GI Jane, gotten obtrusive breast implants for Striptease, and even allowed her pregnancy to be turned into a weird fictional story, going so far as to allow herself to be filmed naked and pregnant (which she did again for the cover of Vanity Fair during her second pregnancy a few years later). But Demi's acting abilities aren't nearly as great as her 8 figure movie salaries would suggest, and this film is definite proof. But most girls I know who like "television for women" and men who like a mild thriller to watch on the sunday afternoon movie have reacted positively to this film, so don't be afraid to see it.