Donald Sutherland has made some good movies - "Don't Look Now", for instance - but he's also had his share of shockers, and this one ranks right up there. I'd love to explain that in detail, but doing so would ruin part of the ending. It begins when Koesler, editor of a Detroit Catholic newspaper, agrees to help the police solve a bizarre murder mystery. Say ten "Hail Marys" while meditating on the Mystery. With Donald Sutherland, Charles Durning, Belinda Bauer, Josef Sommer. The Rosary Murders is an extraordinarily good thriller. In tonight's 9-1-1 season 5 episode 1 premiere as per the FOX synopsis, "As the citywide blackout continues to cause mayhem in Los Angeles, A Be better.' Funny story: I grew up protestant. Twitter Facebook Link Print. The making of the Rosary Murders with two original songs by Bobby Laurel. The Rosary Murders was one of the first real adult suspense thrillers I ever read. Midsomer Murders S13E02 The Made to Measure Murders. It was little seen when it came out and sadly its profile has not substantially changed since then, although it is eminently deservous of much greater recognition. The story, scripted by thriller author Elmore Leonard and director Fred Walton, tippy-toes around the subject of our hero's celibacy with implications about his relationship with a Detroit Free Press reporter. he is even cautioned by his fellow priests that me may not do so even to save lives. At this point, one must ask: If the story is of questionable validity, why discuss it? Donald Sutherland is good, but he can't make this film worth seeing all by himself. She moves to another town, but leaves a message with her answering service that she loves him. MOTW-level yellow paged potboiler where Donald Sutherland and Charles Durning play Detroit priests facing a wild ethical quandary: a serial killer splattering clergy spills his crimes to Sutherlands casual collar during confession. Rent this movie and see if you agree. The World At War 1973. I found that funny because the book cover has a dead woman in a bathtub..it doesn't show anything vital, but the naked is implied. NEW LINE CINEMA (NEW LINE); New Line Cinema; Virgin Vision Location. After a black rosary is found at the scene on the body of those who have been murdered, Father Robert Koesler (Donald Sutherland) hears a confession for the crimes from the other end of a partition. | Okay, I will get off my soapbox now. Did she exist? Police believe he stopped his attack because he was spooked when a girl used the bathroom at the far end of the hallway around 3:15A.M. What Everyone is REALLY Thinking in the Cry Room, Laugh Your Way to Holiness with Catholic Card Game. If the girl with the rosary was real, did a mysterious force prevent Ted Bundy from killing her? Charles Durning on the other hand is right on as the hard nosed conservative priest who lives by the book with no room for compassion. "The Rosary Murders" is based on a neo-noir novel by William X. Kienzle who was a real catholic priest. The thriller, which also stars Charles Durning as a conservative priest and Belinda Bauer as a reporter, wins its stripes by exploring the dark connections between guilt, sex, and Catholicism. Streaming on Roku. Ted Bundy killed Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy and injured Kathy Kleiner and Karen Chandler at the Chi Omega Sorority House on January 15, 1978. Leaving a rosary on the bodies of his victims the killer seems to be sending a message to what his motives are. The Rosary Murders is an interesting little mystery-thriller with a solid premise and some spine chilling moments. On January 13, 1978 Ted Bundy broke into the Chi Omega Sorority House on the campus of Florida State University and went on a rampage. A slow-boil thriller that has some great moments but kinda fizzles overall. However, the more credible sources on this story relate that she had fallen asleep. Not really a fault of the movie, just church law. Walton's direction is slickly presented, but feels shapeless and dry. He had no actual intention of clearing up his wrong doings. "The Rosary Murders" is based on a neo-noir novel by William X. Kienzle who was a real catholic priest. The 2009 blog did originally mention something to the effect of Bundy said he could not continue the attack. There is no justifiable way to conclude Bundy felt a mysterious force that night. 105m/C VHS . Although convoluted the plot is an interesting premise. I'd love to explain that in detail, but doing so would ruin part of the ending. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Still makes me laugh to this day. A priest is conflicted following a string of murders which target fellow priests and nuns in this dark mystery drama. A Nice little spin on Hitchcocks I Confess with Donald Sutherland as a priest who hears a confession from a serial killer murdering priests and nuns. The Rosary Murders deals with a lot of complex issues in the Catholic church, someone might argue the plot of this film is absurd, but it's not. Leonard adapts a 1978 novel by William Kienzle, himself a former Catholic priest, who became a crime writer went on to write 24 books featuring Father Robert Koesler. But in this particular telling, the results are kind of bland. Donald Sutherland, Charles Durning, Belinda Bauer, Josef Sommer, James Murtaugh, John Danelle, Addison Powell, Kathleen Tolan, Janet Smith; D: Fred Walton; W: Fred Walton, Elmore Leonard; C: David Golia. Free. Get this album or track at: 2:25. No expression so you had no idea where the film was going. The Rosary Murders. This 2009 blog post appears to have set in motion the crazy spread of this story across the blogosphere. With Sutherland especially doing some great work. Soon a nun is killed and the hunt is on for a serial killer. [CDATA[ He was constantly staring into space. Just before his execution, Bundy announced he would sit down with any investigator from any jurisdiction who had unsolved murders that they thought Bundy might have committed. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of serviceapply. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1954 and spent twenty years as a Roman Catholic parish priest. While the non-starter love interest B-plot (sorry, Belinda Bauer) sticks uneasily to the doughy mid-section, at least the murders themselves pack a punch and are surprisingly varied. VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever. Good plot and decent characters, but for today's reader marred by the fact of the casual racist, sexist and religious quips and jokes that don't sit so well today. The author has relied heavily upon the literary device of COINCIDENCE in constructing his plot; i.e., he expects you to believe that several people living in the same part of the country would have certain proper names. Someone is murdering Detroits clergy. In contrast to Walton's spine-tingling "When a . He sighs and goes on sleuthing about the creepy corridors of the Holy Redeemer complex. A killer of Detroit clergy confesses to a priest, who turns sleuth because he cannot tell the police. They do not look kindly upon people of Faith. Like any series, they vary a LOT in quality. 5. I'm going to Hell now, I know it. In his early days of academia, no teachers ever told him he was a talented writer; they only gave him grades. In fact, as a teenager, when I brought it to the check-out counter at my small hometown library, the librarian called my father to get permission to check it out to me. But he's bound by church law to say nothing. The murderer leaves behind a rosary. Donald Sutherland is a priest faced with a dilemma, as he watches these people die. There's something about this particular type of plot and tone that I'm jonesing for at the minute, so I'll definitely be trying to source a couple more films directed by Fred Walton. My dad's response to the librarian? The Rosary Murders "was William X. Kienzle's first Father Koesler mystery, published in 1978. We ought to be giving more attention to the victims of horrendous crimes and not those who perpetrate those crimes. 24 Feb. 2023
. Release Date. First of all, after leaving Chi Omega that night, Bundy went on to attack another girl, Cheryl Thomas (she survived), that night. Learn more. After reading the alleged story, I shifted the focus of my Google searching. Koesler helps the police find how the killer was able to gain access to the seminary. Tv shows. It is entirely possible. The original trailer in high definition of The Rosary Murders directed by Fred Walton and starring Donald Sutherland, Charles Durning, Belinda Bauer. This one was quite enjoyable. His book, Eugne de Mazenod: A Saint for Today, is available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and LeoninePublishers.com. Before leaving for college, she had promised her mother and/or grandmother that she would pray the rosary before bed every night even if she fell asleep doing so. All Rights Reserved. 'The Rosary Murders' (R) By Rita Kempley Washington Post Staff Writer September 26, 1987 Donald Sutherland still seems to be suffering from his brush with the Body Snatchers in his role as the . Genres: Thriller, Mystery. I could definitely relate to this because I'm a lifelong Catholic. The director is Fred Walton whose line of genre films both . As the bodies start to pile up, Detectives Koznicki and Harris turn to one of the Motor Citys priests, Father Robert Koesler, for help. When I saw that there was a movie starring NAACP Image Award-winning actor Donald Sutherland as a priest who tries to track down a serial killer bumping off clergy, it seemed like a serendipitous companion to the show. Director Fred Walton, Screenplay Fred Walton & Elmore Leonard, Based on the Novel by William Kienzle, Producer Robert G. Laurel, Photography David Golia, Music Bobby Laurel & Don Sebesky, Special Effects Rick Josephson. Get this album or track at: 2:29. The Rosary Murders Directed by Fred Walton. This will allow for a more in-depth discussion of the topic. However the pacing seemed to plod a bit too much, where some monotonous patches seemed to lose focus. More at William Kienzle wrote at least 20 mysteries featuring Father Bob Koessler. :). What about the girl who was praying the rosary that night? Directed by: Fred Walton. Lenten Brother Francis for Kids on FORMED. Film data from TMDb. See production, box office & company info. However, none of the legitimate websites where one would expect to find this story mentioned, leading me to question its validity. Films Depicting NASA and the Space Program, Films That Make Dubious Claims to Being Based on True Stories, Coming of Age Stories in Fantastic Cinema, Films About Cryogenics and Suspended Animation, Disturbed Psychology as Portrayed on Film. The Rosary Murders. Book Review: The Rosary Girls by Richard Montanari #bookreview. One of the priests (Donald Sutherland) is joined by a journalist (Belinda Bauer) attempting to cover the story; both aim to stop the killer before he dispatches more nuns, monks, and members of the Holy Order. A priest is torn between confidentiality and justice when a serial killer confesses that he's murdered priests and nuns, leaving rosaries as clues. Report this film. Evil's Kristen Bouchard has had a hell of a week. I found this book because I needed it for a challenge and then I was intrigued. This is the first in the Father Koesler series by the late William X. Kienzle. I wanted to read this book after seeing the Donald Sutherland movie and I wasn't disappointed. A Priest as the main character is a compelling idea, but this doesn't do anything with it that's really special. Note: when I first wrote out "serial killer" I accidentally wrote "cereal killer" and that made me chuckle. Spirituality & Practice. 'Evil' Finale Recap: Season 1, Episode 13 [Spoiler] Is . External Reviews Life in the Catholic Church of the Holy Redeemer in Detroit is upset by a series of killings whose victims are all priests and nuns. The Rosary Murders (1987) 16 08/28/1987 (US) Crime, Mystery, Thriller 1h 45m User Score. He listens as the killer talks about how the church let his sixteen year-old daughter die. Born in Maple Grove, MN, Hey has lived in Sioux Falls, SD since 1995. New Phim Vit Nam Vision. Share. Detroit, Michigan, USA Technical Specs. Some stretches of dialogue Belinda Bauers confession, the end reading of Katharines letter are extremely moving. I firmly believe that the most important names in this story are Margaret Bowman, Lisa Levy, Kathy Kleiner, and Karen Chandler. The murderer has confessed to him, and after a bit of amateur sleuthing he knows who it is. It was also made into a movie, with Donald Sutherland in the role of Father Koesler. Donald Sutherland with short hair = bad movie. Source for information on The Rosary Murders: VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever dictionary. Walton came to attention with the slasher film When a Stranger Calls (1979) and went onto make April Fools Day (1986) and Dead Air (1994) and a host of made-for-tv movies including the likes of I Saw What You Did (1988), Trapped (1989), Homewrecker (1992), When a Stranger Calls Back (1993) and The Stepford Husbands (1996). I will give the movie this - instead of being presented in an extremely hyped and breakneck pace, the movie is executed in a more calmer fashion than you might think, which is refreshing. The editing at several points is very wonky though, especially in the murder scenes. Encyclopedia.com. The police don't have a clue, but Father Koesler sees a pattern. Not only does she spend much of the CBS drama's finale worr Please consider upgrading to a Pro accountfor less than a couple bucks a month, youll get cool additional features like all-time and annual stats pages (example), the ability to select (and filter by) your favorite streaming services, and no ads! The unlawful killing of another human being without justification or excuse. At times, The Rosary Murders resembles a serial killer version of Alfred Hitchcocks I Confess (1953), which featured Montgomery Clift as a priest troubled over whether to break the sanctity of the confessional by revealing his knowledge of a murder. He'd rather I read murder mysteries than bodice ripper romance novels with half naked people on the front. Can range from abrupt to almost hilariously poorly timed. The Rosary Murders R , 1h 44m Mystery & Thriller; Directed By: Fred Walton . Warning: This post contains big spoilers for Evil's Season 1 finale. MlH Of Series Channel. 6. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/rosary-murders, "The Rosary Murders The two primary sources (and I use that term loosely in this case) for this story do not mention the mysterious force. After service with the Dutch he returned to, Lucas Bacchus, Caracas, Gracchus Damascus Aristarchus, carcass, Hipparchus, Marcus discus, hibiscus, meniscus, viscous umbilicus Copernicus E, The Rooster and the Dancing Girl (Niwatori to Odoriko) by Kawabata Yasunari, 1926, The Role of Value Judgments in Public Policy Choice: Some Observations in the Asian Context, The Role of the "Sea Peoples" in Transforming History, The Role of Recreation in American Society, The Roe v. Wade Decision Should not be Reconsidered, The Roe v. Wade Decision Should be Reconsidered, The Rosetta Stone Is Discovered by Napoleonic Soldiers, The Rosetta Stone: The Key to Ancient Egypt, https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/rosary-murders, Margin for Murder MickeySpillane's Margin for Murder 1981. Kienzle was the author of twenty-four crime fiction/mystery novels featuring Father Robert Koesler, a Catholic priest who doubles as a detective. I had previously read all the other books in this series, but had somehow missed this one. I understand there are another twenty books in the series and if I can find them, I will definitely read them. The fact that you could allow people to be killed because of some religious notion is just silly to me. His favorite branch of theology is angelology. Donald Sutherland Charles Durning Josef Sommer. However, because it did not appear in his story, he assumes he was not told about it. Filmed on location in Detroit. California, Connecticut, Colorado, Utah & Virginia Residents Only: To opt out of selling or sharing/processing for targeted advertising of information such as cookies and device identifiers processed for targeted ads (as defined by law) and related purposes for this site/app on this browser/device, switch this toggle to off (grey color) by moving it left and clicking "Confirm My Choice" below. me on june 25th, 2021 naively watching invasion of the body snatchers and the rosary murders in rapid succession, thereby becoming aware of both malewife and hot priest iterations of sutherland within 24 hours of eachother: huh! The script moves over to comment on the Catholic Church, not denouncing it per se, but criticising its lack of compassionate balance and its appallingly inadequate dismissal of both Javison and Katherines anguish. ." Letterboxd Limited. Copyright 2006 - 2023 by CIStems, Inc., d.b.a. I believe this was his first novel too. Police believe he stopped his attack because he was spooked when a girl used the bathroom at the far end of the hallway around 3:15A.M. Letterboxd is an independent service created by a small team, and we rely mostly on the support of our members to maintain our site and apps. A neo-noir? Even after the deranged individual responsible for these crimes confesses in church, the priest remains determined to find out who he is and why he is leaving a black rosary wrapped around the hand of each victim. It does the Faith no good if false stories are being circulated to promote the Faith. Mystery thriller with a Catholic twist. The Rosary Murders 1987 (R)Based on the William X. Kienzle mystery about a serial killer preying on nuns and priests. If he really did feel that mysterious force, would he not have ceased his rampage entirely? Synopsis: priests and nuns are his targets. There were many websites that shared various versions of the story. Sure some things are dated, but it was politically correct at the time. Two stalwart figure heads; an impressive Donald Sutherland and equally so Charles Durning are engagingly strong. priest, confession [criminal], serial-killer, investigation, killing, nun, amateur, detective, investigator, murder, victim. A priest is conflicted following a string of murders which target fellow priests and nuns in this dark mystery drama. Sutherland, usually very good, doesn't really fit the role perfectly and the ending feels a little forced, trying to tie all the loose ends up. Leonard is of course best known as a crime novelist and a number of his works have been adapted into popular films including 52 Pick-Up (1974), Get Shorty (1995), Quentin Tarantinos Jackie Brown (1997), Paul Schraders miracle-healer film Touch (1997), Steven Soderberghs Out of Sight (1998), 3:10 to Yuma (2007) and Life of Crime (2013). An alright little murder mystery. Midsomer Murders S21E02 - The Miniature Murders - Part 01. I contacted Bill Zlatos, the Pittsburgh reporter who wrote the profile on Monsignor William Kerr (whom he called one of the holiest persons he had ever met), who said he probably would have used the mysterious force part of the story if he had heard it from Monsignor Kerr. 36%. Everyone saw this charade for what it was, and the conversations ceased. I like religious horror and giallos. The story, based on . The Rosary Murders, first published in 1978, is coming to readers again. Let us assume, for a brief moment, that Ted Bundy did say a mysterious force did prevent him from continuing his rampage at Chi Omega. The story involves a series of murders associated with people in the catholic church, some laymen/laywomen while others are clergy. Fred Walton. I want it to be true, but I cannot believe something I know is most likely not true. I came across this book at my mother-in-laws. The author has relied heavily upon the literary device of COINCIDENCE in constructing his plot; i.e., he expects you to believe that several people living in the same part of the country would have certain proper names. Ted Bundy did attack the Chi Omega Sorority House on January 15, 1978. Say the "Our Father". Yet, it's not as edgy as the central premise and everything outside of the main mystery just falls . Sutherland and Charles Durning are the main highlights. While City of Angels is incredibly different tha Donald Sutherland still manages to be quite good. The movie has a gritty, junkyard-dog look to it. He's still watchable. Sutherland knows who the killer is after the killer tells him during confession. What, if anything is true in the above story? Joseph Somer gives a fine performance as the police detective who knows that Father Koesler (Sutherland) knows something but also realizes he cannot compel him to share the knowledge. I originally read this in high school. Warning: This post contains big spoilers for Evil's Season 1 finale.. Evil's Kristen Bouchard has had a hell of a week.. Not only does she spend much of the CBS drama's finale worried that a . IMDb He is bound by the church law to not betray that trust despite the fact that more people will be killed. If Bundy did Monsignor Kerr about a mysterious force, it should be assumed he did so simply to mess with him. Copyright EpicPew. This story did not appear anywhere until 2002 when it was mentioned in a 2002 article in a Pittsburgh newspaper(a really good article; I recommend it). First of all, if it is true, we should be shouting it from the rooftops! At least he did construct a subtle, startlingly dreary atmosphere and the music score etches out a placidly haunting vibe. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. | behind the killers choice of victims. Rated the #456 best film of 1987. Walton favours a bloodless approach and the film is often more spookier than a dozen others that do not. James Stewart was a second son of Lord Ochiltree [S]. Entertaining enough. As familiar as this plot is, it can all the same be done with intelligence and tension. Part of the effectiveness here might well be the other surprise name on the credits Waltons co-writer Elmore Leonard. VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever. Father Koesler (Sutherland) must betray the confessional to stop him. The Rosary Murders was named one of the top twenty-five mysteries of the twentieth century in spring 2000 by the Chicago Sun-Times. It was a sorority house. Directed by When Stranger Calls Fred Walton in a low key well observed style that serves the weight over Sutherlands shoulders better than the crime investigation stuff which is often rather contrived. This is a Detroit set mystery series featuring the Catholic church. Koznicki: Josef Sommer.. After a black rosary is found at the scene on the body of those who have been murdered, Father Robert Koesler (Donald Sutherland) hears a confession for the crimes from the other end of a partition. This is a gripping murder mystery that I think will engage the reader regardless of one's religious persuasion (or lack thereof). This presents a moral quandary for Father Koesler: does he remain silent after being forced to absolve a killer for his heinous sins, or does he turn his back on his sworn duty as a priest and reveal what he knows about the killer to the authorities? And, in particular, I knew the late William "Bill" Kienzle, On Kindle, you can still get most of his great Detroit-centric murder mysteries, including the original: The Rosary Murders: The Father Koesler Mysteries: Book 1 After Bill's death in 2001, his novels seemed to disappear. I can't believe that anybody has a good thing to say about this movie. Koesler is taking confession when he realises that the man he is talking to is the killer. best sustainable website design . Sem dvida, esta histria de detetive est entre as melhores que j li. The Rosary Murders is an extraordinarily good thriller. In this film, which Fred Walton has directed and co-written with Elmore Leonard, Donald Sutherland stars as a liberal priest who gets involved in a . Metacritic Reviews. A priest cannot tell on a child rapist or a serial killer even if they confess. I write for epicPew and have a masters degree in criminal justice. //