The second victim is a colleague of Father Bob Koesler. Filmed on location in Detroit. Not entirely sure if I saw this back in the late 80s as a VHS rental. Announce the First Mystery and then say the "Our Father". As slow-burns go, Fred Walton's mysterious catholic-bounded thriller takes the cake with its minimal and sombre treatment. Both of those movies are really suspenseful, so it's a shame that "The Rosary Murders" never really gets going. 59:59. While he was a good writer, this kind of story was not what he was good at. | Confession Criminelle, Rosary Murders MPAA Rating. BAd script and slow paced but still very watchable, Moody, austere Catholic serial killer drama, Would Have Been Better in a More Talented Director's Hands. I enjoyed this. The story, based on . This is a Detroit set mystery series featuring the Catholic church. 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. Watch in HD. The murderer has confessed to him, and after a bit of amateur sleuthing he knows who it is. The 2009 blog did originally mention something to the effect of Bundy said he could not continue the attack. With Sutherland especially doing some great work. But this flaw will not diminish your enjoyment of the film, as there is enough action to keep the murder mystery fan happy. The Rosary Murders is the sole film in Fred Waltons oeuvre that stands out as being extremely good. Donald Sutherland plays Father Robert Koesler, a priest in Detroit who hears the confession of a murderer who is going around offing various priests and nuns. (February 24, 2023). VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever. Say the "Glory Be". 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). Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. He attacked four girls, killing two, Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy, and leaving Kathy Kleiner and Karen Chandler severely injured. Second Story Priest. The police don't have a clue, but Father Koesler sees a pattern. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. His imagination has always been over-active, and his love for story telling continues to bloom. Overview. 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. Father Robert Koesler: People are going to die. 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. It does the Faith no good if false stories are being circulated to promote the Faith. Made by fans in Aotearoa New Zealand. It's like reading Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot - get in the spirit of the book. Interesting, though sometimes muddled and too rarely tense. As the bodies start to pile up, Detectives Koznicki and Harris turn to one of the Motor Citys priests, Father Robert Koesler, for help. At this point, one must ask: If the story is of questionable validity, why discuss it? Depen, milo aloe, callow, fallow, hallow, mallow, marshmallow, sallow, shallow, tallow Pablo, tableau cashflow Anglo matelot Carlo, Harlow, Marlowe, Burke and Hare These men are universally believed to have been body snatchers, but in fact they made a good living in the 1820s supplying an Edinburg, vendetta abetter, begetter, better, bettor, biretta, bruschetta, carburettor (US carburetor), debtor, feta, fetter, forgetter, getter, go-getter, Gr, Arran, James Stewart, 4th earl of [S] (c.155095). William Kienzle wrote at least 20 mysteries featuring Father Bob Koessler. I'm pretty sure Elmore Leonard slumbered his way through the source material's adaptation. Fairly standard yet still luridly fun, with a twist that doesnt feel too far off from being an American answer to WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE?. Donald Sutherland is a Detroit priest who hears the confession of a serial killer with a grudge against the clergy, and is later forced by the ethics of his vocation to (reluctantly) hunt down the murderer himself, unearthing a spine-chilling string of motivation behind each new death. However the pacing seemed to plod a bit too much, where some monotonous patches seemed to lose focus. The director is Fred Walton whose line of genre films both . Film data from TMDb. One of his best known novels is his first, The Rosary Murders (1978), which was made into a 1987 movie starring Donald Sutherland as Father Koesler. Sem dvida, esta histria de detetive est entre as melhores que j li. In The Rosary Murders, Detroit priests and nuns are being methodically murdered; all are found with a plain black rosary entwined . When the killer explains why he did it I started laughing. I thought it was alright. Like any series, they vary a LOT in quality. :). 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 . 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 . I recommend this any day of the week. However, there was more than one survivor. I'd love to explain that in detail, but doing so would ruin part of the ending. The Associated Press did not write about this story and to insinuate otherwise adds fuel to fire of the negative opinions of those on the Snopes forum. Bundy replied that he felt a mysterious force preventing him from entering her room. The Rosary Murders. I mean, really. I also believe that all of the blog posts that state a mysterious force stopped Ted Bundy that night should be deleted. Explores the dark connection between guilt, sex, and Catholicism. It was also made into a movie, with Donald Sutherland in the role of Father Koesler. ." After reading the alleged story, I shifted the focus of my Google searching. Some stretches of dialogue Belinda Bauers confession, the end reading of Katharines letter are extremely moving. If Bundy did Monsignor Kerr about a mysterious force, it should be assumed he did so simply to mess with him. Is this a giallo? Then, after he was arrested, Ted Bundy asked Father Kerr to be his spiritual advisor in prison. Note: when I first wrote out "serial killer" I accidentally wrote "cereal killer" and that made me chuckle. Some blogs that mention this story include an Associated Press attribution which is blatantly false. It was a sorority house. But in this particular telling, the results are kind of bland. Some scenes are startling the cold chill that comes in the moment that Donald Sutherland returns to his room to find the flower pinned to his dartboard; or the scene where he stands by the grave reciting the names of the victims and is joined by the whispered voice coming out of the darkness; and the jump that rattles the whole theatre as a tense Sutherland opens a door only to find a cupboard, laughs it off and then opens another door to find the killer standing there. What might have benefited is a reflection on what unfolds from a spiritual perspective. A black rosary is his calling card. After just skimming through the book I found that the story takes place in Detroit, Michigan. 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. If the rosary had stopped a serial killers rampage, how had I not heard that story before? Spirituality & Practice. The movie has a gritty, junkyard-dog look to it. This Hilarious Card Game Will Keep You In Holy Stitches (and Out of Confession)! One girl told Father Kerr that she believed she had survived because she had been praying her rosary during the attack. Posters are sourced from TMDb and Posteritati, and appear for you and visitors to your profile and content, depending on settings. The unlawful killing of another human being without justification or excuse. A priest is conflicted following a string of murders which target fellow priests and nuns in this dark mystery drama. However, if it is not true, we need to be clear on the facts. A killer of Detroit clergy confesses to a priest (Donald Sutherland), who turns sleuth because he cannot tell the police. Josef Sommer and Belinda Bauer offer able support. Co-Written by Elmore Leonard. Start Shopping. That night, then-Father (later Monsignor) William Kerr was called in to administer Last Rites to the victims. 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. 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. 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. Based on the William X. Kienzle mystery about a serial killer preying on nuns and priests. This 2009 blog post appears to have set in motion the crazy spread of this story across the blogosphere. He became an editor of MPLS Magazine in Minneapolis, later moving to Texas where he was director of the Center for Contemplative Studies at the University of Dallas. Very little of the film is actually shot in Detroit, except for the movie's opening chase scene. the rosary murders spoiler. Kienzle, whose first book, "The Rosary Murders," was made into a 1987 film starring Donald Sutherland as his protagonist priest, died Friday of a heart attack at his home in the. Donald Sutherland (Father Robert Koesler), Belinda Bauer (Pat Lennon), Charles Durning (Father Ted Neighbours), Josef Sommer (Lieutenant Koznicki). The Rosary Murders, first published in 1978, is coming to readers again. My dad's response to the librarian? Someone is murdering Detroits clergy. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. 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? I tried, but there were several stumbling blocks. Father Koesler wonders if he will be next. But he is bound by the churches vow of sanctity of the confessional not to break the seal of confession. ***SPOILERS*** Starting with the 40 day's of Lent on Ash Wednesday a series of murders occurred in and around this suburban Detroit church ,The Holy Redeemer, that has everyone, the public and police, shocked and puzzled to who would do such a thing. I had previously read all the other books in this series, but had somehow missed this one. It is entirely possible. behind the killers choice of victims. hope this doesn't awaken anything within me, i hadn't revisited this movie since then because it was simply not very good and that still holds true, but hey, i owe a lot to it an iconic moment from my recent personal lore. The Rosary Murders 1987 (R)Based on the William X. Kienzle mystery about a serial killer preying on nuns and priests. For example one of my favorite horror films is Alice Sweet Alice, I think The Exorcist is a well-written drama, and I lean towards the Italian films with spiritual or religious imagery. The great surprise about the film is some of the names behind it. Nevertheless, it does suffer from a dull script in places. Father Edward Killeen: Break the seal of confession, and you destroy the Church. Rated the #456 best film of 1987. The police seem powerless to stop the serial killer and the Church can't protect its . First of all, after leaving Chi Omega that night, Bundy went on to attack another girl, Cheryl Thomas (she survived), that night. Source for information on The Rosary Murders: VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever dictionary. However, he later retracted that part of the story, and the phrase mysterious force was never mentioned. Midsomer Murders S21E02 - The Miniature Murders - Part 01. 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. Copyright EpicPew. Leaving a rosary on the bodies of his victims the killer seems to be sending a message to what his motives are. 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. The director doesn't seem to have the temperament that's needed for a successful thriller, the plot moves slowly and monotonously, and the whole thing just plods on to an ending that fails to explain the killer's motivation satisfyingly. | Donald Sutherland is good, but he can't make this film worth seeing all by himself. The Rosary Murders Trailer 1987Director: Fred WaltonStarring: Addison Powell, Belinda Bauer, Donald Sutherland, James Murtaugh, John Danelle, Josef SommerOff. 'Evil' Finale Recap: Season 1, Episode 13 [Spoiler] Is . VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever. 1987 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. He had no actual intention of clearing up his wrong doings. However, in college a writing professor believed in him and helped him grow as a writer. 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. No name is ever given for this girl, so there is no way to verify her part in the story. Never thought the introspective drama portion of a Leonard crime story would be the part that most resonated with me. I was never bored during any of the times I watched this film. The World At War 1973. This is not Sutherland's best role because he is not given enough material to work with. This cozy mystery is fun, easily followed, and easily read. priest, confession [criminal], serial-killer, investigation, killing, nun, amateur, detective, investigator, murder, victim. It begins when Koesler, editor of a Detroit Catholic newspaper, agrees to help the police solve a bizarre murder mystery. 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. Co-written by Elmore Leonard and directed by Fred When A Stranger Calls Walton! Play Trailer; God works in mysterious ways. A priest is conflicted following a string of murders which target fellow priests and nuns in this dark mystery drama. So the author build up the story but then the ending was flat. One of the reasons I am giving this flick a solid six is because it attempted to confront these kinds of issues head-on, as well as other problems like overly focusing on sexuality in the American conservative churches to the point of insanity, and the mandatory celibacy of priests. As familiar as this plot is, it can all the same be done with intelligence and tension. It is based upon the 1979 novel of the same name by William X. Kienzle. "The Rosary Murders" uses the very familiar plot of a priest getting a confession from a criminal, but because the priest is bound by the seal of the confessional, he can't inform the police about what he knows. This inspired him to pursue writing and now he writes full-time. Not because of why he did it but because of the blunt statement made by the killer. "The Rosary Murders" is an instance of good writing matched by firm, understated direction and some splendid playing from a large cast. Rent this movie and see if you agree. A slow-boil thriller that has some great moments but kinda fizzles overall. A priest hears the confession of the man responsible for the murders of priests in Detroit, and due . I truly enjoyed the whole plot to the story. The Rosary Murders is an interesting little mystery-thriller with a solid premise and some spine chilling moments. However, because it did not appear in his story, he assumes he was not told about it. The original trailer in high definition of The Rosary Murders directed by Fred Walton and starring Donald Sutherland, Charles Durning, Belinda Bauer. But this book was a nice little mystery. Streaming on Roku. Father Koesler begins collaborating with the police but soon finds himself in a spot when the killer decides to choose him as confessor.Salvatore Santangelo (1987) A killer of Detroit clergy confesses to a priest (Donald Sutherland), who turns sleuth because he cannot tell the police. He also has two collections of poetry available on Amazon. Man works in the deadliest. Sure some things are dated, but it was politically correct at the time. The Rosary Murders is a 1987 American mystery crime film directed by Fred Walton and starring Donald Sutherland, Charles Durning, Belinda Bauer, and Josef Sommer.Its plot follows a series of gruesome murders occurring within a Detroit Roman Catholic parish. 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. Nothing amazing. Say three "Hail Marys" for Faith, Hope, and Charity. Production Company First Take Productions. Donald Sutherland Charles Durning Belinda Bauer Josef Sommer James Murtaugh Leila Danette Addison Powell Kathleen Tolan Tom Mardirosian Anita Barone John Danelle Anna Minot Lupe Ontiveros Roger Angelini B. Constance Barry Doris Biscoe Sandy Broad Keith Brooks Bethany Carpenter Joseph Conrad Richard Cottrell Bruce Economou Rex Everhart Lilian Ferguson Stefan Gierasch Harold Hansen Cordis Heard Robert Heller Jihmi Kennedy The Rosary Murders sees Donald Sutherland as a conflicted priest, investigating a serial killer of persons of the cloth. 105m/C VHS . Entertaining enough. A priest is put in a dilemma when the serial killer who has been murdering priests and nuns confesses to him. 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 director is Fred Walton whose line of genre films both before and since has only been routine. It was also made into a movie, with Donald Sutherland in the role of Father Koesler. 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. The biggest sit around and stare is when the real murderer kills two police officers and is wounded while our hero sits and stares into space as the killer finally gets up and runs away. ." This is the first in the Father Koesler series by the late William X. Kienzle. Film Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. Released August 28th, 1987, 'The Rosary Murders' stars Donald Sutherland, Charles Durning, Belinda Bauer, Josef Sommer The movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 45 min, and received a user score of 53 . 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