Did she exist? It's almost as visually dreary as "The Name of the Rose," but as your holy thrillers go, something of a Hail Mary. The Rosary Murders Trailer 1987Director: Fred WaltonStarring: Addison Powell, Belinda Bauer, Donald Sutherland, James Murtaugh, John Danelle, Josef SommerOff. 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. After just skimming through the book I found that the story takes place in Detroit, Michigan. It could have been just another routine shocker, but a clever script and some unusually taciturn direction turns the otherwise familiar material into a modest but intriguing whodunit (actually more a 'whydunit') set against the rituals and mysteries of the Catholic Church, always a reliable source of guilt and intrigue. I tried, but there were several stumbling blocks. A black rosary is his calling card. 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. ***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. It's full of old hoary clichs about the Catholic Church; full of unnecessary filler-type sub-plots; the main plot centres around a series of truly preposterous killings in which the names of the victims are related to the 10 Commandments (although in some cases, the link is pretty tenuous); the dialogue is awful (Elmore Leonard really had an off-day with this one); and the acting atrocious. It's like reading Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot - get in the spirit of the book. Someone is murdering Detroits clergy. I could definitely relate to this because I'm a lifelong Catholic. I was never bored during any of the times I watched this film. It's one of those progressive and morally hounded plots (from William X. Kienzle's novel), which is a puzzle to decipher, as you find yourself also personally getting involved with the brooding investigation with realistic characters. His superiors - among them, the hard nosed, conservative Ted Nabors (Charles Durning) - believe that nothing can violate the sanctity of the confessional. But the premise was interesting and I am looking forward to book 2 very soon. 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. It was also made into a movie, with Donald Sutherland in the role of Father Koesler. Then I started it, saw Elmore Leonard wrote the screenplay, and got more excited. Part of the effectiveness here might well be the other surprise name on the credits Waltons co-writer Elmore Leonard. It's a handsomely made film by Fred Walton (the OG When a Stranger Calls) and has a solid cast led by a fantastic Donald Sutherland. Sutherland knows who the killer is after the killer tells him during confession. Metacritic Reviews. Man, Oh Man, Catechism in a Year Podcast is Right Around the Corner! Overview. 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. This was a re-read. 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. The Rosary Murders "was William X. Kienzle's first Father Koesler mystery, published in 1978. So the author build up the story but then the ending was flat. This book is one of some twenty-four crime novels featuring Father Robert Koesler. I write for epicPew and have a masters degree in criminal justice. Second Story Priest. Although convoluted the plot is an interesting premise. What might have benefited is a reflection on what unfolds from a spiritual perspective. 518.210.3877. the rosary murders spoileranthony ryan patterson wife Northern Cross Vineyard After reading the alleged story, I shifted the focus of my Google searching. I like religious horror and giallos. I contacted Bill Zlatos, the Pittsburgh reporter who wrote the profile on Monsignor William Kerr, who said he probably would have used the mysterious force part of the story if he had heard it from Monsignor Kerr. Retrieved February 24, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/rosary-murders. 105m/C VHS . And yet his monastic muttering and moral puttering holds your interest somehow. That's not to say it's bad film, but it doesn't exactly keep you on the edge of your seatwhich a mystery ought to. Discover Rosary Murders [Original Soundtrack] by Original Soundtrack released in 1993. He was 73. (*1/2). It is a set-up that is pure Hitchcock in its subtly implied minimalism. 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. The case itself has some darkly salacious elements but the narrative still feels very, "TV movie of the week". However, in college a writing professor believed in him and helped him grow as a writer. behind the killers choice of victims. I strongly recommend skipping the last chapter all together. Sutherland's Koesler is a priest who would pique the pope -- a liberal, gentle loner whose temperament and leanings conflict with those of his blustering, narrow-minded superior Father Nabors, played curtly by Charles Durning. . Letterboxd Limited. Report this film. While the filmmakers of this murder mystery try their best to adapt William Kienzle's novel of the same name, the effort is sadly in vain for the majority. ." Father Robert Koesler: People are going to die. The Rosary Murders (1987) 16 08/28/1987 (US) Crime, Mystery, Thriller 1h 45m User Score. Production Company First Take Productions. Starring: Charles Durning, Donald Sutherland. Donald Sutherland plays Father Koesler, a sort of priest-turned-detective. 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 have yet to find an exception to this rule. He attacked four girls, killing two, Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy, and leaving Kathy Kleiner and Karen Chandler severely injured. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Ted Bundy did attack the Chi Omega Sorority House on January 15, 1978. I am willing to accept that one of the survivors believes she survived because she fell asleep holding her rosary that night. The Rosary Murders is the sole film in Fred Waltons oeuvre that stands out as being extremely good. A killer of Detroit clergy confesses to a priest, who turns sleuth because he cannot tell the police. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of serviceapply. 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. Rated the #456 best film of 1987. The murderer has confessed to him, and after a bit of amateur sleuthing he knows who it is. ." 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. Copyright EpicPew. While he was a good writer, this kind of story was not what he was good at. Watch in SD. They go out for a drink one evening and suddenly it's the next day over coffee at a nearby greasy spoon. 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 . 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. Now, no one but Sutherland, can give that blank stare so well. I mean, really. The director is Fred Walton whose line of genre films both before and since has only been routine. Josef Sommer and Belinda Bauer offer able support. But this book was a nice little mystery. | Furthermore, on the night of the attack, Father Kerr was indeed called to the sorority house that night, and later he was called in to be a spiritual advisor to Ted Bundy, a role he continued to do for years. However, Bundy did not request him specifically, and it is not known if Bundy knew Father Kerr was at the scene of the crime that night. //]]>. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. The Rosary Murders. Being that I am from Michigan this peaked my interest. If I had to look at Donald Sutherland one more time with his blank expression I thought I'd drop. This one was quite enjoyable. However, there was more than one survivor. The steps to praying the Rosary are: Make the Sign of the Cross and say the "Apostles' Creed". Every time another worshiper dies, Koesler shares the responsibility but refuses to break his vows of secrecy. Announce the First Mystery and then say the "Our Father". The murderer leaves behind a rosary. His interests include: Following hockey and Minnesota sports teams, Batman, detective stories, community theater, and improv. Is this a giallo? Also, Charles Durning is around to generally act exactly like we expect all Catholic priests of the Eighties to act. 1987 R Thriller. Father Koesler (Sutherland) must betray the confessional to stop him. Learn more. However, in the end, the movie is somewhat TOO calm in tone. Nabors: Charles Durning. Father Edward Killeen: You're saving souls Bob, not lives. I understand there are another twenty books in the series and if I can find them, I will definitely read them. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. A slow-boil thriller that has some great moments but kinda fizzles overall. The Rosary Murders, first published in 1978, is coming to readers again. 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. No expression so you had no idea where the film was going. Donald Sutherland (Father Robert Koesler), Belinda Bauer (Pat Lennon), Charles Durning (Father Ted Neighbours), Josef Sommer (Lieutenant Koznicki). TMDb 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. Say the "Our Father". It is entirely possible. The Rosary Murders is an interesting little mystery-thriller with a solid premise and some spine chilling moments. 05/21/2022. Filmed on location in Detroit. 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. Still makes me laugh to this day. The Rosary Murders was one of the first real adult suspense thrillers I ever read. 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. Mobilesite. A great premise but ultimately a bit of a snooze. This cozy mystery is fun, easily followed, and easily read. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. | Synopsis: priests and nuns are his targets. He struggles with his conscience as he searches for the identity of the killer and tries to find a way to stop him. The great surprise about the film is some of the names behind it. First time seeing this thanks to Kino's new bluray. I understood the references to Vatican II & how it changed the Church (especially in the late 1960s & 1970s). He lied and played games during those conversations. The Rosary Murders. Get this album or track at: 2:25. FAQ He killed two girls and only one girl in the house was left unscathed. 59:00. It does the Faith no good if false stories are being circulated to promote the Faith. So, as you can guess, Koesler is a very troubled man. This book did a good job weaving all the pieces of a complex murder mystery together -- until the last chapter. Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. Filmed on location in Detroit. Man works in the deadliest. A priest is called to the confessional from his quarters in the church. The violence happened mostly off-screen, but managed to leave a chilling mark and the Detroit setting complements the weary imprint. Through the book I found that the story but then the ending was flat co-writer Elmore Leonard:., Batman, detective stories, community theater, and improv to those guidelines when your... & quot ; Our Father & quot ; was William X. Kienzle & # x27 s. Site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of serviceapply all pieces. 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