The steady accumulation of clues and evidence is interrupted only by an unsurprising (and unnecessary) romantic subplot, which happily compromises neither the mystery itself nor Sutherland's oath of celibacy. I should point out the movie has some strengths - for one thing, it does get you curious enough to want to find out how it will be wrapped up - but all the same the movie ends up being a somewhat unsatisfying viewing experience. best sustainable website design . You never get a sense that lives are on the line despite the escalating body count, and Donald Sutherland's does not seem to be going through the wringer. Part of the effectiveness here might well be the other surprise name on the credits Waltons co-writer Elmore Leonard. 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. 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. The police seem powerless to stop the serial killer and the Church can't protect its . | A detective story? 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. It is based upon the 1979 novel of the same name by William X. Kienzle. He does this in most of his films. Donald Sutherland plays Father Koesler, a sort of priest-turned-detective. Get this album or track at: 2:25. Start Shopping. I'd love to explain that in detail, but doing so would ruin part of the ending. "The Rosary Murders" is rated R for profanity and violence. This is not Sutherland's best role because he is not given enough material to work with. Still makes me laugh to this day. Directed by Fred Walton, from source material written by William X. Kienzie and adapted by Walton and Elmore Leonard, the film co-stars Charles Durning and Josef Sommer. He is abrupt and even down right tactless when dealing with his parishioners. It was assigned by a priest as a way of teaching teenagers, all born after Vatican II, something about the debate and divisions in the church because of the changes from that conclave. So, as you can guess, Koesler is a very troubled man. The story involves a series of murders associated with people in the catholic church, some laymen/laywomen while others are clergy. Donald Sutherland is a priest who becomes entangled in a series of murders where someone is offing nuns and priests. The classic film about a Detroit cop who goes to Beverly Hills, California to solve a crime. First time seeing this thanks to Kino's new bluray. Entertaining enough. William Kienzle wrote at least 20 mysteries featuring Father Bob Koessler. Everyone saw this charade for what it was, and the conversations ceased. Not only does she spend much of the CBS drama's finale worr Watch in SD. 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. Sem dvida, esta histria de detetive est entre as melhores que j li. That is plausible, but what I cannot accept is the assertion that a mysterious force prevented him from continuing his rampage. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. I realized later that this was the first book to a series of many books. Koznicki (Josef Sommer), the detective on the case, is not as concerned with the rules of the Catholic church, aiming to catch himself a killer. Retrieved February 24, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/rosary-murders. Discover Rosary Murders [Original Soundtrack] by Original Soundtrack released in 1993. As familiar as this plot is, it can all the same be done with intelligence and tension. It was also made into a movie, with Donald Sutherland in the role of Father Koesler. VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever. He had no actual intention of clearing up his wrong doings. 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. 7. What about the girl who was praying the rosary that night? 1987 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. 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. This will allow for a more in-depth discussion of the topic. 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. Detroit is plagued by a series of murders of priests and nuns, with each victim found holding a black rosary. 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. Synopsis: priests and nuns are his targets. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/rosary-murders, "The Rosary Murders Note: when I first wrote out "serial killer" I accidentally wrote "cereal killer" and that made me chuckle. Did she exist? 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. Yet, it's not as edgy as the central premise and everything outside of the main mystery just falls . However, I did make an effort to mention the names of the victims. The story, based on . The Rosary Murders is based on the 1979 novel of the same name by William X. Kienzle, a former priest turned crime novelist who married a newspaper reporter shortly after leaving the priesthood in 1974. 'Evil' Finale Recap: Season 1, Episode 13 [Spoiler] Is . Every time another worshiper dies, Koesler shares the responsibility but refuses to break his vows of secrecy. A sleepy and glum, but well-acted and rather moving thriller. The 2009 blog did originally mention something to the effect of Bundy said he could not continue the attack. Walton favours a bloodless approach and the film is often more spookier than a dozen others that do not. Copyright EpicPew. In The Rosary Murders, Detroit priests and nuns are being methodically murdered; all are found with a plain black rosary entwined . But in this particular telling, the results are kind of bland. Intriguing premise is let down by a flat, tedious script. Father Koesler wonders if he will be next. However, because it did not appear in his story, he assumes he was not told about it. Donald Sutherland is a priest faced with a dilemma, as he watches these people die. Father Robert Koesler: People are going to die. . I thought hard about not mentioning Ted Bundys name in this article and simply referring to him as the killer because Bundy had the personality that would have enjoyed the attention. VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever. 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 . The Rosary Murders, first published in 1978, is coming to readers again. Overview. I tried, but there were several stumbling blocks. "The Rosary Murders Subplot with a potential romantic interest for Sutherland is the worst. Co-written by Elmore Leonard and directed by Fred When A Stranger Calls Walton! (1987) A killer of Detroit clergy confesses to a priest (Donald Sutherland), who turns sleuth because he cannot tell the police. The case itself has some darkly salacious elements but the narrative still feels very, "TV movie of the week". Rent this movie and see if you agree. New TV Tonight You: Season 4 . The Rosary Murders 1987 (R)Based on the William X. Kienzle mystery about a serial killer preying on nuns and priests. Pull Yourself Together. Nabors: Charles Durning. And for all those musical savants, yes I am aware the music to \"In Your Eyes\" is an arrangement based on Brahms. The Rosary Murders was one of the first real adult suspense thrillers I ever read. Donald Sutherland plays Father Koesler, a sort of priest-turned-detective. 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. All victims are found with a black rosary in their hands. The murderer leaves behind a rosary. A serial killer targeting clergy confesses his crimes to a priest who may be his next victim. The Rosary Murders R , 1h 44m Mystery & Thriller; Directed By: Fred Walton . That night, then-Father (later Monsignor) William Kerr was called in to administer Last Rites to the victims. I recommend this any day of the week. His superiors - among them, the hard nosed, conservative Ted Nabors (Charles Durning) - believe that nothing can violate the sanctity of the confessional. Letterboxd Limited. 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. Bundy replied that he felt a mysterious force preventing him from entering her room. I truly enjoyed the whole plot to the story. 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. A killer of Detroit clergy confesses to a priest, who turns sleuth because he cannot tell the police. Its plot follows a series of gruesome murders occurring within a Detroit Roman Catholic parish. Some are splendid; some are average. 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. User Ratings But even Donald Sutherland and Charles Durning couldn't save this film. None of the other actors has much to do, and they all act accordingly, as though they really had better things to do. However, in the end, the movie is somewhat TOO calm in tone. The Rosary Murders is an extraordinarily good thriller. TMDb James Stewart was a second son of Lord Ochiltree [S]. If he did say that, we still should not believe the mysterious force part of the story simply because Bundy said it. Made by fans in Aotearoa New Zealand. With Donald Sutherland, Charles Durning, Belinda Bauer, Josef Sommer. The director is Fred Walton whose line of genre films both . While stuck in an internet rabbit hole, I stumbled onto a story I could not believe Ihad not heard before. 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. It begins when Koesler, editor of a Detroit Catholic newspaper, agrees to help the police solve a bizarre murder mystery. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by priest-turned-author William X. Kienzle. I couldn't be Bobby Laurels son and not know that. 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. They are funny and remind me of a precursor to Stephanie Plum. 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. ." Twitter Facebook Link Print. 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 . There is no justifiable way to conclude Bundy felt a mysterious force that night. 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