उपयोगकर्ता समीक्षाएं

Reviewers of the film are quick to undercut its actual effectiveness as a film without realizing that many parts of the film succeed, including the tension of the characters against the beast, the horror of the beasts' attacks, the helplessness of man within nature, etc. Reviewers would be accurate to attack the cheesy effects, hokey dialogue at times and overall loss on energy in the film toward the climax, but there's much more going on here.

Prophecy is, at best, a) a departure for John Frankenheimer, b) a 70's horror movie with a social conscience and, c) not withstanding amateurish special effects, predictable dialogue and long-view shots of Talia Shire looking petrified beyond speech, an actually entertaining, somewhat surprisingly satisfying film. The novel created an intelligent, often compelling case for early environmentalism and the frightening consequences of doing nothing in light of the dangerous contamination of the Earth. Prophecy as a film suffers from a deplorable special effects deficiancy (case in point: at one point in the film, the monster is clearly "walking" on the dock with the courtesy of a mechanical dolly and hydraulic levers...uggh) as said before, but looking beyond this, the film's plotline does build tension, though it loses steam in the end, concluding with a rather lamely tacked-on "surprise" ending that is more befitting of the TV networks in the 70's. Frankenheimer captures a "land-locked" Jaws-like eating machine on film with a vengeance, and the subsequent carnage is, while unfortunate, in light of the circumstances that created the beast, understandable. The focal point of the movie, the beast itself, operates as a deranged ecological locomotive ( actually sounding like one onfilm at times ) hell-bent on taxing mankind for its misfortune.

Remarkably ( and most likely accidentally) the film achieved a perfect "of the moment" time slice capture of the late 70's era, replete with the worries, political movements, ambiguities and uncertainties of the time all woven within the backstory of the Indian's struggle against the papermill, global overpopulation, bigotry and commercialization at the expense of nature.

Beautiful scenery ( courtesy of British Columbia, circa 1978/1979), believable performances, particularly from Richard Dysart and Armand Assanti, combined with circumstances and sequences never actually realized on film before combine to make a pretty meaty B movie. Case in point, the opening sequence with the dogs and the cliff, the tunnels of the Indian village and their subsequent use later in the film. I saw this film when I was 11, and the memory of the camping family and their fate in the film has YET to leave me. Don't think I've ever camped again without recalling that scene...

I recommend the film without taking it as seriously as it seems to take itself, though the message of environmentalism is one worth listening to. The plot device of methyl mercury poisoning in Minimata, Japan is based on true life actual events, and is considerably more frightening than the sum of this movie, but is worth researching sometime.

• Monstergarp

This film had the potential to be a rare echo-horror that actually tackled the subject of men tempering with nature. It was apparently inspired by a real environmental disaster in Japan and since it was directed by John Frankenheimmer, I was genuinely intrigued to check out this film that I had been dismissing for so long mainly because of the infamous exploding sleeping bag scene.

It starts out nicely with a violent sequence that proceeds to set up the main characters and plot; Native Americans are demonstrating against loggers working on a paper mill and taking away their land. The protagonist is a doctor who is called to the affair as an adviser and soon finds out that the plant is poisoning the water, the fish and the people who live of the land. To make matters worse there's something in the woods feeding on loggers and campers.

Now, I know this is a creature feature and the monster deserves a fair amount of screen time. It is kept in wraps throughout the film, making up for some genuinely suspenseful scenes. At first it's a mere side effect of the much bigger tragedy that the land and people are suffering. But by the end it takes over the movie, turning it into a gore fest and depriving it of its original atmosphere. All the subplots are dropped, characters vanished and the movie abruptly ends.

All in all, as far as echo-horror goes this is one of the most decent and fans of b movies will certainly be entertained. More stuff to look out for is the gorgeous Victoria Racimo, a young Armand Assante, those adorable mutated bear cubs and of course, the exploding sleeping bag scene.

"Prophecy" was released at the same general time as the popular "Alien" back in 1979. "Alien" was a fair hit at the box office (with a far better monster) while "Prophecy" didn't do very well, causing director John Frankenheimer to plummet into a depression.

I first saw the film as a kid because I was intrigued by the 15-foot grotesque monster. As it turned out, I thought the film was merely okay. I decided to see the picture again in the mid-90s and, I don't know if it was nostalgia, but I thoroughly enjoyed "Prophecy" as an adult. I've seen it a few times since then and enjoyed it every time. As far as comparing it to "Alien," I fully admit that "Alien" is technically a much better film and way more innovative & influential, but through the years I've seen "Prophecy" about twice as often as "Alien." This proves, if nothing else, that "Prophecy" has re-watchable merit.

THE STORY: There are problems in Maine (although the film was actually filmed in the Great Northwest) between the paper mill and the local Indians. The Natives argue that they are somehow being contaminated by the industry. Robert Foxworth and his pregnant mate Talia Shire fly up to investigate and discover that mercury poisoning from the mill is the problem. They witness a handful of loony, overgrown or hideously mutated animals that verify their findings, most notably a mutated grizzly bear that looks like it's been turned inside out (speaking of which, I didn't realize they had grizzly bears in Maine; although I suppose it could be a mutated overgrown black bear).

The tone of the story is completely serious so don't expect any camp like in the similar "Lake Placid." Robert Foxworth is excellent as the protagonist; I'm surprised he didn't have a more stellar career. Talia Shire ("Rocky"), the sister of Francis Ford Coppola, is meek and likable. Armand Assante ("Odyssey") is robust and determined as the Native protagonist and Victoria Racimo is fabulous as his wife (squaw?).

There are quite a few memorable scenes, like when the Natives block a forest road culminating in an intense stand-off with the paper mill personnel, chain saw and all. Another potent sequence is when Foxworth investigates the paper mill and has an intense discussion/argument with the mill boss. The manager powerfully points out that the mill simply provides what the consumers demand and that Foxworth's actual report is going to use up thousands of sheets of paper; hence, he shares responsibility.

BOTTOM LINE: For the first hour and 15 minutes or so "Prophecy" expertly unveils the mystery while capturing the viewers attention with mounting interest. It's the last 25 minutes where the film partially stumbles. The mutated creature is fully revealed and chases the group through the forests. There's a lot of running & screaming and many die. This should be a powerful pay-off but for some reason it's not. It's merely okay, and almost boring. Still, there are some memorable visuals, like the moonlit chase through the fog-laden lake.

"Prophecy" may not be great like "Jaws" or "Alien," but it's quite a bit better than flicks like "Grizzly."

I saw this picture on Betamax in '81 or '82 and it really got under my skin. Frankenheimer's monster movie is partly responsible for me getting into the business (along with Jaws, Alien, Raiders, Blade Runner, not that I'm really inviting such comparisons). I actually had occasion to have a smoke and chat briefly with Robert Foxworth about the making of the picture when I was grip on a made-for-TV suspense pic in Atlanta. He was approachable, friendly and enjoyed talking about that show. He said that they had lost a stunt driver, and narrowly escaped losing a cast member or two when their first construction truck/picture car (the 4wd monster truck our ensemble try to escape in) took a dive off a cliff. They had to scramble to find another one and finish the picture. RF also said that Frankenheimer was an accomplished chef and had occasionally treated the DP and Cast to gourmet meals.

Prophecy is now on DVD, presented the way it was originally shot. I think I bought my copy for less than $15. All of the criticisms of this film are true, and it does not belong in the first Frankenheimer potential box set with "The Train," "Manchurian Candidate," and "Seven Days in May." But with this marginal script and genre, bound together with a tired, preachy and inaccurate environmental message, Frankenheimer managed to put together a monster picture that has surprisingly stout legs. Remember, Paramount released this monster muppet against "Alien," arguably the best film of its kind ever made. The monster grizzly is enraged, frightening and unpredictable. It is key to the film's suspense. If the Emmerich/Devlin team gave 'Zilla the same qualities, suddenly that film is worth watching for more than the effects. Prophecy had virtually no effects by today's standards. They had to make up for this with shooting and editing; a.k.a. conventional, hand-crafted filmmaking. I may indeed be prejudiced, but I still like this movie with all of its problems.

Prophecy is one of those films I'd never heard of, went entirely under my radar. I can confidently say it has aged remarkably well and it's astonishing that it was made in the 1970's.

Starring Talia "Adriiiieeennne" Shire & Armand "One facial expression" Assante this tells the story of a doctor and his girlfriend who venture to the forests of Maine to bring peace between loggers and native Americans.

Trouble is something's out there killing folk and the loggers believe its the native Americans! Well it's not in fact it's a great big creature that I'm sure must have been Trey Parker & Matt Stones influence for South Parks very own Manbearpig. The likeness is truly uncanny.

Essentially a mystery film with a creature feature addition this is actually a perfectly watchable film and looks great. Practical effects, memorable story though a bit of a lackluster finale.

If you like your beastie films you can do worse and Al Gore is super serial about this one.

The Good:

Looks great

Manbearpig

An excellent though ridiculous death scene

The Bad:

Couple of weird writing decisions

Assante is just terrible

Lead was very lifeless as was Shire

I was rooting for the monster

Kind of an under-rated creature feature that is mostly forgotten and was poorly reviewed at the time of release. Coming after 'Jaws' and in the midst of the "pollution causes monsters" subgenre. In this one a doctor (Robert Foxworth) takes his wife (Talia Shire) to the Maine wilderness to collect samples to settle a dispute between a paper mill and the local Indian tribe. They stumble onto a series of mutated creatures and a web of deception designed to hide the true horror that stalks the woods.

This is a big budget B-movie that is expertly made. Director John Frankenheimer, always a professional, handles the material perfectly. The actors act their asses off and Leonard Rosenman's score is so intense that it is instrumental in creating much of the tension. There is some really smart writing and great scenes: a sequence where a family is killed in the forest is unexpected and shocking; an exposition scene involving a tape recorder is clever in its efficiency; some nice setups involving the wife being pregnant that are paid off nicely. Just watch all the cinematic tricks on display as a group of characters are hiding underground after a brutal attack. Not something you would get in a lesser film.

A main source of criticism seems to be the monster itself. Created by The Burman's Studio who did the effects for such classics as 'Planet of the Apes' and 'Star Kid.' The monster is a bit goofy but is mostly shot to hide that fact and is pretty effective. The parts where it's clearly a guy in a suit are silly to be fair, even though the creature is played by Kevin Peter Hall who would go on to be a different Predator a few years later. The monster in 'Prophecy' is fun and certainly not the worst ever committed to film. Another problem is the casting of non-Native American actors to play members of the Indian tribe. I mean Armand Assante, really?

So as Halloween approaches, I'll try to throw out some largely unseen horror films to add to the scares. 'Prophecy' is a good example of a slick monster movie, very well done by talented people in front of and behind the camera. It's not great but is more entertaining than it has any right to be. 7/10.

It did have its share of cheesy moments, but Prophecy is one of the best rampaging-mutant movies I've seen - and I've seen quite a few. Some users have complained that the terror shots are too few and far between, but this is an ancient and now-lost film-making technique called 'building suspense'. Personally, I think it enhanced the shock value of the monster (which, by the way, still manages to give me the occasional nightmare, even as I approach 30). The scene where Foxworth, speaking into a tape recorder as he puzzles out the environmental disaster, gradually realizes the nature and extent of what he's facing, is a true cinematic gem. If this were a 'serious' movie, it would have been worth of at least a nomination, and the chainsaw/axe duel is intense. However, horror movies rarely win awards.

I do laugh during the sleeping bag scene, though. Can't help myself. And the viewer can clearly see that the monster morphs from fifteen feet tall to eight feet tall when it goes from close-ups to action shots. The creature itself is terrifying, in my opinion. Anyone who can't suspend their disbelief enough to overlook a few flaws in the special effects techniques probably shouldn't be watching monster movies, anyway.

This is one of the prizes of my video collection, if I ever find it on DVD, I won't hesitate to add it to THAT collection, as well.

...... but the creature itself isn't half bad considering that this was made in 79'- pre CGI. The film has some great expansive wilderness scenery and an effective score by Leonard Rosenman. It has a great opening which in a sense promises more than the rest of the film delivers—quite plodding for the most part—but this is really a minor quibble. The acting is decent and there is enough tension generated by the opening sequence to keep ones interest throughout the proceedings.

There is minimal gore, but the tone of the film is relatively intense and serious, with a violent undercurrent that is more implied than expressive and adds to some well mounted terror sequences. The last half hour certainly isn't dull and is filmed with panache and a great deal of swampy atmosphere.

This is a very hard US PG rating (pre - PG13 days). A brief fight scene involving a chainsaw and an axe (although by no means graphic) is like something seen in a more exploitative hardcore action film. Had the film makers pushed a little stronger and bloodied a little more and went for an R' rating, this film may have become a minor horror classic considering the talent involved. As it stands, its still a hoot and well worth a mention in your DVD creature feature collection.

The Native Americans of Maine have been experiencing a rather high mortality rate with their children. Animals of all shapes and sizes are incredibly larger than they should be. A paper mill and these inhabitants have crossed swords to rid the area of the paper mill's influence and bring the land back to its original peoples. But fighting ensues, and the EPA gets involved by sending a doctor to help examine the problems of the area. What does he find? Some contaminants have caused the wildlife to mutate and create animal mutations that have become bloodthirsty, destructive, killing machines - in particular some huge bear-monster thing which we really never get a real close look at long enough to see just how bad the special effects really are. Prophecy is NOT a good movie but is entertaining to a degree. It has in the directorial helm one of the film's greats in John Frankenheimer. Frankenheimer usually is able to capture a very pervasive mood and create rich suspense and deep characters, but not in Prophecy. It looks like he has a real small budget - and it shows. The mutants are ridiculous(particularly the babies). The viewer that called them monster muppets is right on track with that observation. Muppets don't scare. Nor are they very credible. And that is just one of the major flaws of the film. If you cannot suspend disbelief enough to imagine what is going on the screen is even remotely plausible, then the film is going to have trouble working. That being said, some of the film is effective - particularly the scenes where the mutant is NOT shown like with the campers(almost not shown). Prophecy also suffers from some bad miscasting, not necessarily bad acting. Robert Foxworth is just downright annoying in the lead as some super liberal out to change the world according to his ideas. He is one-dimensional all the way. Talia Shire plays his wife and gives the film some much needed credibility both with her name and more importantly her performance. She was rather good. Richard Dysart also does a credible job in his role as the guy in charge of the paper mill's position. But the most laughable casting has Armand Assante playing a Native American in charge of the fight against the mill. Any of you buying Armand in this role? Not me! Prophecy is one of those horror films that wants you to believe that the message it has underscores all the lame special effects and other flaws. Sure, it has a message, but that does not excuse it from being bad. Let's not make it out to be more than what it really is: a cheaply-made, funny in ways it should not be, interesting horror film from that decade where films were made about anything - the 70's.

Maybe it's because the setting of the movie- New England- is where I spent many an idyllic vacation with my family, but to see this creepy-looking mutant bear running around in the forest is really terrifying. John Frankenheimer directs a nighmarish film that should not be seen alone.

I saw "Prophecy" on a double bill with the original "Friday the 13th," another bloody romp in the forest. The Jason film was second on the bill, and would've been unimpressive on its own, but was rendered especially impotent to this viewer after having all the bejeezus scared out of me by "Prophecy."

Highly recommended!

Prophecy (1979) is a movie I recently watched on Shudder. The storyline follows a health inspector who is sent to investigate a civil war between a logging company and the local Native Americans. It becomes apparent some experiments have taken place and something is in the woods...but what could it be? Whatever it is it is happy to consume anything it comes across.

This movie is directed by John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate) and stars Talia Shire (Rocky), Robert Foxworth (Transformers), Armand Assante (American Gangster), Richard Dysart (The Thing) and Victoria Racimo (Ernest Goes to Camp).

I loved that this movie takes place in Maine by Mount Katahdin, where I grew up. The settings are perfectly selected for the storyline and the old school logging process was interesting. The movie is a bit slow and it takes 57 minutes till the first kill but the special effects for the creatures are good. There's a sleeping bag scene in this that's a 100/10 and an absolutely must see. I cracked up so hard while watching it and must have rewound that scene and watched it 10 times. The cast is perfectly selected and seeing Adrian from Rocky in a horror was fun. Racimo is smoking hot in this and I adored the ending.

Overall this is far from a classic horror movie but it is a fun one. I would score this a 6.5/10 and strongly recommend it.

The idealistic Dr. Robert Verner (Robert Foxworth) is invited by his friend Vic to travel to the Maine with his wife Maggie (Talia Shire) working for the Environmental Protection Agency to prepare a report about the dispute between Indians "Opies" (meaning the original people) and the lumberjacks. Maggie is pregnant but she has not told to Robert since he does not want to have children. Robert and Maggie are welcomed by the director of the paper mill Bethel Isely (Richard Dysart) that drives them to their cabin in the woods. However they find an Indian blockage of the road and witness a conflict between the leader of the Opies John Hawks (Armand Assante) and Isely and his men.

On the next morning, Robert goes fishing and he sees a huge salmon in the river. Then they meet with John Hawk and his wife Ramona (Victoria Racimo) and they tell that their people are ill and most of their babies are born with deformation. They also hear about the legendary Katahdin and visit the Garden of Eden of the Opies, where Robert finds weird plants with roots on the surface and a huge tadpole. Robert continues to investigate and discovers that the industry is using methyl mercury in the process that is causing the mutagen in the environment.

"Prophecy" is a movie directed by John Frankenheimer with a lame ecological journey to the Garden of Eden of the original people. The politically correct idea of showing the pollution of a paper industry is one of the worst movies of this director. There is one specific scene that is ridiculous, when the boy that is camping is thrown to a tree. The conclusion is also terrible. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "A Semente do Diabo" ("The Seed of the Devil")

Note: On 08 April 2024, I saw this film again.

A mutated bear that looks like a hot dog cross-bred with a Teddy Ruxpin doll on steroids goes on a rampage.

I have such a fondness for this movie, one of the first horror movies I remember sitting through to completion as a kid. There's an awesome scene involving a sleeping bag.

Beautiful British Columbia scenery!

The prophecy is a classic late 70s creature feature, i like the look of the monster and i think the movie was made well.

I like the native american characters, they are entertaining to watch and they make the movie feel a little bit faster.

We don't see the monster before like 40 minutes in, i don't like that.

There's no on-screen kills that are memorable.

The movie starts pretty good and ends pretty good, the middle part is not as good as the start and ending and i think it's to much talking.

I like the lake setting, and i think it's well filmed.

A pretty entertaining movie and i recommend watching it if you have time. 🐻

When the credits rolled at the end of 'Prophecy' I literally had to think to myself what exactly I'd just watched. I know I've sat through numerous horror films over the years, but even the worst stayed in my head while I was reading who was in it. And, weirdly, 'Prophecy' wasn't that bad.

Trying my best to recall what I'd just witnessed, it's about a doctor and his wife who head out into the wilderness to - er - help something (or someone - like I say, details are already sketchy). There, they come up against angry Native Americans, shady businessmen and - of course - monsters.

Yeah, so that's about all I can remember. It's certainly not the worst horror film I've ever seen and the monster effects are passable. They're practically (naturally, for the era/budget) and if you feel the need to see another rubbery creature then you'll find a few here - although they mainly come at the end.

Yes, the end. It was the best part - I'm not just saying that to be deliberately harsh, but at least the final act moved a bit quicker than the rest. As I say, this isn't the worst horror film I've ever see and I believe - from what I've read online - it does have a reasonable 'cult following.' I guess it just didn't gel with me like other similar offerings.

Now this is what a monster movie should be like: an interesting story that doesn't rely on the creature to keep things moving along; realism wherever possible; a decent cast of B-movie types who you can play "who's gonna die next?" with.

Much of the success of PROPHECY lies in the presence of director John Frankenheimer, who brings a sheen of professionalism to the proceedings that many other minor monster flick directors can't hope to equal. This is a film which inhabits the same ecological disaster type territory as LONG WEEKEND and FROGS, and proves to be just as entertaining: the story of a mutated bear-creature rampaging in the woods as a result of industrial pollution is a good one, and PROPHECY never disappoints.

Along with the interesting story, this film benefits from a strong leading cast who bring life to what could be otherwise rote characters. Robert Foxworth is the bearded, wild-haired leading man, but Talia Shire (riding high from the success of ROCKY) is of the most interest, facing a dilemma that is irritatingly never resolved. Armand Assante plays perhaps the world's most unlikely Native American and Richard Dysart bags the great role of the company man responsible for the pollution.

The monster effects are great – I'll forever take prosthetic and model effects work over CGI – and the horror scenes ultra effective, with the bit with the boy in the sleeping bag an example of 'one seen, never forgotten'. The most chilling thing, though, is is the implication of the environmental pollution, as evinced by the film's coda, with far more disturbing implications than an in-your-face out of control rampaging bear mutant.

I'm in the process of re-watching some of the old horror movies I saw as a kid. I remember the boxes with the often lurid cover art standing by the VHS player, and I couldn't wait for the evening to come, so I could watch them. OK, despite the negative reviews this one has gotten, the first 3/4 works surprisingly well. It could have worked as a more low-key character drama with some environment, Indian myths superstition-elements. What drags the movie down is the mutant bear. Though probably OK by the standards then, it looks risible now. The last 1/4 collapses totally, and seems to have been quickly thrown together without any enthusiasm. The ending is very abrupt and leaves many question marks. It is as though Frankenheimer abandoned the movie altogether. What works is Leonard Rosenmanns score, the locations, photography and the overall fine acting. A pretty entertaining Sunday afternoon movie if you don't have too high demands.