A New York detective investigates a series of murders committed by random New Yorkers who claim that "God told them to."
Director:
Writer:
Awards:
- 1 win & 3 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Tony Lo Bianco | ... |
Peter J. Nicholas
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| Deborah Raffin | ... |
Casey Forster
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| Sandy Dennis | ... |
Martha Nicholas
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| Sylvia Sidney | ... |
Elizabeth Mullin
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| Sam Levene | ... |
Everett Lukas
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| Robert Drivas | ... |
David Morten
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| Mike Kellin | ... |
Deputy Commissioner
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| Richard Lynch | ... |
Bernard Phillips
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| Sammy Williams | ... |
Harold Gorman
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Jo Flores Chase | ... |
Mrs. Gorman
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William Roerick | ... |
Richards
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Lester Rawlins | ... |
Board Chairman
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| Harry Bellaver | ... |
Cookie
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George Patterson | ... |
Zero
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Walter Steele | ... |
Junkie
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John Heffernan | ... |
Bramwell
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Alan Cauldwell | ... |
Bramwell as a Youth
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| Robert Nichols | ... |
Fletcher
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| Andy Kaufman | ... |
Police Assassin
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| Al Fann | ... |
Detective Squad
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| James Dixon | ... |
Detective Squad
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Bobby Ramsen | ... |
Detective Squad
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Peter Hock | ... |
Detective Squad
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| Alex Stevens | ... |
Detective Squad
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| Harry Madsen | ... |
Detective Squad
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| Randy Jurgensen | ... |
Detective Squad
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Sherry Steiner | ... |
Mrs. Phillips as a Girl
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James Dukas | ... |
Doorman
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| Mason Adams | ... |
Obstetrician
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William Bressant | ... |
Police Officer
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Armand Dahan | ... |
Fruit Vendor
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| Vida Taylor | ... |
Miss Mullin as a Girl
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Adrian James | ... |
Prostitute
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Lelia Martin | ... |
Nurse Jackson
(as Leila Martin)
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Michael Pendry | ... |
Attendant
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Dan Resin | ... |
Wall Street Executive
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Sandro Mancori | ... |
Wall Street Executive
(as Alexander Clark)
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Marvin Silbisher | ... |
Wall Street Executive
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Harry Eno | ... |
Medical Examiner
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Directed by
| Larry Cohen | ||
Written by
| Larry Cohen | ... | (original screenplay) |
Produced by
| Larry Cohen | ... | producer |
| Roger Corman | ... | distribution producer (uncredited) |
Music by
| Frank Cordell | ||
Cinematography by
| Paul Glickman | ... | (photographed by) |
Editing by
| Michael D. Corey | ... | (as Mike Corey) |
| Chris Lebenzon | ||
| Arthur Mandelberg | ||
| William J. Waters | ||
Editorial Department
| Michael John Bateman | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Sylvia Fay | ||
Makeup Department
| Steve Neill | ... | special makeup |
Sound Department
| Jeffrey L. Hayes | ... | sound (as Jeffrey Hayes) |
| Jane Landis | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Stefan Czapsky | ... | assistant camera |
| Coreydon Erickson | ... | key grip |
| Robert Geraldini | ... | chief electrician |
| Anthony Gonzalez | ... | key grip |
| Michel Grinbaum | ... | key grip |
| Janelle Webb | ... | still photographer (as Janelle Cohen) |
| Chris Balton | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Halston | ... | wardrobe: Miss Raffin |
Music Department
| Frank Cordell | ... | conductor (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Alan W. Bailey | ... | production assistant |
| Harry M. Brittenham | ... | production consultant |
| Reid Freeman | ... | production assistant |
| Fenton Hamilton | ... | production consultant |
| Carmen La Via | ... | talent advisor |
| Arnold Mack | ... | production assistant |
| Fifi Oscard | ... | talent advisor |
| Johnny Ramsen | ... | production assistant (as John Ramsen) |
| Peter Sabiston | ... | production consultant |
| Michael Veiner | ... | production consultant |
Thanks
| Bernard Herrmann | ... | dedicated to the memory of (as Mr. Bernard Herrmann) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- New World Pictures (1976) (United States) (theatrical)
- International Film Distributors (1976) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Premiere Releasing Organization (1976) (World-wide) (theatrical) (sales)
- New World Pictures (1977) (United States) (theatrical) (re-titled re-release, as 'Demon!')
- Seven Keys (1978) (Australia) (theatrical) (as 'Demon')
- Rush Distribution (1979) (France) (theatrical)
- Succéfilm AB (1982) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- CBS/Fox Home Video (1983) (Australia) (VHS) (as 'Demon')
- Image Entertainment (1990) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc) (for Nelson Entertainment)
- Charter Entertainment (1986) (United States) (VHS)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (1997) (United States) (VHS)
- Elite Entertainment (1997) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- Catcom Home Entertainment (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- Brentwood Home Video (2002) (United States) (DVD) (exclusively distributed by BCI Eclipse)
- Miracle Pictures (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- Blue Underground (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- St. Clair Vision (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Westlake Entertainment Group (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Treeline Films (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Flashback Home Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD) (for Stomp Visual)
- Stomp Visual (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
- Synergy Entertainment (2008) (United States) (DVD)
- Bach Films (2009) (France) (DVD)
- TGG Direct (2009) (United States) (DVD)
- The Criterion Channel (2021) (United States) (video) (streaming)
- Blue Underground (2015) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Blue Underground (2022) (United States) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- TVC Laboratories (dailies)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The storyline of this movie involves a series of motiveless murders committed by various New York residents: a sniper shoots people from a water tower; a father murders his entire family; and a cop opens fire during a St. Patrick's Day parade. The only consistent pattern to the crimes involves the perpetrators' calm admissions of guilt, explaining, "God told me to." While investigating the murders, Catholic police detective Peter Nicholas is increasingly troubled by evidence of a Christ-like figure named Bernard Phillips who appeared to each of the killers, and he can't shake the feeling that his own fate is somewhat linked to this mysterious being. As he comes closer to the truth, his worst fears are confirmed. Written by Ørnås |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Don't let it control you! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Box Office
| Budget | $300,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | According to Larry Cohen, during the St. Patrick's Day Parade scene, he was organizing the crew, only to see Andy Kaufman, dressed in his policeman's uniform, antagonizing and making faces at the crowd. Some of the crowd members then attempted to jump the barricades and beat Kaufman, and Cohen had to hold them back. See more » |
| Goofs | The final shot at the parade shows the parade continuing behind the lone body of the shooter, this after multiple cops had subdued him and surrounded the corpse. The body of a dead criminal would never have been left unattended for even a second, and a parade would certainly not continue after a massacre such as what had just occurred. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Mad Ron's Prevues from Hell (1987). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Sweet Momma Sweetlove See more » |
| Quotes |
Deputy Commissioner:
People who are too goddamned religious make a lot of trouble for everybody. See more » |