THE ROSARY MURDERS
US, 1987, 105 minutes, Colour.
Donald Sutherland, Belinda Bauer, Charles Durning, Josef Sommer.
Directed by Fred Walton.
The Rosary Murders is based on a mystery thriller by William Kienzle, a former editor of the Detroit diocesan newspaper and a former priest, turned novelist. The novel and the film rely heavily on knowledge of Catholic ritual, especially Ash Wednesday and Lent to Good Friday.
Donald Sutherland portrays the priest involved in the murder investigation, especially through the seal of confession. However, Sutherland seems to be sleep-walking somewhat through the role. Belinda Bauer is the journalist investigating the case. Charles Durning is the parish priest - who becomes central to the murders.
The screenplay was written by thriller writer Elmore Leonard (Stick, 52 Pick-Up) and director Fred Walton (When a Stranger Calls, April Fools' Day).
The film is atmospheric, uses real churches and religious houses in Detroit, uses much of the ritual of the church and relies on audience knowledge of Lent and the Ten Commandments. While it seems far-fetched, especially as regards attitudes of sin and guilt, a Catholic audience will probably resonate quite well with the themes.
1. Interesting and enjoyable murder thriller? Catholic background?
2. Detroit locations, churches and buildings, streets? Atmospheric score? 'In Your Eyes' for the final credits?
3. The title and expectations, clues, the Rosary as symbol? The symbolism of the church: Ash Wednesday and the ashes, the beginning of Lent, Lenten penance, the Ten Commandments, the Good Friday ceremony?
4. Catholic themes; sin and guilt, suicide, incest, moral responsibility, confession, the seal of confession, the advice given in confession and the penances?
5. The victims: the priest in hospital, the nun who was about to leave the order, the priest in the confessional, the nun at the front door, the jogging priest, the nun who said prayers with the patient and over the microphone in the hospital, the priest giving communion to the sick, the contemplative nun, Father Nabors?
6. The murderer: the fact of the murders, his going to confession to Father Koesler, his daughter's death, Father Koesler continuing to get information, identifying her, discovery of the suicide, going to the cemetery, going to the house, the murderer? His malice? The question of incest? The portrait of his daughter. the going to confession to Father Nabors, the advice and the penance? Carrying the suicide note from his daughter?
7. Father Koesler as a priest, editor, working with Father Nabors, relating to the other priests, socially, religiously? The meeting with Pat Lennon, going out with her, working on the mystery? Father Nabors' sermon and his repeating the words? Going in to the confession. the murderer and his thinking he would be killed? His involvement in the investigation, going to the house and the murderer within, the cemetery and his naming the names? Collaboration with the police, not breaking the seal of confession? Asking the priest about the seal and the hypothetical communion case? Hearing Pat's confession? The names, the Ten Commandments? The Good Friday ceremony, the boy dropping the cross and the panic? The final confrontation with the murderer, Father Nabors? His death? Pat's return?
8. The sister and her vow of silence, her connection with the girl, giving of the information about the incest, her death?
9. Father Nabors and his tough attitudes, refusing the unmarried mother the baptism of her child, Father Koesler doing the baptism against Father Nabors' wishes? Confessions, the tough Lenten homily, his being scared at the ceremony, hit with the cross, the final confrontation and taking the murderer into his office, his fright? The fact that he had given the advice and the penance to the murderer?
10. The priests and their style, work, socials, drinking, seal of confession, the jogging priest, the pigheaded priest going on the communion round, priests being guarded against the murderer?
11. The police, searching for clues, the inspector and the investigation?
12. Detroit life, the church, newspapers, the police? The murder plot as interesting? Issues of guilt and responsibility?
