THE BELIEVERS
US, 1987, 114 minutes, Colour.
Martin Sheen, Helen Shaver, Harley Cross, Robert Loggia, Elizabeth Wilson, Harris Yulin, Richard Masur, Lee Richardson, Jimmy Smits.
Directed by John Schlesinger.
The Believers is an occult thriller of the mid-'80s. In content it seems more of a '70s film in the vein of Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist and The Omen and the many derivative films.
It is well done of its kind. It was directed by John Schlesinger who has an impressive number of films to his credit including Midnight Cowboy. There is an excellent role for Martin Sheen as the father (like Gregory Peck in The Omen) who is brought to the brink of killing his son.
Eerie special effects are employed for the exploration of black magic and the Cuban ancient religion blended with Christianity, Santeria.
Many critics dismissed the film as yet another occult film, perhaps expressing dislike of the genre. But, if the film is looked at on its own merits, it combines the mysterious occult with an atmosphere of realism. The film makes comment on New York City, its cosmopolitan nature, the religious beliefs in the cities and the consequences for the police.
1. An interesting film of the occult and religions? Contemporary story? In the tradition of other occult films?
2. The work of John Schlesinger, his films and observations of the United States? The New York atmosphere? Migrants, the police, crime? Religion, psychology and scepticism? Financial power?
3. The special effects, the editing for primitive religious, rituals, Santeria? Shocks and violence? The musical score and its variety?
4. The title of the original novel, 'The Religion'. Comparison with the film's title? The focus? The atmosphere of the cults with the ceremonies, Santeria? Children with the cult figures in the United States and the various other -incidents of child sacrifice?
5. The introduction to Cal, his jogging, ordinary family life, his wife and the breakfast, Chris and his slowness? The suddenness of the death with the electric shock? The effect on Cal and Chris? Having to cope?
6. Going to New York, Cal and his work of counselling the police, the session? The apartment, meeting Jessica with her eccentricity? Carmen and her looking after Chris? New life? in Central Park? The murder and Chris finding the shell? The interview with Marty (and his tricks and his willingness to help?
7. Jessica, her style, Cal and his seeing her, the lost purse, their relationship, sexual? Memory of his wife? Chris and his anger? Buying the toy and smashing it on the road, his running through the cars, Cal chasing it? His later reconciliation with Jessica?
8. Dennis and Kate, the long friendship, friendliness, the slide night and the memories of going to the Indian reservation, the memory of Cal's wife? Their care of Chris during the holiday? There memory of their being the young couple -in the credits? The power of Santeria, wanting Cal to become part of the religion? Kate and her charge of heart and her being killed?
10. McTaggert? as a New York cop, his style, his consulting Cal, going to the theatre and seeing the massacred boy, the effect on Tom Lopez and his holding the gun? Lopez and his fears? His escape? His pains and the snakes? The spells, killing in the diner? McTaggart? and his theories about Lopez? His friendship with Cal, his drinking, his Catholic background? His being under a Spell? Ringing Cal, his being unable to move in his own apartment? His threatening to kill himself and his act of contrition? Cal taking the gun? His misery as he took the other gun, and the police?
11. The film's introduction of Santeria and its traditions, Cal and his books, old gods turned into Christian saints? Carmen and her being a devotee, the spells and various objects to save Chris's life? Cal and his hostility towards them? His suspecting Carmen concerning Chris and firing her? Sezine and his fear? Interviewed by McTaggert? at the drug rehabilitation centre? Calder's party? The decision for Sezine? Cal and Jessica, Sezine, going through the Santeria ritual with its kneeling, blessings and the cock's blood poured over them?
12. Calder and his patronage, the fame and magazine covers, the party, meeting Cal and Jessica, the growing frenzy of the African man, Cal and Jessica leaving? The story of the death of his son? His friendship with Dennis and Kate? The truth about his power? His power for Cal to kill Chris? The pursuit to the factory? His taking Chris after the ceremony? The confrontation with Cal and his death? The various couples who had sacrificed their sons and their being present at the ritual?
13. Cal as a police psychologist, coping with his wife's death, friendship, to cope with the affair, Jessica? His concern about Tom Lopez and going to him at the diner? His support of McTaggert? The two dead bodies? The visit to Sezine, studying Santeria? Going to the party? His pleading with McTaggert? and sharing the act of contrition? Jessica and her illness? Going to Dennis's place, his being drugged, getting help, with the documents, the ritual and his killing Dennis, fighting, the confrontation, the Santeria shrines and Jessica's putting them in the barn?
14. The portrait of Chris, young child, love for his father, his mother's death, attitude's towards Jessica, friendship with Dennis and Kate, holiday and fishing? In the ritual? His luring the African to his death? The finale and the barbecue?
15. The African, the boy of the credits, his power, going through Customs, the rituals, his eyes, his frenzy at Calder's party, his killing Kate, taking Chris, the final confrontation and his death?
16. Marty and his friendship, his tricks, his helping Cal? observing the ritual, his death?
17. Jessica and her friendship, artwork, buying the toy for Chris, affair with Cal? Going to the party, the powder on her face? Participating in the ritual with Cal? Her growing ill, the spiders on her face? The irony of the ending and her shrine to protect them?
18. An effective thriller? Psychological and crime drama? Exploration of contemporary superstitions and religions?
