It was published in 2000 and is an American-made television horror movie. Steven E. de Souza, who also wrote the screenplay with Michael Lazarou, directed and produced the movie. The primary actor in the movie was Timothy Dalton. The book Possessed by Thomas B. Allen served as the source of inspiration for the movie. The events depicted in the movie are quite close to those detailed in the book. The exorcism of Roland Doe also served as inspiration for the book’s author. In 2001, the USA also saw the release of the movie on DVD.
Storyline
William S. Bowdern is recognized as a veteran of World War Two. He appears to be profoundly impacted by the horrific event that occurred to him on All Saints Day in France in 1944. The opening scene would serve as a flashback for the audience as he thinks of attempting to flee a Nazi onslaught while Schutzstaffel soldiers kill wounded American soldiers. When a wounded soldier summons Bowdern, the priest, so that he might perform last rites for him, he flatly declines it since he believed he would be able to flee. He reconsiders the situation and decides to perform his job, but an SS trooper bayonets him as a result. Later on, he develops into an alcoholic who is tortured by his wounds and is overcome with intense remorse for not being able to fulfill a dying man’s final request.
Later on, at St. Louis University, he may be seen instructing his pupils. After the lesson, an irate crowd breaks the windows of the classroom. He notices a protest against the school’s most recent racial integration when he leaves. When the police show up, he requests that they take the protesters into custody; nevertheless, they take the students into custody. This enrages him, and he violently assaults the officers, who then take him into custody. For the purpose of demonstrating where the church throws hopeless alcoholics and mentally sick individuals, his father posts his bail and transports him to the Alexian Brothers Hospital.
While his aunt Hanna teaches him how to communicate with the spirit realm, Robbie Mannheim is seen sitting with her. Robbie’s mother abruptly spots them on the Ouija board. She chastises his aunt Hanna for failing to heed her advice and for disclosing such concepts to Robbie. On the other side, Robbie relishes the interaction and defies his mother’s orders.
Cast and Characters
Fr. William S. Bowdern, played by Timothy Dalton, was the main character. Fr. Raymond McBride was portrayed by Henry Czerny and Frs. Robbie and Karl Mannheim by Jonathan Malen and Michael Rhoades, respectively. Christopher Plummer played Archbishop Hume. Piper Laurie played Aunt Hanna. Richard Waugh played Reverend Eckhardt. and Michael McLachlan played Fr. Walter Halloran.
Review
In essence, the film is a fictionalized version of Possession. That continues to be closer to the truth. It has a fantastic cast that addresses the subject logically and with a lot of grace. The absence of the classic horror atmosphere at the beginning of the movie also makes it more believable to see.