The Seventh Sign

THE SEVENTH SIGN
USA 1988

I tend to shy away from Biblical fanaticism, and stories related to it. I've seen a lot of stuff around the world, and if there is one thing we like to do, is to believe that if we think and accept the meanings of a famous book, then we are 'aligned'. To me, this is another form of social acceptance.

And then there is the remnant of the pagan religions which has been incorporated into the modern religion. The Apocalypse of John, is also found in several major magical rites, and has been a part of several processes of inner work of the spirit, the kind usually found as work of various magi and alchemists. As such, it is powerful stuff dealing with the further vestiges of the inner spirit, and its battle between mind and body. A clever writer, that called himself John, who had a good knowledge of the ancient arts, added the mystical knowledge into a religious format, which has, then, been looked at as something which refers to the end of the world, when in reality it is about the end of the EGO, and the portals for the godhead. It could be said that they are the seven tests we go through in perception to get to the desired place of inner growth.

But fear, fantasy, and superstition about every inch of the end of the world, has always been around, and since most people can not atone for their own mistakes, it is easier to believe an obscure writers notion that the world will end instead of setting about forgiving oneself, and accept the inevitable. And like the religious counterpart, there is always one megalomaniac who thinks he is above the laws of God and nature.

The Seventh Sign, is a film which tries to connect much to the seven signs of the apocalypse. And in doing so, it points one person as the ultimate sacrifice to undo the 'devil' or the one who set the whole thing in motion. And the real story is the ages old priest that wants his liberation, and does find it -- right -- in the body of the doctor that delivers the baby to the sacrificed mother. The camera makes sure we don't see his face, but it has given us many side shots, and back shots through out the film.

While the film is nice, and has a tendency to give us a desperate feeling, as soon as we know that the woman is trapped, and doomed, and she realizes it herself. And there are moments of time travel that are akin to the magical work, which gives us a hint of what is to come, and who is in charge. But it is only clear in the end.

Demi Moore is really good in this film, and I have come to like her work, she is very smooth, and not pretentious, in a role that is difficult once you know what has to happen. Most actors dread that part. Jurgen Prochnow, the 'slave' that has to carry out much of the dirty work to get the whole machinery to work, comes off a bit mysterious because he does not say much.

The music is by JACK NIETZCHE, who has been involved with a few other films that dealt with odd and magickal films. His other well known soundtrack, was PERFORMANCE, also a film that has much to share as to what is the good, and the bad. It does stand out, and many of the directing touches may be attributed to this man's knowledge, ability, or suggestions as to what to do with a camera, because many things are similar including the turn about sacrifice, which also happens in the other film. But we still don't have the assurance that the whole thing is over, only some of the principals have changed.

3 GIBLOONS

DIRECTOR: CARL SCHULTZ
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Juan Ruiz Anchia
CAST: Demi Moore, Michael Biehm, Peter Friedman, Jurgen Prochnow, Nanny Jacobs, John Heard
MUSIC: Jack Nietzsche
SUPER FEATURES: Well thought out story.

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