Prophecy

[Svanhof]

This is movie is quite perplexing yet funny, in that it makes no sense at all. The simple fact that a medical doctor, whos goal is saving the starving people in the poor quarters, gets dragged away from his noble cause to investigate a case about pollution in a forest beset by seemingly drunk indians sounds like a plot for a movie shown only after midnight on "The B-Movie Channel". Yet I've grown to like this film to some extent based on that fact that for all the weirdness and randomness thrown in, it IS funny. I literally laughed for most of the time when watching this s**tacular piece of cinematogrophy because of the stupid things it throws at the viewer with a perfectly serious manner.

Definetely worth a watch if you are bored and want a good laugh; but only if don't have anything better to do. Like brushing your teeth or something.

[Ryan P.]

I'm proud to have been scared s**tless by this movie.  I was 9 years old when I saw it and like the first post, I too lay frozen, sweaty and terrified in my bed for hours later that night.  In fact, I refused to be alone in a room for close to 2 years afterward.  As for camping?  Forget it about it!  True, as an adult, the movie is easy to mock - the finale strains credulity and some of the technical aspects are dated.  Setting that aside, it's undeniably entertaining and does have its moments  - the premise is fantastic and the opening death scene/montage, juxtaposed by Brahm's 4th symphony, is eerie and skillfully conceived.

Even though it traumatized my youth, I wouldn't change a thing for it sparked my imagination.  I've since gotten into creature design for film and PROPHECY is one of the reasons why.  Bless fx guys Tom and Ellis Burman, the late Stan Winston and sculptor James Kagel for creating a truly memorable, albeit flawed (At least it's not CG), movie monster!

Filmakers take note:  The book is great!  For those unsatisfied by this cinematic adaptation, there is still one helluva a monster movie that has yet to be made from the source material.

[Kooshmeister]

Filmakers take note:  The book is great!  For those unsatisfied by this cinematic adaptation, there is still one helluva a monster movie that has yet to be made from the source material.

What source material? Seltzer's book is a novelization of the movie. 

[Giant Claw Jr]

This has got to be one of the most stupid movie ever made and one of the most rediculous loking monsters ever made have you seen KILLER GRIZZLY? where CHRISTOPHER GEORGE blows a bear to smitherinies with a motar

[Gene]

I saw this in the theater in Junior high. I loved it then and I love it now.

[Ryan P.]

Kooshmeister,

You're right.  There IS a novelization, but it differs greatly from the movie... so much so, I'm baffled as to why they settled for what they did.  Example:  In the book, the murder of the camping family is totally different, and more effective, requiring equal to less special effects than what ended up on screen, which seemed lazy in comparison.  John Frankenheimer admits to not being 100% (due to his alcoholism) during the making of the film.

The book is a fun read.  Check it out.

[Ryan P.]

To Kooshmeister,

Going over some of the past posts, I see you DID read the book.  Good for you.  My point is:  What made it to the screen suffers in comparison to what is available in print and is worthy of a remake.  Since David Seltzer wrote both the screenplay and the novelization, he is "the source" of the idea, which only degraded in the collaborative hands of other party members - Frankenheimer, Paramount, etc.  Hell, Seltzer himself could direct the remake and retain what was lost.  He's directed his stuff before and could do it again (assuming he's still with us).

In addition, John Frankenheimer, the director, is qoted as saying after the fact, "It looked good on page."  He's admitting it was a lost translation.  So, let it be re-translated.  That way, in the future, we are given a viewers choice between a potentially good horror movie and another "SAW" sequel.

[Cowbella]

Wow, what a great movie for it's day. This movie was filmed mainly in my home town of Squamish, BC, Canada on the west coast ( not even close to Maine ) when I was a little kid. My neighbor was a mechanic and had that great old truck ( that rolled with the guy strapped on top ) in his driveway for about three weeks. We played in it and thought it was cool. Later I saw the movie and was done for. I was so freaked out at the thought of this thing being local and waiting in the bushes for me, I didn't sleep right for days. Damn funny looking back but not so funny at the time. I was traumatized for years because of this movie. I bug my kids about it now because their school gym was used to film some of the scenes in and they think that's funny. A horror movie filmed in their gym. They'll soon see this movie and that funny will turn to fear....ha ha haaa

[TooManyCustomers]

 This was the first horror movie I ever saw... My parents were really strict about what sorts of things we could watch but it came on HBO one summer afternoon.. Loved it, those mutated baby bears freaked me out for weeks.. Though it's lost much of it's punch (and the eco-righteousness is just laughable now) I still dig this movie from my youth..

*begins searching netflix*

[Trevor]

Not many actors in this film deserved their title, especially Maggie. They broke the mold when they made her, to make sure there weren't any more.

It's always the fat guy who gets hurt and needs to be carried ten miles through the wilderness.

How on earth did I miss these?