His favorite branch of theology is angelology. Some blogs that mention this story include an Associated Press attribution which is blatantly false. 1h 41m Synopsis. In "The Rosary Murders" priests and nuns are getting knocked off and the only person who knows who the culprit is, is priest Donald Sutherland. A priest is conflicted following a string of murders which target fellow priests and nuns in this dark mystery drama. Father Edward Killeen: You're saving souls Bob, not lives. During their visit, Father Kerr asked Bundy why he did not kill the survivor. Leaving a rosary on the bodies of his victims the killer seems to be sending a message to what his motives are. This is an oldie, but I really enjoyed it--especially all of the details about the Detroit area. It's one of those progressive and morally hounded plots (from William X. Kienzle's novel), which is a puzzle to decipher, as you find yourself also personally getting involved with the brooding investigation with realistic characters. I have yet to find an exception to this rule. me on june 25th, 2021 naively watching invasion of the body snatchers and the rosary murders in rapid succession, thereby becoming aware of both malewife and hot priest iterations of sutherland within 24 hours of eachother: huh! Fairly standard yet still luridly fun, with a twist that doesnt feel too far off from being an American answer to WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE?. However, if it is not true, we need to be clear on the facts. It is based upon the 1979 novel of the same name by William X. Kienzle.Kienzle received screenplay credit, as did Elmore Leonard. The Rosary Murders was named one of the top twenty-five mysteries of the twentieth century in spring 2000 by the Chicago Sun-Times. Show All I strongly recommend skipping the last chapter all together. However, none of the legitimate websites where one would expect to find this story mentioned, leading me to question its validity. Joseph Somer gives a fine performance as the police detective who knows that Father Koesler (Sutherland) knows something but also realizes he cannot compel him to share the knowledge. The Rosary Murders is a 1987 American mystery crime film directed by Fred Walton and starring Donald Sutherland, Charles Durning, Belinda Bauer, and Josef Sommer. A killer of Detroit clergy confesses to a priest, who turns sleuth because he cannot tell the police. It was little seen when it came out and sadly its profile has not substantially changed since then, although it is eminently deservous of much greater recognition. On January 13, 1978 Ted Bundy broke into the Chi Omega Sorority House on the campus of Florida State University and went on a rampage. However, the date of retrieval is often important. We ought to be giving more attention to the victims of horrendous crimes and not those who perpetrate those crimes. He was constantly staring into space. Now, no one but Sutherland, can give that blank stare so well. Starring: Charles Durning, Donald Sutherland. Later in the movie he makes himself and is motives known during confession to father Robert Koesler, Donald Sutherland.Three years ago his 16 year old daughter was killed and the murderer is holding the church and it's priests and nuns responsible for her death and now is exacting vengeance on them. Nabors: Charles Durning. (1987) A killer of Detroit clergy confesses to a priest (Donald Sutherland), who turns sleuth because he cannot tell the police. The story, scripted by thriller author Elmore Leonard and director Fred Walton, tippy-toes around the subject of our hero's celibacy with implications about his relationship with a Detroit Free Press reporter. They go out for a drink one evening and suddenly it's the next day over coffee at a nearby greasy spoon. Acclaimed screenwriter Elmore Leonard and director Fred Walton adapted the book for the screen. Donald Sutherland is a Detroit priest who hears the confession of a serial killer with a grudge against the clergy, and is later forced by the ethics of his vocation to (reluctantly) hunt down the murderer himself, unearthing a spine-chilling string of motivation behind each new death. Rent this movie and see if you agree. Father Robert Koesler: People are going to die. In this film, which Fred Walton has directed and co-written with Elmore Leonard, Donald Sutherland stars as a liberal priest who gets involved in a . Pull Yourself Together. Although convoluted the plot is an interesting premise. This presents a moral quandary for Father Koesler: does he remain silent after being forced to absolve a killer for his heinous sins, or does he turn his back on his sworn duty as a priest and reveal what he knows about the killer to the authorities? So, as you can guess, Koesler is a very troubled man. This will allow for a more in-depth discussion of the topic. Not because of why he did it but because of the blunt statement made by the killer. Some of the scheming is a bit hard to swallow, but for most part it's smartly penned (by Elmore Leonard and Fred Walton) and the low-key approach seems to make you concentrate on the lyrical waxing (especially on those commitments to the priesthood and the self-doubting). I understand there are another twenty books in the series and if I can find them, I will definitely read them. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. I know this is written by a former priest, but I don't understand why the priests in the book have so much swearing and taking God's name in vain and constant sexually dirty jokes. Then, after he was arrested, Ted Bundy asked Father Kerr to be his spiritual advisor in prison. She was following through on that promise when Bundy attacked. Two wonderful stars! The Associated Press did not write about this story and to insinuate otherwise adds fuel to fire of the negative opinions of those on the Snopes forum. That's not to say it's bad film, but it doesn't exactly keep you on the edge of your seatwhich a mystery ought to. Being someone who is not religious I could not get into that part of the plot at all. Say the "Our Father". This cozy mystery is fun, easily followed, and easily read. IMDb Did she exist? Please consider upgrading to a Pro accountfor less than a couple bucks a month, youll get cool additional features like all-time and annual stats pages (example), the ability to select (and filter by) your favorite streaming services, and no ads! There are two versions of the story, and I will relate the most fantastic version of the two. The next mention was a third-hand account on a blog in 2009. The great surprise about the film is some of the names behind it. He also has two collections of poetry available on Amazon. I believe this was his first novel too. Furthermore, if Bundy did make that claim, this would have been a more well-known story. Not really a fault of the movie, just church law. ." Don Lessnau Mara Lpez Mark Margolis Robert C. Maxwell Sheldon Miller Joel Nash Ed Oldani Burt Pearson Sam Pollack David Regal Ed Ruffalo Edward Seamon Janet M. Smith Peter Van Norden Josephine Vassalo Jo Mullin White Dennis Wrosch Jeffrey R. Dolan Georgine Hall Michael Mili Jack White, Elmore Leonard Fred Walton William X. Kienzle, 105mins Based on the William X. Kienzle mystery about a serial killer preying on nuns and priests. This 1987 movie was just awful. It read well, kept my interest and was pretty well written. No expression so you had no idea where the film was going. I write for epicPew and have a masters degree in criminal justice. The story involves a series of murders associated with people in the catholic church, some laymen/laywomen while others are clergy. Intriguing premise is let down by a flat, tedious script. 105m/C VHS . It's a handsomely made film by Fred Walton (the OG When a Stranger Calls) and has a solid cast led by a fantastic Donald Sutherland. Ted Bundy killed Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy and injured Kathy Kleiner and Karen Chandler at the Chi Omega Sorority House on January 15, 1978. The police don't have a clue, but Father Koesler sees a pattern. I found that funny because the book cover has a dead woman in a bathtub..it doesn't show anything vital, but the naked is implied. "The Rosary Murders" is rated R for profanity and violence. This Hilarious Card Game Will Keep You In Holy Stitches (and Out of Confession)! The story involves a series of murders associated with people in the catholic church, some laymen/laywomen while others are clergy. But he is bound by the churches vow of sanctity of the confessional not to break the seal of confession. This book is one of some twenty-four crime novels featuring Father Robert Koesler. Book Review: The Rosary Girls by Richard Montanari #bookreview. It is based upon the 1979 novel of the same name by William X. Kienzle. Even after the deranged individual responsible for these crimes confesses in church, the priest remains determined to find out who he is and why he is leaving a black rosary wrapped around the hand of each victim. FAQ It was a sorority house. A black rosary is his calling card. Report this film. Tv shows. Let us know! A priest is put in a dilemma when the serial killer who has been murdering priests and nuns confesses to him. If Bundy did Monsignor Kerr about a mysterious force, it should be assumed he did so simply to mess with him. MlH Of Series Channel. Genres: Thriller, Mystery. There's quite a large alumni group of us out there. | I fail to see this guy's acting abilities. What might have benefited is a reflection on what unfolds from a spiritual perspective. I contacted Bill Zlatos, the Pittsburgh reporter who wrote the profile on Monsignor William Kerr, who said he probably would have used the mysterious force part of the story if he had heard it from Monsignor Kerr. The Rosary Murders is the sole film in Fred Waltons oeuvre that stands out as being extremely good. Duration. After just skimming through the book I found that the story takes place in Detroit, Michigan. Get this album or track at: 2:29. This was a re-read. When the killer explains why he did it I started laughing. :). Truthfully, the mystery angle is by far the least interesting part of the movie, and once it takes over the narrative my attention waned. The late hour of the attack leads credibility to the assertion she fell asleep. A couple good startling moments break the dullness though. First of all, if it is true, we should be shouting it from the rooftops! None of the other actors has much to do, and they all act accordingly, as though they really had better things to do. Walton came to attention with the slasher film When a Stranger Calls (1979) and went onto make April Fools Day (1986) and Dead Air (1994) and a host of made-for-tv movies including the likes of I Saw What You Did (1988), Trapped (1989), Homewrecker (1992), When a Stranger Calls Back (1993) and The Stepford Husbands (1996). Pat: Belinda Bauer. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/rosary-murders, "The Rosary Murders It is entirely possible. "The Rosary Murders The second victim is a colleague of Father Bob Koesler. I should point out the movie has some strengths - for one thing, it does get you curious enough to want to find out how it will be wrapped up - but all the same the movie ends up being a somewhat unsatisfying viewing experience. I'm going to Hell now, I know it. Source for information on The Rosary Murders: VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever dictionary. One girl told Father Kerr that she believed she had survived because she had been praying her rosary during the attack. Filmed on location in Detroit. Directed by Fred Walton and adapted from a novel by William X. Kiensle, it basically was a combination of the director and his actors that made this terrible. In The Rosary Murders, Detroit priests and nuns are being methodically murdered; all are found with a plain black rosary entwined . However, because it did not appear in his story, he assumes he was not told about it. Director Fred Walton, Screenplay Fred Walton & Elmore Leonard, Based on the Novel by William Kienzle, Producer Robert G. Laurel, Photography David Golia, Music Bobby Laurel & Don Sebesky, Special Effects Rick Josephson. His interests include: Following hockey and Minnesota sports teams, Batman, detective stories, community theater, and improv. Encyclopedia.com. 105m/C VHS . The murder of Sister Ann Vanya is conveyed with a remarkable minimalism all shot facing the wall of her dormitory block where the window of her room lights up, her shadow is seen passing in front of it, followed by a second shadow; fade out and fade in again the next morning showing hers is the only window still lit. California, Connecticut, Colorado, Utah & Virginia Residents Only: To opt out of selling or sharing/processing for targeted advertising of information such as cookies and device identifiers processed for targeted ads (as defined by law) and related purposes for this site/app on this browser/device, switch this toggle to off (grey color) by moving it left and clicking "Confirm My Choice" below. That night, then-Father (later Monsignor) William Kerr was called in to administer Last Rites to the victims. Donald Sutherland with short hair = bad movie. As the bodies start to pile up, Detectives Koznicki and Harris turn to one of the Motor Citys priests, Father Robert Koesler, for help. Father Koesler begins collaborating with the police but soon finds himself in a spot when the killer decides to choose him as confessor.Salvatore Santangelo "The Rosary Murders" is based on a neo-noir novel by William X. Kienzle who was a real catholic priest. After a black rosary is found at the scene on the body of those who have been murdered, Father Robert Koesler (Donald Sutherland) hears a confession for the crimes from the other end of a partition. I realized later that this was the first book to a series of many books. For an example of this, check out the forum on Snopes with regards to this story. The Rosary Murders is based on the 1979 novel of the same name by William X. Kienzle, a former priest turned crime novelist who married a newspaper reporter shortly after leaving the priesthood in 1974. Say ten "Hail Marys" while meditating on the Mystery. Two stalwart figure heads; an impressive Donald Sutherland and equally so Charles Durning are engagingly strong. Everyone saw this charade for what it was, and the conversations ceased. A priest is torn between confidentiality and justice when a serial killer confesses that he's murdered priests and nuns, leaving rosaries as clues. Ultimately, I decided that, because Bundy is no longer alive to enjoy the attention and his name is mentioned in the articles I havelinked to in this post, there would be little point omitting his name. While the filmmakers of this murder mystery try their best to adapt William Kienzle's novel of the same name, the effort is sadly in vain for the majority. The 2009 blog did originally mention something to the effect of Bundy said he could not continue the attack. In The Rosary Murders, Detroit priests and nuns are being methodically murdered; all are found with a plain black rosary entwined . Nothing amazing. Far more compelling is Sutherland grappling with his faith, and the limitations of his calling. It was assigned by a priest as a way of teaching teenagers, all born after Vatican II, something about the debate and divisions in the church because of the changes from that conclave. His only prayer -- to learn how the maniac chooses his victims. 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