Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Prophecy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 17, 2019

The intent of 1979’s “Prophecy” is to generate awareness of environmental damage, with “The Omen” screenwriter David Seltzer returning to horror to help inspire an understanding of industrial pollution, using the threat of a mutated bear running wild to ease viewers into the writing’s message. What director John Frankenheimer ultimately offers with “Prophecy” is a B-movie filled with lackluster special effects and a confused sense of thematic importance. It’s not a messy film, more of a non-starter, with Seltzer’s ideas hammered into place by Frankenheimer, who brings in a capable cast, an important subject, and gorgeous Canadian locations, only to tank the entire endeavor through editorial inertia and a climatic monster that should inspire a complex range of emotions, but only triggers unintended laughs.

A social worker trying to make a difference against impossible odds in the inner city, Dr. Robert (Robert Foxworth) is offered a job by the EPA to visit a Maine river community, where the Native American population, led by John (Armand Assante), is trying to disrupt a logging company they claim is dumping chemicals in the water. Chasing the clues, Dr. Robert brings wife Maggie (Talia Shire) with him, although she’s struggling with news of a pregnancy, uncertain about her future. Discovering evidence mutation in the local woodland creatures, Dr. Robert confronts mill rep Bethel (Richard A. Dysart) with questions, only to discover a greater threat in the darkness, with an enormous, aggressive mutated bear on the loose, ready to devour human trespassers.

“Prophecy” has its heart in the right place, taking a look at the issues surrounding industrial waste and corporate greed, with the logging operation up to no good, finding Bethel evasive when it comes to providing answers to simple questions. He’s quick to demonize the Native Americans as well, defining their rebellion as criminal. Early scenes do manage to sell the concept of Dr. Robert’s concern and the growing illness of the land, hinting at a rather enlightened genre film to come, with Seltzer clearly aiming to explore ecological destruction under the guise of progress, keeping Bethel surly and the visitors concerned. Perhaps it’s all a bit simplistic, but it connects as storytelling, giving “Prophecy” compelling conflict, performed by an engaged cast. Once the special effects show up, the feature starts to fumble, with Frankenheimer unable to sell the horror of a raccoon attack that rattles Dr. Robert and Maggie, and offerings of mutated animals aren’t gifted technical polish, making the picture look silly as focused actors try to sell the anguish of wet, stiffly puppeted rubber critters.

Prophecy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Prophecy" is engaging throughout, offering compelling clarity for the 1979 endeavor. Detail is consistent, emerging from costuming and facial particulars, along with creature events, including the climatic reveal of the bloodied bear. Locations retain dimension, making for expansive trips into the wild. Colors are satisfactory, leading with substantial greenery and woodsy interiors, while earth tones are capable throughout. Period outfits offer some pronounced hues. Delineation is comfortable, preserving evening encounters. Source is in fine shape, with some mild speckling and periodic debris.

Prophecy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix comes through with authority, leading with Leonard Roseman's confident score, which delivers precise instrumentation and dramatic support. Dialogue exchanges are intact, with crisp performances. Atmospherics are aggressive at times, dealing with the industrial activity that hits a few crackly highs. Sound effects register as intended, with heavier growls and clear whimpering.

Prophecy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "All of Our Sins" (18:59, HD) is an interview with Talia Shire, who recalls her initial meeting with director John Frankenheimer, who was very interested in working with the "Rocky" star. Shire is a little scattered here, but she recounts Frankenheimer's technique and on-set attitude, lovingly remembers her co-stars, and details her work to learn basic cello moves to help pass as a concert musician. The interviewee goes into her feelings about the film's environmental message, sharing a reaction to her time inside a paper mill, but she's also honest about the terrible mutated bear suit, realizing it destroyed the movie's intent. Shire discusses her work with the bear cub puppets, time inside a studio water tank for the picture's finale, and screenwriter David Seltzer's themes, with most never properly realized onscreen. She also admits she's never seen "Prophecy," but recalls the making of it clearly.

• "Bearing Up" (10:02, HD) is a chat with Robert Foxworth, who recounts his audition for Frankenheimer and his response to the ecological ruin theme of "Prophecy." While Foxworth is diplomatic when it comes to describing his feelings about the movie, he's clear the mutated bear hurt the feature immensely, with the material unable to overcome such a poor creation. The interviewee shares insight into Frankenheimer's shortcomings as a director, and happily recounts time spent with his co-stars during the Canadian shoot. Foxworth closes the conversation by reinforcing the writing's themes, clarifying how the intent of "Prophecy" was initially pure.

• "Bear and Grin It" (13:14, HD) sits down with screenwriter David Seltzer, who offers outstanding candor when discussing his work on "Prophecy," and there's even an "opinions do not reflect" warning before the chat, so you know it's going to be great. Seltzer shares his initial enthusiasm for the project, even writing the tie-in book, but all was not well with the shoot, as the writer (who was on-set before being kicked off) clashed repeatedly with Frankenheimer. Seltzer pins such bad conduct on the director's alcoholism and his unfiltered ego, creating trouble for the screenwriter. The interviewee lays into the bear costume as well, admitting extreme disappointment with almost everything the production was delivering, even choosing to "erase" the film from his memory. Seltzer also shares an amusing anecdote about his use of a made-up native language in "Prophecy." This is an amazing conversation.

• "Hard to Bear" (19:34, HD) is an illuminating chat with special effects wizard Tom Burman, who knew he had a challenge on "Prophecy" when he accepted a job nobody else would take, handed very little time to complete the work. In charge of fixing the original "ridiculous" design for the climatic monster, Burman worked to make something frightening out of the mutated creature, which was nicknamed "Pizza Bear." On-set challenges were numerous, including putting the monster in water, but Burman shares praise for Pizza Bear performers Tom McLoughlin and Kevin Peter Hall. Details on production mishaps are shared, and while Burman was delighted to attend the L.A. premiere of "Prophecy," he was enraged when members of Rick Baker's company slipped into the screening to heckle the special effects, ruining the evening. Burman's blood still boils at the memory of such cruel sabotage.

• "Prophecy Prodigy" (21:14, HD) discusses the movie with make-up artist Allan Apone, who began his career in Burman's studio, learning the business as he went along. Apone lists the creatures he was in charge of operating, and shares his relatively peaceful experience with Frankenheimer, with "Prophecy" a major learning experience for the young man. Tales concerning trial and error, working on the Paramount lot, and time spent with McLoughlin and Hall are included, along with Apone's first impressions of the film. He also takes time to praise Burman for the amazing opportunities he provided.

• "The Man Behind the Mask" (21:51, HD) is a slightly unwieldly conversation with Tom McLoughlin, who tracks his rise from a struggling mime in France to Hollywood, where he became part of the "Prophecy" team while stuffed inside the mutated bear costume. McLoughlin recalls design changes and time spent with Burman, also identifying his shared duties with Hall. While McLoughlin did his part by researching bear movement, he admits he was left with little to do on-set, though he shares warm memories of the cast and offers an amusing anecdote concerning Frankenheimer's unorthodox directorial style, helping to brighten his memories of a very "disappointing" film.

• Radio Spots (2:28) offers five ads for "Prophecy."

• Still Gallery (7:11) collects publicity shots, film stills, BTS pictures, poster art, lobby cards, newspaper ads, and Super 8 release packaging.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:06, HD) is included.

Prophecy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

All hope for a measured understanding of pollution and corporate cover-up is jettisoned in the last act of "Prophecy," which showcases the mutated bear in all its lackluster glory. Frankenheimer doesn't know how to shoot the creature, often emphasizing its ridiculous appearance, destroying any promise for suspense. Usually, a monstrous animal improves a movie when it arrives, but "Prophecy," when it's not dealing with editorial slumber (the feature could easily lose 20 minutes), isn't so lucky, facing complete deflation once the big showdown between ruinous humans and a damaged bear begins.