This is one of those horror films that stay with you and when you rewatch it countless times, it never stops to scare you. Imo, one of Mickey Rourke's best film performances.
This is a sinister, twisted version of Faust - originally a redemption story - into an epoch into damnation. It is a darker interpretation and use of The Tragedy of Oydipus as a plot vessel, a tributary nod to the Master and Margherita - all in a frame of a hard-boiled defective story in the footsteps of Chandler or Hammett.
The Devil knew all along, that's why he hired Angel at the start. He allowed Angel to find every person who had a connection to him, and then he would take over his body and make him kill that person as retribution and finally claim the soul. Johnny was never a part of this because he was never in control. Only at the end does Angel (the detective persona) realise was has happened and that the incredible story he had uncovered was actually about him. Awesome film.
Great explanation, thanks. One thing though, why kill Epiphany ( Lisa Bonnet) she wasn't involved in the attempt to trick the devil. She hadn't even been born yet. Thanks again, this movie was driving me crazy, lol
My interpretation is slightly different. Angel plays no part in the story - but for the name. Johnny lost his memory and didn’t remember he was Johnny or that he had sold his soul. He thought he was Angel. There weren’t 2 souls in the same body. The Devil knew the truth the entire time. And possessed Johnny to commit the murders - Johnny was already under contract to him. It was the Devil’s “game” in how he revealed it to Johnny. The viewer learns the truth at the same time Johnny does. That’s why the story is told through Johnny’s eyes.
My feeling about Lucifers's dilemma is that Harry Angel's soul could not be claimed as long as he was innocent/unaware of Johnny Favorites sins. Harry Angel had to be made aware that he was Johnny Favorite and that as Johnny, he had committed Johnny's sins.
In regards to Harry’s fear of chickens, Epiphany’s mum, Evangeline, was also a mambo priestess according to Toots. Since Favourite and Evangeline were lovers, and assuming she performed similar rites and rituals as we see Epiphany take part in, Harry’s “thing about chickens” could well be related to poultry sacrifice when Favourite was with Evangeline. Just a theory. I think it makes more sense than “Alan Parker doesn’t like chickens.” Fine work, sir!
I wondered about that too. Harry angel was not shoved into the body of Johnny favourite when Evangeline was doing any chicken sacrifices around him. But there’s something in there.
So fucking beautiful. I saw this when I was like 12 or 13 and while it didn’t make a lot of sense to my adolescent brain, her presence made a huge impact on me. I’m 37 now and she’s still a huge crush of mine.
@samanthab1923 she never returned. She was fired by Bill Cosby for doing the movie. He said it would ruin her image. The next season she said to be in college. That's when Sandra suddenly appeared on the show
Really good analysis. A thought on how Johnny seems to have been forgotten, despite selling his soul for fame and fortune. You probably couldn't tell this story today. Johnny's career would be readily accessible on social media. He'd have his own Wikipedia page, and 21st century artists would be sampling his songs.
For the most part, I agree. But, there are plenty of people who were famous in the 1940s and 50s that we don’t talk about now. We can google them if we hear their names. But they’re not in the modern zeitgeist. Connie Francis? Bill Haley and Pat Boone were nearly as famous as Elvis. Ever heard of top 1940s movie actresses Lynne Baggett, Nan Wynn, Paula Drew, Vera Ralston, Dolores Moran, Joan Bennett, Helen Walker, Evelyn Keyes? I bet you haven’t. What is the movie was based right now? If he had been, say, a famous singer before 2010, think of Nicole Scherzinger, Ryan Cabrera and Leona Lewis. They were all stars about 10 years ago. Sure, you could google them. But would you recognise them on the street? Do you recognise their names? I bet they could anonymously go through life atp.
I studied this movie in film School. The professor made the hypothesis that this was a retelling of the Oedipus Rex story. After all Oedipus was a detective only to find out that he was the one who murdered his father and married his mother. Aristotle at the time said it was the greatest tragedy ever written and it has aged well IMO.
My interpretation is the same as your professor’s. Johnny thought he was Angel because of his loss of memory. The movie isn’t about 2 souls controlling a body. It’s about the Devil revealing to Angel who he really is and his forgotten deal - he’s not an angel, he’s evil. The Devil possessed Johnny and killed the people. The Devil is both Louis Cyphr and the woman in black - he’s everywhere. The “soul” isn’t used like we think of it. It’s used like your “identity”.
The Tragedy of Oydipus is a plot vessel - the real core of the story is the twisted Faustian tale - originally a redemption story turned into one of damnation.
What is awesome about the kid is this. The fear was real and not in the script, but they kept it in because it was so good. That plays into it. You asked 'How can he know it's Johnny'... well, that's how he knows. The kid IS the Devil... and suddenly he's not scared, he's ANGRY. Babies cry when scared, sure... but also when hungry, when wet, when pooped all over, when ANGRY. So this 'accident on film' is kept in, and helps solidify that the Devil knows Johnny crossed him and now Johnny waltzes right up to the Devil, not knowing. And the Devil is PISSED.
@@garytiptin6479it was really heart-churning. I saw it first in Hungary on premiere weekend with a superb Hungarian dubbing. The actor who gave his voice to Rourke made Angel's final scream more wrenching than Rourke did. I came out of the movie-theater utterly clubbed on the head. Since then Angel Heart has been one of the epitomes of the most intelligent horror films.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this analysis ! I've always been confused by the act of taking Harold Angel's soul. Where did Johnny's soul go? Your interpretation, that both souls were inside Johnny; well, that clears a lot up for me. Thanks for this review!
This movie and 2,000.00 retail book, is written for those DEEP in the Ocult knowledge of black magic. Once you have an operative awareness of bi-location, invisibility, necromancy, and real Satanism, the movie flows like summer wine. This analysis only attempts to de bogeyman the Devil. In that cantankerous way only Hollywood can
I think your right about the callous rearranging of reality. The fan running backwards seems to be one of several symbols suggesting retroactive continuity.
The fans turning in the movie, I think represents the identities in charge of the main character. When fans are turning clockwise - Harry Angel is present, when the fans spin counter clockwise - Johnny has control. I also respectfully disagree about the woman in black (De Niro in drag). I think Lucifer and the WIB are two separate entities, though they are both angels. The WIB is possibly the angel of death. Did you happen to listen to that preacher's sermon? It had nothing to do with God and everything about showering him w/ wealth. This man made a deal with the devil to be worshiped and revered by the ppl in Harlem, ergo why Mr. Cyphre had the protagonist meet him in Harlem. This is also why the original preacher was FOUND to have shot himself. Suicide is a sin and I can't imagine any man of the cloth taking his own life. Later in the movie this preacher is being carried through the streets like a king until Johnny bowls him off his throne. This was a very good and in depth video, which I enjoyed and now subscribe. Thank you for your work.
Thank you Michael. Re-watch the film. It is simply not consistent that the fans are clockwise when one personality is present nor vice-versa. A more detailed explanation of the fans can be found here: czcams.com/video/v1Xc5VQGd14/video.html You think that the dead parishioner is the real priest and Brother John took over the congregation? That never occurred to me. That makes a lot of sense. You are correct about Brother John working for the devil. In fact, almost every religious leader is working for the devil. The Baptists we see in New Orleans go off and have a Satanic orgy. That scene was cut, probably because an orgy isn't particularly evil (even though that may have made sense to Neo-puritanical Reagan's America). The quick flashes of other people having sex during the sex scene come from that. Please like and share!
Watch the flashback scenes of the New York apartment where they cut the young soldiers heart out. There was a fan turning in the window when they cut his heart out. That’s why all the haunting images of the fan turning though out the film 👍
@@hammeredout8146God is not present in our world. According to the Bible the Lord gave Lucifer omnipotent power here on Earth for 5000 years. During this time the Devil has to be able to claim ALL the souls on Earth otherwise he will be sentenced to eternal servitude - in Hell.
Loved this movie. Love Alan Parker too. The Wall was also great. Mickey Rourke did a great job in this. This, the Pope, and Sin City are his best performances.
No matter how many times I watch Angel Heart, it sucks me in every single time. All I can think during is, "This is such a damn good movie." I'd definitely put it on my top 10 list of all-time favorites and consider it Mickey Rourke's best work. Also, how awesome is DeNiro as the Devil? Perfection.
Really well done! This was such an underrated film, with so many layers it warrants multiple viewings and even THEN, we aren't 100% sure what has happened. The ambiguity is the heart of this horror (no pun intended). A great video, cheers from Canada!
I’m from Louisiana, I always thought the chickens represented some sort of Voodoo, but I’ll be honest it’s been so long since I’ve seen this movie but I do remember liking it so much I bought the dvd and still have it.
Not from Louisiana, but I think the same. I associate chickens with voodoo, which I associate with the Devil. I disagree with the video. Think this movie is about Angel not remembering he’s actually Johnny. And the Devil is revealing the truth. Becoming Angel was to fool the Devil. He ended up fooling himself. At the end he learns he’s no Angel, he’s evil. The scene with the chickens shows that Johnny was into Voodoo, black magic, etc.
I remember having a devil of time trying to resolve all the questions I came to have about Angel Heart. I very much liked the film when it was first released- but the more I thought about it the more confusing it became. I definitely want to watch it again now.
Very interesting analysis of a very intriguing film! Given that two different souls existed in the same body, I always had a thought that when the Mickey Rourke character was executed for Epiphany's murder, then the Harold Angel soul might go to Heaven while only the Johnny Liebling/Favorite soul would go to Hell. After all, we hear Louis Cyphre say that he has "old-fashioned ideas about honor," and the Liebling/Favorite soul was the only one that Cyphre would have been entitled to under the contract. Just a thought.
I see your point. It is possible, however, that the “old-fashioned ideas about honour” is down to the Mosaic “ an eye for an eye”. In the new Testament, Jesus speaks against that idea, so it could be seen as “old-fashioned“. My question is, is Harold Angel a herald angel? As in “Hark, the Herald Angels, sing”? It’s a reach, but if he could first denigrate, and then possess the soul of an angel, that would be getting back at God. An “ eye for an eye”. Or, I could just be talking rubbish .
MF you are absolutely right. 100% Herald Angel. So darn clever! Altho Satan's main beef is with God for ordering him to prostrate to Adam who he believed to be inferior. He wants to show God how weak and easily seduced men are which he achieved the second Johnny made that deal with him. But I completely agree woth your reading and I just know that's why the name Harold was chosen for this character.
I think this was outstanding. I have seen Angel Heart many times since it's release and this breakdown discusses things that I have never thought of. I think this proves how well this movie was made. Now I want to watch this movie again, keeping all these things in mind. It almost makes it like a new movie. Well done.
Yeah, that's kind of the intended experience of "Hammered Out." I watched "Twin Peaks" after watching the famous 4 1/2 hour explanation, and I thought my mind was going to explode.
You’ve done a damn good job offering several plausible explanations to this baffling movie. The noseguard affinity is explained, thank God! Great job and thanks much for posting! ☮️
The book explains that there was a final ritual to finally become Harold Angel but was interrupted by Johnny’s being pressed into service in North Africa
Yes, the book presents a simpler story in many ways. I like the book, but moving the action to New Orleans feels like a better choice. Please like, subscribe and share!
@@hammeredout8146 no complaints there. Also read the sequel, which is unfaorly maligned. The author wasted the existentislists and beats as advisors to philosophically beat the devil if he decides to remain Harry by choice and decide a less selfish hedonistic and destructive existence but denying both God and Devil who’ve lost power over mankind after the Atom bomb. After talking to Camus, William Burroughs and hopefully Sartre with De Beauvoir
When I watched this movie, I imagined the Woman-In-Black as an angel sent to Johnny who would save him if only he would forsake evil. But he never did.
I beg to differ: if Evangeline Proudfoot ever was presented in the film as the "woman in black" it was another reminder for Johnny that he betrayed and left his love for Margaret Krusemark. Therefore this sinister apparition is a stark reminder for Favourite and she is a vengeful spirit to witness Johnny's final downfall.
I actually feel that this movie... and possibly the book it was based off of... had elements taken from Robert Bloch's short story, "Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper". Spoiler of the story below, so separating by a few lines for those who have not read. - - - - - In the short story, a man goes to a psychiatrist's office, and asks for his help in examining his patients, believing one of them is actually Jack the Ripper, who is actually a sorcerer, and his serial mutilations are actually rituals to grant him eternal life. So they visit some patients, walk the streets, and all the while, you hear the thoughts going through the psychiatrist's mind, not believing the man, and thinking he's crazy. Then, at the end, after the man convinces him that he will never give up his search for Jack the Ripper, all of a sudden, the psychiatrist, who's thoughts have been read through the whole story, pulls out a knife and says to call him Jack. The immortal sorcerer, Jack the Ripper, actually existed in the psychiatrist's body the whole time, without him knowing about it, the ritual murders allowing him to send his soul into people's bodies to hide, without their knowledge, until he needs, or has to, come out, to kill again.
No when he ate the heart he became delusional believing there were two souls within him when it was always him, he was self deceptive in making himself believe he could be good. The devil reminded him in the end who he was is all. He says you were on borrowed time. Once he made the deal he went more insane and now obsessed with saving his soul, it was all consuming.
If you watch to the very, very end, where the elevator stops, you will hear a heartbeat, and then Johnny greets Harry by name first, and then Harry greets Johnny by name.
Absolutely. I haven't confirmed the rumors, but supposedly Bill Cosby exerted his influence to make the film flop because he didn't want his TV daughter to be (gasp) having sex. Thanks! Please like, subscribe and share.
Why do you say this? It has 89,000 votes on IMDb. That's a lot for a 35-year-old movie that was released before the invention of the Internet. Compare that to, say, the celebrated and nearly as good No Way Out, also from 1987, which has just 41,000.
interesting content, very well made and a good attention to detail. Some things i might add to this (my own speculations) is that i noticed many things in angel hearts environment had sensed the presence of johnny/evil within him. This is very much a common re-occurring theme whenever he's going into any kind of territory with wildlife or walks near any animals in passing. All animals seem to go nuts around him, and even the baby started crying the first time it seen him. as i recall there was dogs on a number of occasions barking, the chickens going nuts, and at one point even horses. Also maybe angels fear of chickens was a psychological irony because he was a chicken, chickening out of his deal with the devil. Chicken is the animal used to symbolize cowardness. idk could be something, could be onto something or could be nothing, let me know what ya think :)
Yes, I noticed that. Mr G of CineG has a video about the meaning of dogs in the movie. czcams.com/video/yEFntQXmSgw/video.html I think that there are a lot of "vestigial" things in Angel Heart--things that were cut out but not completely cut out. There was a subplot about cats that was cut and I think that's why there's a cat in the opening scene. Chickens represent cowardice in the U.S. but I don't know how widespread that idiom is. I think that chicken-as-victim is specific to Angel Heart. As a pit bull lover, not as a film scholar, I noticed that the pit bull scenes are actually pretty ridiculous. It's obviously a friendly pit bull and the violent barking noises don't really sync to the dog's behavior. It's pretty funny when you notice it. The dog is trying to give Mickey Rourke kisses and his otherwise fine performance of fear is undercut if you're a pit bull lover. Please like and subscribe if you haven't!
@@hammeredout8146the Devil just wouldn't care. It's enough for him to get even Angel sentenced to death which means he has gathered another man's soul. He himself has a pact to fulfill made with God: that until 5000 (!) years he has to collect all people's souls on Earth or suffer the fate of eternal servitude for God - in Hell.
I watched it a few times,first time in the theater and later on satellite TV and still had a hard time figuring it out so thank you very much 😊 but who can't forget Lisa from the Cosby Show ❤💋🥰
Parker says, in no uncertain terms, that he regrets the orange demon eyes. His instincts told him that it was cheesy and that it wouldn't age well (look like '80s thing in the future). His instincts were right!
Keep in mind, *I* don't claim that Parker has contempt for the DVD commentary (although that is an entertaining interpretation). I just need to account for Parker's first-person claims in my analysis. Please like, subscribe and share.
@@hammeredout8146 What would your interpretation be of why he chose to contradict what was in the script and give flippant remarks such as "there's De Niro in drag" I subscribed half way through watching.
@@beelzebozos I have absolutely no idea what he's doing in the director's commentary. It's possible that he's being sincere and that he has no idea why De Niro is dressed as the Woman in Black, and I am reading meaning into random and pointless artistic decisions. It's also possible that he has gone senile and doesn't remember why he did what he did. It's also possible that he is playing dumb to entertain himself because he has scorn for the institution of director commentaries. Maybe some combination of the three. All I can tell you is that my interpretation fits the text of the movie so DEATH TO THE AUTHOR!
@@hammeredout8146 I think he is just entertaining himself by being flippant. Hope to see more from you as you clearly have what it takes to make insightful and engaging film analysis.
Thank you so much for this very refreshingly new perspective on a film that seriously impacted me when I first saw it. Quite nourishing food for thought.
Great movie.Underrated.One of my 3 most favourite 👍.I know many hardcore fans of this movie.They watch it ( like me) 100 times. Something magnetic haunted, like bad nightmare dream from your early life you coming back to It and remember all life long.
I really enjoyed this video a great deal, even though I respectfully disagree with some of your ultimate conclusions. It’s an underrated film in the extreme and it’s one of my all time favorites. I do feel that the idea Harold was actually picked at random is a bit of a stretch. For one, it would reduce the Devil’s motivation to sheer caprice; after all, he would otherwise have no reason to murder all these people who (directly or indirectly) serve him and pin it on some dude. He’s the Devil, he could have gotten five innocent people incarcerated and executed for those murders. But I think he wanted to punish the treachery of Johnny and his co-conspirators. “I have old-fashioned ideas about honor.” I haven’t read the book yet but another reviewer, CineG I think, mentions that in the book Louis Cyphre’s speaking arrangements include a sermon at a church where he preaches about the importance of taking an eye for an eye and crushing your enemies. The exoteric explanation seems more compelling to me, because as often happens in real life, Johnny acts out of defensiveness and self-interest and unwittingly serves the Adversary’s purposes. I felt the same way you did about Harry/Johnny’s hatred of yardfowl and victimhood. All that said your attention to detail, presentation and your willingness to listen to Parker’s extremely disinterested-sounding commentary are extraordinary. Your point about a fake devil hiding a real devil is something that has occurred to me about the more outlandish and bigoted conspiracy theories, which people often seem to find more appealing than the truth because it’s more exciting. Angel Heart and The Exorcist both play with the idea of being constantly surveilled by a cult. I’m not saying all conspiracy theories can be dismissed or that that doesn’t happen but it’s more mundane than people imagine. Please keep making videos; your review was extremely thoughtful and well-crafted! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Randy. Yes, it is a stretch to think that Harold was picked at random. I attempted to distinguish it as a casual observation and not a part of my theory. Mr. G of CineG is great! The official sequel to this video is on his channel. He was tremendously helpful. czcams.com/video/v1Xc5VQGd14/video.html You cannot rely on the book to understand the movie 100% of the time. "The Shining" is the perfect example. The movie is so different that reading the book to understand the movie is folly. Starting with "Rosemary's Baby," American cinema has loved the idea of a literal Satanic cult with real political power. "The Omen" also plays with this. The trend became tiresome by the time "Angel Heart" came out (maybe because nuclear war was scarier) and the movie is better for it. It's problematic because the QAnon lunatics take these ideas seriously. Yes, there is great wisdom in looking for mundane explanations. Thanks! Please like, subscribe and share.
Really wonderful. I always thought Evangeline Proudfoot, was the woman in black, when the trio lead Harold Angel in that room. Johnny didn’t want Margaret Krusemark to know his relationship with her. Evangeline knew what John Liebling was. Then, the devil made Evangeline Proudfoot a “cleaner” until he was done with her. He only revealed himself at the end of Johnny downfall. They all went to hell.
Evangeline was only a vengeful spirit summoned by Cypher as a stark reminder for Johnny about his personal betreyal of faith and spurned affection. Johhny left Evangeline who travelled back to New Orleans and died there before the plot of the film started.
@@translator074 Thank you for your input fpr 'movie' Evangeline. After seeing this movie, I read the book. Epiphany and Margaret were friends and both lived in NY.
Great in depth take on it...but...I am going to forget about it and do what I always do when I watch this again, one of the greatest and most underrated horror/noir films ever made: Take in the richly murky visual atmosphere, sound design, and Micky Rourke's acting tour de force. Criminal that he was not nominated for best actor, as he was absolutely brilliant in it. I personally feel that this film is a work of cinema art that defies absolute logistics analysis, but I love hearing such a detailed breakdown of its multiple meanings nonetheless.
Actually, that makes a lot of sense. The point is that the devil is just randomly killing people without some kind of larger plan. Please like, subscribe and share!
Very nicely done. This gave me some food for thought. Cyphre lying to Angel about the murders is well within the realm of possibility. But the Woman in Black being the devil, I have a little trouble with. I can't see the devil cleaning up his (or her) own mess. I could see Cyphre as the devil and the Woman in Black as a minion.
The Woman in Black is the vengeful spirit of Evangeline Proudfoot - another stark reminder for Johnny of a personal betrayal. This is the final screw for Alan Parker in this very sinister version of Faust. Originally a redemption story in which Margaret saves his love but here Evangeline sits in front of the electric chair waiting for Favourite's final downfall.
This is one of my favorites. I watched it when it first came out. I had to watch it several times to understand what was happening. At the end I was like duh 🙄
I just watched this movie, and it's a shame that they gave away so much during the introduction scene with Lucifer, gave the whole plot away... Still was a fun watch to see how Johnny "became" Harry... The one thing I can't figure out is why did it take Satan 12 years to find Johnny/Harry? Or did he wait for Johnny's daughter to grow up and be able to bear children?
Great stuff! At the end there I noticed Harry’s reflection in the broken mirror somewhat matched his look with the nose protector.. (just an observation)
I think that there are a lot of sub plots cut out with vestigial stuff left in. I think that there was supposed to be more to the nose protector. Thanks for commenting. Please like, subscribe and share!
This is a fantastic analysis. I read the book Falling Angel and listened to the director’s commentary looking for answers, but only found more questions. Your take feels right!
If I could "pin" a comment to the top of the board, I would pin this one. You made my day, Nikki. Some of my friends think that I wrote this under an assumed name 🤣
Huh... I saw this movie when it came out, and read the book soon after. The movie was a pretty faithful adaptation of the book as I recall, except for moving a major part of the story from Harlem to Louisiana. My basic take on the story was always that Johnny Favorite hid his condemned soul within Harry Angel. Favorite's body died, but his soul avoided hell by hiding out in the innocent man. In the end, the tragedy was that Harry was now also condemned, because of what Johnny Favorite had done while in control of his body. I think that was the case in the book as well, but I have not studied them or anything. Anyhow, I enjoyed the video, thanks.
@@hammeredout8146 Look up: Silent Hill 2 Is The Best Horror Game Ever Made for a pretty good intro to Silent Hill. I also suggest looking up A Uncanny Reality by Jacob Gellar for another good video.
This is one movie from the 80s that can never be remade nor topped. Till this day, each time I watch it, it’s like trying to figure out Kubrick’s “2001”.
Angel Heart is revealed at the end. 2001 is open ended. Try Inception, which is also open ended (Who’s dream is it? There are websites that show something like 8 possible interpretations. Nolan truly made a masterpiece.) Also try Hereditary. Make sure to watch it a 2nd time. It’s a lot like Angel Heart.
@@aieahi1 Nolan has amazing concepts, but he’s too in love with technique than storytelling. I got tired of watching Inception when DiCaprio and his team began acting like winter soldiers in the snow; the hell was that part about?
@@damiendsoul360 I agree. Was impressed that he kept open the possibility that it could be a dream by any of the main characters. Even at the end. I didn’t see it. Took reading a website to see it. But after a re-watch, agreed with the website.
@@aieahi1 The movie also makes me want to punch Mickey Rouke for ruining his features as he currently is. The man was the true embodiment of Marlon Brando in the 80s. Such charisma and raw magnetism on his screen, yet look at him today. #smh
I did like your interpretation it fell in line with my own when I watched angel heart, I assumed as well that the woman in black was the true devil and Louis was more like a personae. Even the ending I broadly agreed upon where something didn't seem right, that Harry could well have been innocent yet was convinced that he was guilty which can be fairly common in police interrogations, where they will convince a distressed innocent person that they committed the crime through confidence and evidence.
One of the best occult horror movies ever. Because we see famous actors being much younger , you know it's an older movie. But the movie has aged so well, it could have made today.
There’s no “special permits” required to clean up a crime scene. My best friend’s roommate killed his 2 girlfriends and then himself in their apartment. The room where it happened was contaminated with blood and brains. The cops just left it, no one came to clean it up.
Brilliant film! Propelled by a stellar cast, lead by the amazing work of Mickey Rourke! Who in "my world" Won the Oscar Best Actor Award for his role as Harry Angel. Simply stunning performance imo 😎👍
This was excellent Angel heart is one of my favorite movies and I’m a big Mickey Rourke fan I thought your ideas and thoughts and conclusions were really very good
I got to admit deniro played a good devil. Better than pacino.. mickey looks so normal. Dark gritty streets. You can feel the humidity in the swamp. Alan parker always show the filth in the world. Look at angelas ashes, pink floyd the wall, and the worst, FAME
Very interesting analysis and agreed on both souls but I respectfully disagree re Johnny taking over Harry to do the murders. Angel did the murders under Cyphre's influence and this is stated in the film. Angel: "I didn't kill no-one!" Cyphre: I'm afraid you did Johnny. All done by your hand...guided by mine". Cyphre was sending Angel on a fool's errand, setting him up to do the murders which would lead to his execution after apprehension which would send his soul to Hell. There's a theory which I think has merit that Cyphre set Angel up to find the vase which when broken, frees Angel's soul leaving only JOhnny's to take. But again very interesting analysis and good presentation.
absolutely this, Harry was under the influence of Cypher when committing the murders. In the film, the points and which it shows the dream sequences are when Harry has been taken over by the devil. Subconsciously, Harry maybe aware he's Johnny. At the very least he may have recollections of Johnny's memories, memories of ceremonies involving chickens. Perhaps this is where his aversion comes from. Chickens remind Harry at a subconscious level that he's evil.
Good vs. evil. Even though Johnny owes his soul to the devil, Harry’s soul is free to choose. Perhaps, it was divine intervention that allowed Harry to get hurt in the war and live on borrowed time. Now as Johnny will likely get death penalty for multiple murders, Harry will be freed as well. It’s like the devil knows he can’t have Harry so he influenced Johnny to commit these murders in a heinous fashion to get Johnny on the death row and get his soul while also freeing Harry. It would have been interesting to see the conclusion where Harry realizes that he doesn’t owe anything to the devil, only Johnny does.
Loved the analysis…. Margaret helped them find Harold, was a part of the sacrifice and had Harold’s dog tags… how she didn’t realize Harold was Johnny when he visited her? I get he had a new face and could not remember but she knew the name. I don’t get how the other culprits did not know either. He gave them his name. 🤔
I think that she figured out that Harry was Johnny about halfway through the conversation. The killers didn't know what the name of "the boy" was. Margaret put the dog tags in the vase without reading them.
@@hammeredout8146but She read Harold 's Hand..and of course She read in the past Johnnys Hand..ok for the plastic surgery at the face..but what about the hands..the voice,and the eyes of your ex boyfriend.the Reading Hand ,i think Its a big mistake in the movie.
@@hammeredout8146 ok..but why She should be upset with Johnny to Say "hes dead to me"..theres no reason for that..or Its not well explained in the movie.
Waw. You nailed it. The confusion between what you do and who you are is great in many people. What you are cannot change not be defined or measured. It is unfathomable. Unlimited infinite. Do you remember the first time you where aware? Do you remember loosing consciousness? How could you? What you do, that starts and end. That is of this world. To make you forget you have a body and instead think you are a body or a mind or a feeling. That is what a good puppeteer does. That is what you do. "The knife is dangerous The knife is helpful The knife is" and the rest is projection. It makes a thrilling story. So be honest. What do you want? Are you board of peace and want chaos for a change? Now you realise that it is not what you want. Things are not interesting. You pay attention and they become interesting. So, you pulling away negates what is. That is how negative experience are generated. And the cycle of grief starts. Until surrender. 😻
A great film that doesn't need to be "explained." All you have to do is watch it, and pay attention. It only seems confusing and complicated, right up until you find the answers. It is very simple.
The devil erased the consequences of the blood. It's still there, but noT within his reality anymore. It's the devil that meters out negative consequences as he is the sadist
I appreciate your chicken theory and this video. Yes Parker’s commentary is quite vague and non deliberate. The chicken to me is quite obvious. It’s a trace of Johnny in Harry. Several of these are dropped. Harry is afraid of chickens because subconsciously Johnny’s memories are felt. Johnny practiced witchcraft obviously. And we see how the chickens are used in their rituals during the “Mambo” worship dance and rituals. These traces of Johnny in Harry are all through the movie of course. Most apparent with the song. That SPOOKY song “If I could just hold your charms” song 🎵. Harry plays those notes just doodling on Margaret’s piano. Wow u put a lot of stuff in there perhaps not intended. But cool video.
Yes, Johnny sacrificed chickens, but that isn't enough to, logically, make Harry afraid of chickens. Also, it doesn't account for the other references to chickens, such as the egg devouring scene. You are correct about the song. I left it out, not because it contradicted my thesis, but because it wasn't relevant to my thesis, and it had already been discussed in other essays, most notably CineG's many videos about "Angel Heart." Please check out part two: czcams.com/video/v1Xc5VQGd14/video.html and please like, subscribe and share.
Why doesn’t anyone ever mention that Winesap and Macintosh, the names of the lawyers who tempt Harry to take the case, are the names of apples? A la, The Garden of Eden. H
Hello Marilyn. Yes, I caught that (along with Harold Angel = Herald Angel). I didn't mention it as I try to trim down these essays to a central thesis. Please like, subscribe and share.
i loved this movie since i watched it back in 87 but , over the years whenever i mentioned it to people, nobody seemed to have heard of it- its good to see that it is eventually getting the recognition it deserves- it has to be in the top 10 (near the top for me) of horror films ever made- i never really got all the fuss about mickey rourke until i saw this film- he is brilliant in it
I am not much of a horror aficionado, but I watched this movie yrs ago. I didnt really understand it, but it scared the $h -out of me! Don’t like gory “slasher” films, bec of my aversion to seeing gore. But this spooky, esoteric hocus pocus give me nightmares, bec it seems real!
I disagree with this analysis. There weren’t 2 souls in the same body. The Devil was never fooled. Johnny lost his memory, which means he forgot about his deal with the Devil. He thinks he’s Angel. The Devil is merely revealing to Johnny the truth. The Devil always knew. The story is told through Angel’s eyes because the viewer learns at the same time as Angel that he’s no Angel, he’s Johnny. Yes, the name plays a part. What happens to Angel’s soul is irrelevant to the story. It’s Johnny learning he tried to fool the Devil and failed.
The end where the child is pointing at Harry, reminds me of the painting: Madonna on the Rocks where the child is pointing at the other child to ID as Christ. Lisa Bonet’s character name Epiphany. Mix of occult, Catholic and Vodun, so interesting. Saw this back in high school the ending gave me the creeps.
Great video but not sure I agree with your conclusion. I think Johnny’s soul goes to hell, but Angel’s soul ends up with the angels since he’s (relatively) innocent.
Thank you. Please like, subscribe and share. I ended up using the Swan Lake composition as the ending to all but one of my videos (you'll have to watch all the videos to find the outlier 😁)
It's a fun read but kind of a stretch. The movie doesn't make sense if Harry/Favorite didn't commit the murders, and there's no reason to believe he didn't. William Hjortsberg said that his book Falling Angel was inspired by Oedipus Rex. In other words, it's a story about a guy whose only protection is a lie, and he himself is the one who finally strips away that lie: the detective who discovers that he's the killer. It's unclear why Cypher needs Harry to do this-he seems to know Harry's true identity from the beginning, so couldn't he just drag him off to hell?-but maybe, as you suggest, there's a spell that prevents Cypher from acting directly. All he can do is tempt Harry to keep digging until Harry himself unweaves the spell. As in Oedipus, the truth does not set you free, it destroys you. I loved your read on the woman in black. To tell you the truth, I always dismissed her as so much Alan Parker window-dressing, like the chickens and the glowing eyes on Hot Stuff the Li'l Devil. But you've got me thinking she has a bigger part to play.
Good job, great in explaining Harry Angel is essentially innocent, so to point out a phylosofical meaning of Angel Heart , that is the "unfairness" of life (his name is maybe black humorous, but still a hint )
This is one of those horror films that stay with you and when you rewatch it countless times, it never stops to scare you. Imo, one of Mickey Rourke's best film performances.
I agree
This was the most underrated movies in cinema. It’s almost like a pre-seven.
I agree. This movie practically birthed “Seven”.
Too true!
This is a sinister, twisted version of Faust - originally a redemption story - into an epoch into damnation. It is a darker interpretation and use of The Tragedy of Oydipus as a plot vessel, a tributary nod to the Master and Margherita - all in a frame of a hard-boiled defective story in the footsteps of Chandler or Hammett.
It's unbelievable this movie flopped so hard back in the days. If it came out today it would have been praised. Excellent film.
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If it came out today the producer probably wouldn't even dare to release it in theaters. Would've gone straight to the designated streaming service.
The Devil knew all along, that's why he hired Angel at the start. He allowed Angel to find every person who had a connection to him, and then he would take over his body and make him kill that person as retribution and finally claim the soul. Johnny was never a part of this because he was never in control. Only at the end does Angel (the detective persona) realise was has happened and that the incredible story he had uncovered was actually about him.
Awesome film.
Thus is just how I understood the film. Well stated
Great explanation, thanks. One thing though, why kill Epiphany ( Lisa Bonnet) she wasn't involved in the attempt to trick the devil. She hadn't even been born yet. Thanks again, this movie was driving me crazy, lol
My interpretation is slightly different. Angel plays no part in the story - but for the name. Johnny lost his memory and didn’t remember he was Johnny or that he had sold his soul. He thought he was Angel. There weren’t 2 souls in the same body. The Devil knew the truth the entire time. And possessed Johnny to commit the murders - Johnny was already under contract to him. It was the Devil’s “game” in how he revealed it to Johnny. The viewer learns the truth at the same time Johnny does. That’s why the story is told through Johnny’s eyes.
@@charleslanphier8094he killed Lisa Bonet to punish Johnny since she was his daughter
@@aieahi1this is exactly right. The reviewer over-complicated everything
My feeling about Lucifers's dilemma is that Harry Angel's soul could not be claimed as long as he was innocent/unaware of Johnny Favorites sins. Harry Angel had to be made aware that he was Johnny Favorite and that as Johnny, he had committed Johnny's sins.
That's correct. Louis cypther can't collect if the person Doesn't remember.
God knows Harry is inocent,so devil can not take his soul to hell.
100% correct. I'm surprised more people haven't made this point.
Johnny sins lol
This was the first movie to truly spook me as an adult. It’s sad more people don’t know about it.
Spoon?
@@hammeredout8146 *spooked 😱
@@adagiobreeze8493 That makes a lot of sense. I don't know if you live in the US, but if you don't, should I telling you what spooning means?
@russellcollier8202 Hmmm . . . I'll assume it means the same thing as in the US, but healthcare is free.
Yes walked out at end very creeped out. had to wait a long time to get a VHS copy to watch again
In regards to Harry’s fear of chickens, Epiphany’s mum, Evangeline, was also a mambo priestess according to Toots. Since Favourite and Evangeline were lovers, and assuming she performed similar rites and rituals as we see Epiphany take part in, Harry’s “thing about chickens” could well be related to poultry sacrifice when Favourite was with Evangeline. Just a theory. I think it makes more sense than “Alan Parker doesn’t like chickens.”
Fine work, sir!
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Did you see the Werner Herzog video on the stupidity of chickens?
I wondered about that too. Harry angel was not shoved into the body of Johnny favourite when Evangeline was doing any chicken sacrifices around him. But there’s something in there.
Yes, the ritual with chicken blood is meant to keep away evil. They were trying to keep themselves safe from the evil that Harry carried in him.
The woman in black is Maman Brigitte.
Lisa Bonet was absolutely beautiful in this movie, I've always loved this film!
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So fucking beautiful. I saw this when I was like 12 or 13 and while it didn’t make a lot of sense to my adolescent brain, her presence made a huge impact on me. I’m 37 now and she’s still a huge crush of mine.
@@QEsposito510 Like? Subscribe? Share . . .?
Felt bad she had to return to the Cosby show
@samanthab1923 she never returned. She was fired by Bill Cosby for doing the movie. He said it would ruin her image.
The next season she said to be in college. That's when Sandra suddenly appeared on the show
Really good analysis. A thought on how Johnny seems to have been forgotten, despite selling his soul for fame and fortune. You probably couldn't tell this story today. Johnny's career would be readily accessible on social media. He'd have his own Wikipedia page, and 21st century artists would be sampling his songs.
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For the most part, I agree. But, there are plenty of people who were famous in the 1940s and 50s that we don’t talk about now. We can google them if we hear their names. But they’re not in the modern zeitgeist. Connie Francis? Bill Haley and Pat Boone were nearly as famous as Elvis.
Ever heard of top 1940s movie actresses Lynne Baggett, Nan Wynn, Paula Drew, Vera Ralston, Dolores Moran, Joan Bennett, Helen Walker, Evelyn Keyes?
I bet you haven’t.
What is the movie was based right now? If he had been, say, a famous singer before 2010, think of Nicole Scherzinger, Ryan Cabrera and Leona Lewis. They were all stars about 10 years ago. Sure, you could google them. But would you recognise them on the street? Do you recognise their names? I bet they could anonymously go through life atp.
I studied this movie in film School. The professor made the hypothesis that this was a retelling of the Oedipus Rex story. After all Oedipus was a detective only to find out that he was the one who murdered his father and married his mother. Aristotle at the time said it was the greatest tragedy ever written and it has aged well IMO.
With all due respect to your professor, that is a big stretch.
My interpretation is the same as your professor’s. Johnny thought he was Angel because of his loss of memory. The movie isn’t about 2 souls controlling a body. It’s about the Devil revealing to Angel who he really is and his forgotten deal - he’s not an angel, he’s evil. The Devil possessed Johnny and killed the people. The Devil is both Louis Cyphr and the woman in black - he’s everywhere.
The “soul” isn’t used like we think of it. It’s used like your “identity”.
The Tragedy of Oydipus is a plot vessel - the real core of the story is the twisted Faustian tale - originally a redemption story turned into one of damnation.
What is awesome about the kid is this.
The fear was real and not in the script, but they kept it in because it was so good. That plays into it. You asked 'How can he know it's Johnny'... well, that's how he knows. The kid IS the Devil... and suddenly he's not scared, he's ANGRY. Babies cry when scared, sure... but also when hungry, when wet, when pooped all over, when ANGRY.
So this 'accident on film' is kept in, and helps solidify that the Devil knows Johnny crossed him and now Johnny waltzes right up to the Devil, not knowing. And the Devil is PISSED.
Angel Heart sticks with you…
The bealivers stuck with me because of what they said happened to my cousin.
It gave me the shudders; I felt so sorry for Harry Angel!
My brothers friend sold his soul to the devil. I showed him this film and asked him if it was worth it.
@@garytiptin6479it was really heart-churning. I saw it first in Hungary on premiere weekend with a superb Hungarian dubbing. The actor who gave his voice to Rourke made Angel's final scream more wrenching than Rourke did. I came out of the movie-theater utterly clubbed on the head. Since then Angel Heart has been one of the epitomes of the most intelligent horror films.
Just rewatched the other night. Still holds up. Such a good film
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I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this analysis ! I've always been confused by the act of taking Harold Angel's soul. Where did Johnny's soul go? Your interpretation, that both souls were inside Johnny; well, that clears a lot up for me. Thanks for this review!
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Also when Johnny did the transformation he obviously got all of Harold's memories to the extant that he's forgotten his real identity.
Me too
This movie and 2,000.00 retail book, is written for those DEEP in the Ocult knowledge of black magic. Once you have an operative awareness of bi-location, invisibility, necromancy, and real Satanism, the movie flows like summer wine.
This analysis only attempts to de bogeyman the Devil.
In that cantankerous way only Hollywood can
Micky Rourke's best movie
The 80s was truly the best decade for iconic movies ⭐
I think your right about the callous rearranging of reality. The fan running backwards seems to be one of several symbols suggesting retroactive continuity.
Oh yes! The fans are explained in this sequel: czcams.com/video/v1Xc5VQGd14/video.html
Like Miller's Crossing, this movie was very style-ized with great clothing, sets, and dialog.
The fans turning in the movie, I think represents the identities in charge of the main character. When fans are turning clockwise - Harry Angel is present, when the fans spin counter clockwise - Johnny has control. I also respectfully disagree about the woman in black (De Niro in drag). I think Lucifer and the WIB are two separate entities, though they are both angels. The WIB is possibly the angel of death. Did you happen to listen to that preacher's sermon? It had nothing to do with God and everything about showering him w/ wealth. This man made a deal with the devil to be worshiped and revered by the ppl in Harlem, ergo why Mr. Cyphre had the protagonist meet him in Harlem. This is also why the original preacher was FOUND to have shot himself. Suicide is a sin and I can't imagine any man of the cloth taking his own life. Later in the movie this preacher is being carried through the streets like a king until Johnny bowls him off his throne. This was a very good and in depth video, which I enjoyed and now subscribe. Thank you for your work.
Thank you Michael. Re-watch the film. It is simply not consistent that the fans are clockwise when one personality is present nor vice-versa. A more detailed explanation of the fans can be found here: czcams.com/video/v1Xc5VQGd14/video.html
You think that the dead parishioner is the real priest and Brother John took over the congregation? That never occurred to me. That makes a lot of sense.
You are correct about Brother John working for the devil. In fact, almost every religious leader is working for the devil. The Baptists we see in New Orleans go off and have a Satanic orgy. That scene was cut, probably because an orgy isn't particularly evil (even though that may have made sense to Neo-puritanical Reagan's America). The quick flashes of other people having sex during the sex scene come from that.
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Watch the flashback scenes of the New York apartment where they cut the young soldiers heart out. There was a fan turning in the window when they cut his heart out. That’s why all the haunting images of the fan turning though out the film 👍
@@hammeredout8146God knows Harry is inocent,so devil can not take his soul to hell. What do you think?
@@Jessie_James850 God seems to be absent from the "Angel Heart" universe.
@@hammeredout8146God is not present in our world. According to the Bible the Lord gave Lucifer omnipotent power here on Earth for 5000 years. During this time the Devil has to be able to claim ALL the souls on Earth otherwise he will be sentenced to eternal servitude - in Hell.
Loved this movie. Love Alan Parker too. The Wall was also great. Mickey Rourke did a great job in this. This, the Pope, and Sin City are his best performances.
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No matter how many times I watch Angel Heart, it sucks me in every single time. All I can think during is, "This is such a damn good movie."
I'd definitely put it on my top 10 list of all-time favorites and consider it Mickey Rourke's best work. Also, how awesome is DeNiro as the Devil? Perfection.
Agreed. I love this film. Damn near perfect all round
Totally agree, I watch this movie every so often, it’s one of the best thrillers imo🙌🏽
Really well done! This was such an underrated film, with so many layers it warrants multiple viewings and even THEN, we aren't 100% sure what has happened. The ambiguity is the heart of this horror (no pun intended). A great video, cheers from Canada!
I’m from Louisiana, I always thought the chickens represented some sort of Voodoo, but I’ll be honest it’s been so long since I’ve seen this movie but I do remember liking it so much I bought the dvd and still have it.
Not from Louisiana, but I think the same. I associate chickens with voodoo, which I associate with the Devil. I disagree with the video. Think this movie is about Angel not remembering he’s actually Johnny. And the Devil is revealing the truth. Becoming Angel was to fool the Devil. He ended up fooling himself. At the end he learns he’s no Angel, he’s evil.
The scene with the chickens shows that Johnny was into Voodoo, black magic, etc.
@@aieahi1"A wiseguy never fools anybody but himself." - Bernie Ohls in Raymond Chandler's The Long Good-bye.
I remember having a devil of time trying to resolve all the questions I came to have about Angel Heart. I very much liked the film when it was first released- but the more I thought about it the more confusing it became. I definitely want to watch it again now.
I see what you did there.
My favorite movie of all times. You’re bang on point with your analysis 👍
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Very interesting analysis of a very intriguing film! Given that two different souls existed in the same body, I always had a thought that when the Mickey Rourke character was executed for Epiphany's murder, then the Harold Angel soul might go to Heaven while only the Johnny Liebling/Favorite soul would go to Hell. After all, we hear Louis Cyphre say that he has "old-fashioned ideas about honor," and the Liebling/Favorite soul was the only one that Cyphre would have been entitled to under the contract. Just a thought.
Souls get eaten all the time
I see your point. It is possible, however, that the “old-fashioned ideas about honour” is down to the Mosaic “ an eye for an eye”. In the new Testament, Jesus speaks against that idea, so it could be seen as “old-fashioned“.
My question is, is Harold Angel a herald angel? As in “Hark, the Herald Angels, sing”? It’s a reach, but if he could first denigrate, and then possess the soul of an angel, that would be getting back at God. An “ eye for an eye”.
Or, I could just be talking rubbish .
MF you are absolutely right. 100% Herald Angel. So darn clever! Altho Satan's main beef is with God for ordering him to prostrate to Adam who he believed to be inferior. He wants to show God how weak and easily seduced men are which he achieved the second Johnny made that deal with him. But I completely agree woth your reading and I just know that's why the name Harold was chosen for this character.
Read the follow up novel "Angels Inferno" it will change a lot of the things you think happened to Harry/Johnny
This is incredible. Great analysis of one of the great mystery films of all time
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I think this was outstanding. I have seen Angel Heart many times since it's release and this breakdown discusses things that I have never thought of. I think this proves how well this movie was made. Now I want to watch this movie again, keeping all these things in mind. It almost makes it like a new movie. Well done.
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Yeah, that's kind of the intended experience of "Hammered Out." I watched "Twin Peaks" after watching the famous 4 1/2 hour explanation, and I thought my mind was going to explode.
Finally watched this movie for the first time after hearing about it for decades. Much deeper than I thought, I will rewatch it several times
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You’ve done a damn good job offering several plausible explanations to this baffling movie. The noseguard affinity is explained, thank God! Great job and thanks much for posting! ☮️
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The book explains that there was a final ritual to finally become Harold Angel but was interrupted by Johnny’s being pressed into service in North Africa
Yes, the book presents a simpler story in many ways. I like the book, but moving the action to New Orleans feels like a better choice. Please like, subscribe and share!
@@hammeredout8146 no complaints there. Also read the sequel, which is unfaorly maligned. The author wasted the existentislists and beats as advisors to philosophically beat the devil if he decides to remain Harry by choice and decide a less selfish hedonistic and destructive existence but denying both God and Devil who’ve lost power over mankind after the Atom bomb. After talking to Camus, William Burroughs and hopefully Sartre with De Beauvoir
When I watched this movie, I imagined the Woman-In-Black as an angel sent to Johnny who would save him if only he would forsake evil. But he never did.
I beg to differ: if Evangeline Proudfoot ever was presented in the film as the "woman in black" it was another reminder for Johnny that he betrayed and left his love for Margaret Krusemark. Therefore this sinister apparition is a stark reminder for Favourite and she is a vengeful spirit to witness Johnny's final downfall.
I actually feel that this movie... and possibly the book it was based off of... had elements taken from Robert Bloch's short story, "Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper".
Spoiler of the story below, so separating by a few lines for those who have not read.
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In the short story, a man goes to a psychiatrist's office, and asks for his help in examining his patients, believing one of them is actually Jack the Ripper, who is actually a sorcerer, and his serial mutilations are actually rituals to grant him eternal life. So they visit some patients, walk the streets, and all the while, you hear the thoughts going through the psychiatrist's mind, not believing the man, and thinking he's crazy. Then, at the end, after the man convinces him that he will never give up his search for Jack the Ripper, all of a sudden, the psychiatrist, who's thoughts have been read through the whole story, pulls out a knife and says to call him Jack. The immortal sorcerer, Jack the Ripper, actually existed in the psychiatrist's body the whole time, without him knowing about it, the ritual murders allowing him to send his soul into people's bodies to hide, without their knowledge, until he needs, or has to, come out, to kill again.
I'll have to read that as well. Thanks. Please like, subscribe and share.
REPLY
No when he ate the heart he became delusional believing there were two souls within him when it was always him, he was self deceptive in making himself believe he could be good. The devil reminded him in the end who he was is all. He says you were on borrowed time. Once he made the deal he went more insane and now obsessed with saving his soul, it was all consuming.
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But he had Harry’s memories and personality , albeit confused
If you watch to the very, very end, where the elevator stops, you will hear a heartbeat, and then Johnny greets Harry by name first, and then Harry greets Johnny by name.
Yes, I know. I wanted to keep the video under 30 minutes, so, I couldn't talk about everything.
One of the best movies nobody knows about
Absolutely. I haven't confirmed the rumors, but supposedly Bill Cosby exerted his influence to make the film flop because he didn't want his TV daughter to be (gasp) having sex. Thanks! Please like, subscribe and share.
Why do you say this? It has 89,000 votes on IMDb. That's a lot for a 35-year-old movie that was released before the invention of the Internet. Compare that to, say, the celebrated and nearly as good No Way Out, also from 1987, which has just 41,000.
@@ericchapman622 Again, I am reporting half-remembered rumors.
interesting content, very well made and a good attention to detail. Some things i might add to this (my own speculations) is that i noticed many things in angel hearts environment had sensed the presence of johnny/evil within him. This is very much a common re-occurring theme whenever he's going into any kind of territory with wildlife or walks near any animals in passing. All animals seem to go nuts around him, and even the baby started crying the first time it seen him. as i recall there was dogs on a number of occasions barking, the chickens going nuts, and at one point even horses. Also maybe angels fear of chickens was a psychological irony because he was a chicken, chickening out of his deal with the devil. Chicken is the animal used to symbolize cowardness. idk could be something, could be onto something or could be nothing, let me know what ya think :)
Yes, I noticed that. Mr G of CineG has a video about the meaning of dogs in the movie.
czcams.com/video/yEFntQXmSgw/video.html
I think that there are a lot of "vestigial" things in Angel Heart--things that were cut out but not completely cut out. There was a subplot about cats that was cut and I think that's why there's a cat in the opening scene.
Chickens represent cowardice in the U.S. but I don't know how widespread that idiom is. I think that chicken-as-victim is specific to Angel Heart.
As a pit bull lover, not as a film scholar, I noticed that the pit bull scenes are actually pretty ridiculous. It's obviously a friendly pit bull and the violent barking noises don't really sync to the dog's behavior. It's pretty funny when you notice it. The dog is trying to give Mickey Rourke kisses and his otherwise fine performance of fear is undercut if you're a pit bull lover.
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@@hammeredout8146 thanks for the link, and the reply :) i'm gonna watch his playlist now. He's got some great looking stuff on it thus far
Louis Cypher clearly says that harry did the killings but he was “guided by my hand.”
Yeah, but where does "Cypher guided Harry to commit to murders" end and "Cypher committed the murders" begin?
@@hammeredout8146the Devil just wouldn't care. It's enough for him to get even Angel sentenced to death which means he has gathered another man's soul. He himself has a pact to fulfill made with God: that until 5000 (!) years he has to collect all people's souls on Earth or suffer the fate of eternal servitude for God - in Hell.
I watched it a few times,first time in the theater and later on satellite TV and still had a hard time figuring it out so thank you very much 😊 but who can't forget Lisa from the Cosby Show ❤💋🥰
I have easily forgotten everything about Bill Cosby.
WOW I loved this. I’ve watched it so many times and always wanted to have a real analysis of the theme. Thank you sir, job well done!
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I can forgive the orange demon eyes cause the rest of movie is so well done and put together!
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Parker says, in no uncertain terms, that he regrets the orange demon eyes. His instincts told him that it was cheesy and that it wouldn't age well (look like '80s thing in the future). His instincts were right!
That elevator descent at the end.
I always wanted to know how they could know that the random man they picked on New Years Eve was the same age as Favorite?
Hmmm . . . good question, come to think of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching. Alan Parkers contempt for DVD commentary was hilarious.
Keep in mind, *I* don't claim that Parker has contempt for the DVD commentary (although that is an entertaining interpretation). I just need to account for Parker's first-person claims in my analysis. Please like, subscribe and share.
@@hammeredout8146 What would your interpretation be of why he chose to contradict what was in the script and give flippant remarks such as "there's De Niro in drag"
I subscribed half way through watching.
@@beelzebozos I have absolutely no idea what he's doing in the director's commentary. It's possible that he's being sincere and that he has no idea why De Niro is dressed as the Woman in Black, and I am reading meaning into random and pointless artistic decisions. It's also possible that he has gone senile and doesn't remember why he did what he did. It's also possible that he is playing dumb to entertain himself because he has scorn for the institution of director commentaries. Maybe some combination of the three. All I can tell you is that my interpretation fits the text of the movie so DEATH TO THE AUTHOR!
@@hammeredout8146 I think he is just entertaining himself by being flippant.
Hope to see more from you as you clearly have what it takes to make insightful and engaging film analysis.
@@beelzebozos Aw shucks.
Thank you so much for this very refreshingly new perspective on a film that seriously impacted me when I first saw it. Quite nourishing food for thought.
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Great movie.Underrated.One of my 3 most favourite 👍.I know many hardcore fans of this movie.They watch it ( like me) 100 times. Something magnetic haunted, like bad nightmare dream from your early life you coming back to It and remember all life long.
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You really did a great job with this break down!
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I really enjoyed this video a great deal, even though I respectfully disagree with some of your ultimate conclusions. It’s an underrated film in the extreme and it’s one of my all time favorites.
I do feel that the idea Harold was actually picked at random is a bit of a stretch. For one, it would reduce the Devil’s motivation to sheer caprice; after all, he would otherwise have no reason to murder all these people who (directly or indirectly) serve him and pin it on some dude. He’s the Devil, he could have gotten five innocent people incarcerated and executed for those murders. But I think he wanted to punish the treachery of Johnny and his co-conspirators. “I have old-fashioned ideas about honor.” I haven’t read the book yet but another reviewer, CineG I think, mentions that in the book Louis Cyphre’s speaking arrangements include a sermon at a church where he preaches about the importance of taking an eye for an eye and crushing your enemies. The exoteric explanation seems more compelling to me, because as often happens in real life, Johnny acts out of defensiveness and self-interest and unwittingly serves the Adversary’s purposes.
I felt the same way you did about Harry/Johnny’s hatred of yardfowl and victimhood. All that said your attention to detail, presentation and your willingness to listen to Parker’s extremely disinterested-sounding commentary are extraordinary. Your point about a fake devil hiding a real devil is something that has occurred to me about the more outlandish and bigoted conspiracy theories, which people often seem to find more appealing than the truth because it’s more exciting. Angel Heart and The Exorcist both play with the idea of being constantly surveilled by a cult. I’m not saying all conspiracy theories can be dismissed or that that doesn’t happen but it’s more mundane than people imagine. Please keep making videos; your review was extremely thoughtful and well-crafted! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Randy. Yes, it is a stretch to think that Harold was picked at random. I attempted to distinguish it as a casual observation and not a part of my theory.
Mr. G of CineG is great! The official sequel to this video is on his channel. He was tremendously helpful. czcams.com/video/v1Xc5VQGd14/video.html
You cannot rely on the book to understand the movie 100% of the time. "The Shining" is the perfect example. The movie is so different that reading the book to understand the movie is folly.
Starting with "Rosemary's Baby," American cinema has loved the idea of a literal Satanic cult with real political power. "The Omen" also plays with this. The trend became tiresome by the time "Angel Heart" came out (maybe because nuclear war was scarier) and the movie is better for it. It's problematic because the QAnon lunatics take these ideas seriously. Yes, there is great wisdom in looking for mundane explanations.
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Really wonderful. I always thought Evangeline Proudfoot, was the woman in black, when the trio lead Harold Angel in that room. Johnny didn’t want Margaret Krusemark to know his relationship with her. Evangeline knew what John Liebling was. Then, the devil made Evangeline Proudfoot a “cleaner” until he was done with her. He only revealed himself at the end of Johnny downfall. They all went to hell.
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“They all went to hell.”
Haunting…
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Evangeline was only a vengeful spirit summoned by Cypher as a stark reminder for Johnny about his personal betreyal of faith and spurned affection. Johhny left Evangeline who travelled back to New Orleans and died there before the plot of the film started.
@@translator074 Thank you for your input fpr 'movie' Evangeline. After seeing this movie, I read the book. Epiphany and Margaret were friends and both lived in NY.
Great in depth take on it...but...I am going to forget about it and do what I always do when I watch this again, one of the greatest and most underrated horror/noir films ever made: Take in the richly murky visual atmosphere, sound design, and Micky Rourke's acting tour de force. Criminal that he was not nominated for best actor, as he was absolutely brilliant in it. I personally feel that this film is a work of cinema art that defies absolute logistics analysis, but I love hearing such a detailed breakdown of its multiple meanings nonetheless.
I've always loved this movie but barely anyone I know has ever seen it. Awesome analysis.
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I’m actually a private investigator who’s terrified of chickens 🤣
I will not hire you for any mysteries involving motive for crossing the road. Please like, subscribe and share!
@@hammeredout8146 🤣 fair enough
sheeeeeyt 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Some good points here, I think the person who died in the church was a sacrifice as part of summoning lucifer, that's how I always thought of it
Actually, that makes a lot of sense. The point is that the devil is just randomly killing people without some kind of larger plan. Please like, subscribe and share!
Very nicely done. This gave me some food for thought. Cyphre lying to Angel about the murders is well within the realm of possibility. But the Woman in Black being the devil, I have a little trouble with. I can't see the devil cleaning up his (or her) own mess. I could see Cyphre as the devil and the Woman in Black as a minion.
Woman in black is not a woman. It’s a flash back of Johnny wearing a ceremonial robe.
The Woman in Black is the vengeful spirit of Evangeline Proudfoot - another stark reminder for Johnny of a personal betrayal.
This is the final screw for Alan Parker in this very sinister version of Faust. Originally a redemption story in which Margaret saves his love but here Evangeline sits in front of the electric chair waiting for Favourite's final downfall.
This is one of my favorites. I watched it when it first came out. I had to watch it several times to understand what was happening. At the end I was like duh 🙄
I just watched this movie, and it's a shame that they gave away so much during the introduction scene with Lucifer, gave the whole plot away... Still was a fun watch to see how Johnny "became" Harry... The one thing I can't figure out is why did it take Satan 12 years to find Johnny/Harry? Or did he wait for Johnny's daughter to grow up and be able to bear children?
That's a good question. I guess there needs to be this period of Harry being Harry for the story to work.
One of my favorite movies. I think i still have a copy on my hard drive. It was so easy to follow what lead up to the ending.
Great stuff! At the end there I noticed Harry’s reflection in the broken mirror somewhat matched his look with the nose protector.. (just an observation)
I think that there are a lot of sub plots cut out with vestigial stuff left in. I think that there was supposed to be more to the nose protector. Thanks for commenting. Please like, subscribe and share!
This is a fantastic analysis. I read the book Falling Angel and listened to the director’s commentary looking for answers, but only found more questions. Your take feels right!
If I could "pin" a comment to the top of the board, I would pin this one. You made my day, Nikki. Some of my friends think that I wrote this under an assumed name 🤣
Thank you. Ive seen this several times. But never truly understood it!!
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Huh... I saw this movie when it came out, and read the book soon after.
The movie was a pretty faithful adaptation of the book as I recall, except for moving a major part of the story from Harlem to Louisiana.
My basic take on the story was always that Johnny Favorite hid his condemned soul within Harry Angel. Favorite's body died, but his soul avoided hell by hiding out in the innocent man. In the end, the tragedy was that Harry was now also condemned, because of what Johnny Favorite had done while in control of his body.
I think that was the case in the book as well, but I have not studied them or anything.
Anyhow, I enjoyed the video, thanks.
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Loved the film when it came out. I think it was the first soundtrack LP I ever bought - Courtney Pine in his prime!
Angel Heart and Jacob's Ladder at the artistic inspiration for the original 3 Silent Hill games.
Can you recommend a good "primer" for Silent Hill? It sounds like I am missing out on something big.
@@hammeredout8146 Look up: Silent Hill 2 Is The Best Horror Game Ever Made for a pretty good intro to Silent Hill. I also suggest looking up A Uncanny Reality by Jacob Gellar for another good video.
I would say angel hear influenced true detective season 1 a bit too!
This channel is gonna go places. Great video.
This is as upbeat and optimistic as I would expect from "RazMatazz."
This is one movie from the 80s that can never be remade nor topped. Till this day, each time I watch it, it’s like trying to figure out Kubrick’s “2001”.
Angel Heart is revealed at the end. 2001 is open ended. Try Inception, which is also open ended (Who’s dream is it? There are websites that show something like 8 possible interpretations. Nolan truly made a masterpiece.)
Also try Hereditary. Make sure to watch it a 2nd time. It’s a lot like Angel Heart.
@@aieahi1 Nolan has amazing concepts, but he’s too in love with technique than storytelling. I got tired of watching Inception when DiCaprio and his team began acting like winter soldiers in the snow; the hell was that part about?
@@damiendsoul360 I agree. Was impressed that he kept open the possibility that it could be a dream by any of the main characters. Even at the end. I didn’t see it. Took reading a website to see it. But after a re-watch, agreed with the website.
@@aieahi1 The movie also makes me want to punch Mickey Rouke for ruining his features as he currently is. The man was the true embodiment of Marlon Brando in the 80s. Such charisma and raw magnetism on his screen, yet look at him today. #smh
An absolute masterpiece with one of the best endings ever
I did like your interpretation it fell in line with my own when I watched angel heart, I assumed as well that the woman in black was the true devil and Louis was more like a personae. Even the ending I broadly agreed upon where something didn't seem right, that Harry could well have been innocent yet was convinced that he was guilty which can be fairly common in police interrogations, where they will convince a distressed innocent person that they committed the crime through confidence and evidence.
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One of the best occult horror movies ever. Because we see famous actors being much younger , you know it's an older movie. But the movie has aged so well, it could have made today.
There’s no “special permits” required to clean up a crime scene. My best friend’s roommate killed his 2 girlfriends and then himself in their apartment. The room where it happened was contaminated with blood and brains. The cops just left it, no one came to clean it up.
I varies from state to state. Also, the cops wouldn't clean it, the landlord would. I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
Brilliant film! Propelled by a stellar cast, lead by the amazing work of Mickey Rourke! Who in "my world" Won the Oscar Best Actor Award for his role as Harry Angel. Simply stunning performance imo 😎👍
I love this movie and have been waiting to hear someone else's perspective on it.
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This was excellent Angel heart is one of my favorite movies and I’m a big Mickey Rourke fan I thought your ideas and thoughts and conclusions were really very good
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This movie coincided with my initial coke addiction, so much confusion,fear ,& powerlessness over my own sanity & situation.circa March 1987.
I'm sorry to hear that. How are you now? I hope you're better.
Still dabbling at '67....amazing.not as confused, quite lucky,actually.thnx
@@homoerectus744 Okay. Please like, subscribe, share and not do cocaine.
@@hammeredout8146 otay!
“Cocaines a helluva drug” - Rick James.
I got to admit deniro played a good devil. Better than pacino.. mickey looks so normal. Dark gritty streets. You can feel the humidity in the swamp. Alan parker always show the filth in the world. Look at angelas ashes, pink floyd the wall, and the worst, FAME
Very interesting analysis and agreed on both souls but I respectfully disagree re Johnny taking over Harry to do the murders. Angel did the murders under Cyphre's influence and this is stated in the film.
Angel: "I didn't kill no-one!"
Cyphre: I'm afraid you did Johnny. All done by your hand...guided by mine".
Cyphre was sending Angel on a fool's errand, setting him up to do the murders which would lead to his execution after apprehension which would send his soul to Hell.
There's a theory which I think has merit that Cyphre set Angel up to find the vase which when broken, frees Angel's soul leaving only JOhnny's to take. But again very interesting analysis and good presentation.
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absolutely this, Harry was under the influence of Cypher when committing the murders. In the film, the points and which it shows the dream sequences are when Harry has been taken over by the devil. Subconsciously, Harry maybe aware he's Johnny. At the very least he may have recollections of Johnny's memories, memories of ceremonies involving chickens. Perhaps this is where his aversion comes from. Chickens remind Harry at a subconscious level that he's evil.
Good vs. evil.
Even though Johnny owes his soul to the devil, Harry’s soul is free to choose. Perhaps, it was divine intervention that allowed Harry to get hurt in the war and live on borrowed time. Now as Johnny will likely get death penalty for multiple murders, Harry will be freed as well. It’s like the devil knows he can’t have Harry so he influenced Johnny to commit these murders in a heinous fashion to get Johnny on the death row and get his soul while also freeing Harry.
It would have been interesting to see the conclusion where Harry realizes that he doesn’t owe anything to the devil, only Johnny does.
this made a huge impression to a young me. I loved mickey rourke in this. And of course Lisa Bonet. I don't think i ever rewatched it. i should.
Loved the analysis….
Margaret helped them find Harold, was a part of the sacrifice and had Harold’s dog tags… how she didn’t realize Harold was Johnny when he visited her? I get he had a new face and could not remember but she knew the name. I don’t get how the other culprits did not know either. He gave them his name. 🤔
I think that she figured out that Harry was Johnny about halfway through the conversation. The killers didn't know what the name of "the boy" was. Margaret put the dog tags in the vase without reading them.
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@@hammeredout8146but She read Harold 's Hand..and of course She read in the past Johnnys Hand..ok for the plastic surgery at the face..but what about the hands..the voice,and the eyes of your ex boyfriend.the Reading Hand ,i think Its a big mistake in the movie.
@@k-asp3r754 I think that Margaret figured it out during the reading but didn't yell out "Aah! You're Johnny!" I don't think it's a mistake.
@@hammeredout8146 ok..but why She should be upset with Johnny to Say "hes dead to me"..theres no reason for that..or Its not well explained in the movie.
Waw. You nailed it.
The confusion between what you do and who you are is great in many people.
What you are cannot change not be defined or measured. It is unfathomable. Unlimited infinite.
Do you remember the first time you where aware? Do you remember loosing consciousness? How could you?
What you do, that starts and end.
That is of this world.
To make you forget you have a body and instead think you are a body or a mind or a feeling.
That is what a good puppeteer does.
That is what you do.
"The knife is dangerous
The knife is helpful
The knife is" and the rest is projection.
It makes a thrilling story.
So be honest.
What do you want?
Are you board of peace and want chaos for a change?
Now you realise that it is not what you want.
Things are not interesting.
You pay attention and they become interesting.
So, you pulling away negates what is.
That is how negative experience are generated. And the cycle of grief starts. Until surrender.
😻
uuuuh . . . yes!
A great film that doesn't need to be "explained." All you have to do is watch it, and pay attention. It only seems confusing and complicated, right up until you find the answers. It is very simple.
A great essay "explaining" a film that doesn't need to be dismissed out of hand.
The devil erased the consequences of the blood. It's still there, but noT within his reality anymore.
It's the devil that meters out negative consequences as he is the sadist
I always thought the nose guard was a nod to Chinatown.
No, Parker doesn't really do arbitrary homages like that.
nice theory, i completly agree, its more of a faustian gamble than a devil-pact
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I appreciate your chicken theory and this video. Yes Parker’s commentary is quite vague and non deliberate. The chicken to me is quite obvious. It’s a trace of Johnny in Harry. Several of these are dropped. Harry is afraid of chickens because subconsciously Johnny’s memories are felt. Johnny practiced witchcraft obviously. And we see how the chickens are used in their rituals during the “Mambo” worship dance and rituals. These traces of Johnny in Harry are all through the movie of course. Most apparent with the song. That SPOOKY song “If I could just hold your charms” song 🎵. Harry plays those notes just doodling on Margaret’s piano. Wow u put a lot of stuff in there perhaps not intended. But cool video.
Yes, Johnny sacrificed chickens, but that isn't enough to, logically, make Harry afraid of chickens. Also, it doesn't account for the other references to chickens, such as the egg devouring scene.
You are correct about the song. I left it out, not because it contradicted my thesis, but because it wasn't relevant to my thesis, and it had already been discussed in other essays, most notably CineG's many videos about "Angel Heart."
Please check out part two: czcams.com/video/v1Xc5VQGd14/video.html and please like, subscribe and share.
Why doesn’t anyone ever mention that Winesap and
Macintosh, the names of the lawyers who tempt Harry to take the case, are the names of apples? A la, The Garden of Eden.
H
Hello Marilyn. Yes, I caught that (along with Harold Angel = Herald Angel). I didn't mention it as I try to trim down these essays to a central thesis. Please like, subscribe and share.
i loved this movie since i watched it back in 87 but , over the years whenever i mentioned it to people, nobody seemed to have heard of it- its good to see that it is eventually getting the recognition it deserves- it has to be in the top 10 (near the top for me) of horror films ever made- i never really got all the fuss about mickey rourke until i saw this film- he is brilliant in it
Haven't seen this for over 20 yrs...book is good too.
Yes. I always read the book if the movie I am analyzing is based on a book.
Some weird shit right here. Mickey Rourke did some of his best work here
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Harry's name has 'Angel' as last name indicating the devil is taking over the soul of an angel
I am not much of a horror aficionado, but I watched this movie yrs ago. I didnt really understand it, but it scared the $h -out of me!
Don’t like gory “slasher” films, bec of my aversion to seeing gore. But this spooky, esoteric hocus pocus give me nightmares, bec it seems real!
I disagree with this analysis. There weren’t 2 souls in the same body. The Devil was never fooled. Johnny lost his memory, which means he forgot about his deal with the Devil. He thinks he’s Angel. The Devil is merely revealing to Johnny the truth. The Devil always knew. The story is told through Angel’s eyes because the viewer learns at the same time as Angel that he’s no Angel, he’s Johnny. Yes, the name plays a part.
What happens to Angel’s soul is irrelevant to the story. It’s Johnny learning he tried to fool the Devil and failed.
Exactly. The Devil , Robert DeNiro, says he " doesn't like messy accounts".
He knows but must bring back to Harold who he really is
The end where the child is pointing at Harry, reminds me of the painting: Madonna on the Rocks where the child is pointing at the other child to ID as Christ. Lisa Bonet’s character name Epiphany. Mix of occult, Catholic and Vodun, so interesting. Saw this back in high school the ending gave me the creeps.
Originally I think the man with the cane walking down the alley at the beginning was meant to be lucifer as well, arriving to claim what is his
Yes, the man with the cane is definitely the devil.
Great video but not sure I agree with your conclusion. I think Johnny’s soul goes to hell, but Angel’s soul ends up with the angels since he’s (relatively) innocent.
I really don't see anything in the text of the film to back that up.
@@hammeredout8146 Johnny made a deal with the devil and Angel is a completely innocent murder victim, so why would he go to hell?
I agree I’ve watched this movie several times and I definitely don’t agree or see what he saw in movie
And what if?.. The fans are a reference of time. When the fan change rotation direction, time goes back or stops.
Yes, that's exactly right. Check out part 2 czcams.com/video/v1Xc5VQGd14/video.html
really enjoyed this one. was looking for it
Beautiful explanation!
Love the Swan Lake at the end.
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I ended up using the Swan Lake composition as the ending to all but one of my videos (you'll have to watch all the videos to find the outlier 😁)
Bravo . I always liked that movie. I need to see it again before I finish this clip. Thanks😁
It's a fun read but kind of a stretch. The movie doesn't make sense if Harry/Favorite didn't commit the murders, and there's no reason to believe he didn't. William Hjortsberg said that his book Falling Angel was inspired by Oedipus Rex. In other words, it's a story about a guy whose only protection is a lie, and he himself is the one who finally strips away that lie: the detective who discovers that he's the killer. It's unclear why Cypher needs Harry to do this-he seems to know Harry's true identity from the beginning, so couldn't he just drag him off to hell?-but maybe, as you suggest, there's a spell that prevents Cypher from acting directly. All he can do is tempt Harry to keep digging until Harry himself unweaves the spell. As in Oedipus, the truth does not set you free, it destroys you.
I loved your read on the woman in black. To tell you the truth, I always dismissed her as so much Alan Parker window-dressing, like the chickens and the glowing eyes on Hot Stuff the Li'l Devil. But you've got me thinking she has a bigger part to play.
John Denver’s Birthday 12/31/43 aka ‘Johnny Favorite’
Good job, great in explaining Harry Angel is essentially innocent, so to point out a phylosofical meaning of Angel Heart , that is the "unfairness" of life (his name is maybe black humorous, but still a hint )