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The Rosary Murders

Play trailer Poster for The Rosary Murders R 1987 1h 44m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 39% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Detroit is plagued by a series of murders of priests and nuns, with each victim found holding a black rosary. The police seem powerless to stop the serial killer and the Church can't protect its denizens, but when the progressive and charismatic Father Robert Koesler (Donald Sutherland) hears a confession from the murderer, he isn't sure what to do. Can he respect the Seal of Confession even if it means putting more lives, perhaps even his own, in jeopardy?
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The Rosary Murders

Critics Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 09/24/2015
C+
A slow-going thriller. Go to Full Review
Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily 09/01/2005
3/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/22/2005
2/5
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice 08/27/2004
3/5
Explores the dark connection between guilt, sex, and Catholicism. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Bruce M @BruceMc Sep 29 A ridiculously bad movie: poorly directed, poorly acted, a nonsensical script (surprisingly, co-written by Elmore Leonard). A main character disappears about half-way through the movie only to show up in the final shot. Just a terrible, slow, agonizing waste of time. See more Jelisije J Jul 17 Not necessarily a bad film, but with a very slow paced that didnt really keep you engaged with non interesting characters that left me felt I was wasting my time with what I thought would be a promising story. See more j F 05/06/2024 Sutherland was good, and gave an insight into the burden of being a priest. But yes, slow pacing. See more steve d 01/07/2023 Too slow to be more than passable. See more 03/07/2022 Well my reason for liking this movie is probably bias for a couple of reason's; however that is why I only gave the film 4 1/2 stars. I claim bias simply because 1.)I am a Detroit native 2.)I went to and graduated from Holy Redeemer High School; so you probably get the gist as to why I am obsessed with this film. The author of the book this is based on was my pastor! This movie could have gotten better attention production wise, but the plot and the sincere acting of Donald Sutherland helps tremendously. Personally I like how the motive or order that the killer carries out the killing's with goes off of the 10 Commandment's is pretty neat, I mean seriously what are the odd's that a bunch of religious people have names that are pretty close or darn near similar to the 10 Commandment's!? If you enjoy Murder/Mystery type movies you should definitely give this forgotten gem a viewing. Bonus points if you watch it during Lent/Holy Week. See more a.l.jude p @judebd 07/11/2021 Terribly underrated, at the plight of religious arguments are disputed. See more Read all reviews
The Rosary Murders

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Movie Info

Synopsis Detroit is plagued by a series of murders of priests and nuns, with each victim found holding a black rosary. The police seem powerless to stop the serial killer and the Church can't protect its denizens, but when the progressive and charismatic Father Robert Koesler (Donald Sutherland) hears a confession from the murderer, he isn't sure what to do. Can he respect the Seal of Confession even if it means putting more lives, perhaps even his own, in jeopardy?
Director
Fred Walton
Production Co
The Samuel Goldwyn Company, First Take, Rosary Take One
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 28, 1987, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.7M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Surround
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