Force of Darkness

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Force of Darkness
Force of Darkness
Directed byAlan Hauge
Written byJack Baylam
StarringMel Novak
Doug Shanklin
Loren Cedar
Mark Milan
Marlin Fischer
Eddie Hailey
Gordon Rigsby
Eddie Hailey
Donald Sommers
CinematographyKen Lamkin
Edited byGeorge Simich
Music byJim Stipech
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Force of Darkness is a 1985 American horror film about demonic possession. A woman witnesses a murder and a detective investigating the case believes the killer was possessed by the devil. It starred Mel Novak, Doug Shanklin, Loren Cedar, Mark Milan, Marlin Fischer, Gordon Rigsby and Eddie Hailey.

Story[edit]

This is a film about a man who is under demonic possession. Gloria Ramsey witnesses the murder of her man who is a doctor. Detective Ben Johnson believes that Gloria is innocent of the crime and he goes after the killer who was the doctor's last patient, who has multiple personality disorder. Detective Johnson believes it's demonic possession that is involved.[1][2] Conrad who is the killer roams the streets looking for victims. Detective Johnson has a job to stop him.[3] The quest takes him to Alcatraz prison.[4] Alcatraz prison is not empty.[5] There are people who are staying there. The killer's possession may be related to demons that reside in Alcatraz.[6][7] The demons that possess Conrad have an interest in Gloria and they beckon her to come to Alcatraz. A final confrontation is due in the prison that has been closed for 22 years.[8]

Background[edit]

The film story was by Jack Baylam.

The video release slick says, The EXORSIST opened the door and now someone has made contact.[9]

Possible Christian connection[edit]

There's a possible Christian connection to the film. Eddie Hailey who played Murry in the film, and Gene Redlon in Another Life had been a born again Christian for some years prior to this film. While on the set of Another Life, he would lead the cast in prayer each morning.[10][11] Mel Novak who played Conrad in the film has been an ordained Christian pastor for decades.[12][13] James Gabriel Stipech who composed the music for the film also worked on a pro-life film called The Silent Scream which was released the previous year in 1984.[14][15] He had been a member of Christian rock band The Way in 1976.[16]

Cast[edit]

Judd Hamilton singles
Name Role Notes #
Mel Novak Conrad
Doug Shanklin Detective Ben Johnson Credited as Douglas Alan Shanklin
Loren Cedar Gloria Ramsey
Mark Milan Tom Ramsey
Marlin Fischer Ron Hubbard II
Eddie Hailey Murry
Gordon Rigsby Dr. Rogers
Christopher Roberts Prison Guard
Clifford Hauge Witness
Florence Hauge Witness
Charles Robert Smithe Police officer #1
William Douglas Police officer #2
Thomas R. Hess Police officer #3 Credited as Tom Hess
Deke Anderson Punk Hoodlum [17][18][19]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Scream of the Dead - Force of Darkness (1985)
  2. ^ Letterboxd - Force of Darkness 1985 Directed by Alan Hauge
  3. ^ Cinema Terror, June 24, 2013 - Force of Darkness
  4. ^ Action Movie Express - Dark Force 1985 (Force of Darkness)
  5. ^ Rotten Tomatoes - Force of Darkness (1985)
  6. ^ 80's Horror Movies - Force of Darkness (1985) Archived 2018-06-26 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Reel San Francisco Stories: An Annotated Filmography of the Bay Area, By Christopher Pollock - Page 85 Force of Darkness
  8. ^ Action Movie Express - Dark Force 1985 (Force of Darkness)
  9. ^ AllMovie - Force of Darkness (1985)
  10. ^ Filmweb - filmografia, actor, rozwiń
  11. ^ The Washington Post, May 9, 1982 - Another Life By S and ra G. Boodman
  12. ^ Filmweb - Mel Novak, filmografia, actor
  13. ^ Official Website of Mel Novak - Biography
  14. ^ KinoPoisk - James Gabriel Stipech
  15. ^ Letterboxd - The Silent Scream
  16. ^ Classic Christian Rock, Sep 25, 2015 - The Way, "The Way...wait! Archived 2018-06-28 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ VideoCollector.co.uk - Force of Darkness (1985), Cast:
  18. ^ Filmweb - Force of Darkness (1985)
  19. ^ Imdb - Force of Darkness (1985), Full Cast & Crew

External links[edit]