FEATURE

The Eighteenth Angel - A Movie by David Seltzer

Lucky for David Seltzer, he wrote this movie.  His other works include, Bird on the Wire, Shining Through, and most recently, My Giant. If it weren't for this one piece of work, David Seltzer's career would have meant nothing to me.

The Eighteenth Angel is the type of horror story I can really appreciate.   Dark prophecies, ancient texts, bizarre rituals, and a beautiful young woman in peril.  Rachael Lee Cook (The Babysitters Club, The House of Yes, and She's All That) plays Lucy Stanton a very beautiful young woman who has been selected by an Order of Etruscan monks to be one of the 'angels' prepared for the coming of Satan.   In moments ripped directly from the classic movie, The Omen, those who stand in this order's way are eliminated.  Father Simeon, played by Maximillian Schell, leads the order in the Satanic rites along with a genetic engineer who has been working on the cloning process, to create 18 perfect bodies for the evil one to choose from.

Most of the acting in this movie is very reminiscent of a Cinimax release, something that is to be expected for a direct to video type movie.  The film didn't skimp on sets though, giving some very visually exciting moments.  The key problems I have with this movie are the weaknesses in the fabric of the story.  This young woman's mother gets killed, so she goes to Italy to model.  I had a difficult time buying it, and trust me, I am very good at suspending my disbelief.

Overall, this movie is a good rental.  Seen in conjunction with The Omen, Rosemary's Baby, and Prince of Darkness, you might actually have a pretty good movie marathon.