The Seventh Sign

The Seventh Sign is a 1988 American apocalyptic drama horror film written by Clifford and Ellen Green and directed by Carl Schultz. The title and plot reference the seven seals described in the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament of the Bible. The film was released on April 1, 1988 by Columbia Pictures Entertainment under the TriStar Pictures label, received negative reviews and grossed $18.8 million at the box office.[1]

For the album by Yngwie Malmsteen, see The Seventh Sign (album).
The Seventh Sign
Theatrical release poster
Directed byCarl Schultz
Produced byTed Field
Robert W. Cort
Written byClifford Green
Ellen Green
Starring
Music byJack Nitzsche
CinematographyJuan Ruiz Anchía
Edited byCaroline Biggerstaff
Production
company
Distributed byTriStar Pictures
Release date
  • April 1, 1988 (1988-04-01)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$18.8 million

Plot

Around the world, unusual phenomena are occurring that bear resemblance to signs of the Biblical apocalypse; these include a mass death of sea life in Haiti and a devastating freeze in the Middle East, and at each of these locations, a mysterious traveler opens a sealed envelope just prior to the event taking place. The Vatican tasks Father Lucci with investigating these events, though Lucci advises that they are all either hoaxes or have scientific explanations.

Concurrently to this, Abby Quinn, a pregnant woman living in California, prepares for the birth of her child. Her husband, Russell, is a defense lawyer representing Jimmy Szaragosa, a man with Down syndrome, who is on trial for murdering his incestuous parents and claiming that he did so because of God's teaching. Jimmy is convicted of the crime.

For additional income, Abby and Russell rent a room to the mysterious traveler, who identifies himself as David Bannon. Soon after, Abby begins to have terrible nightmares of a man resembling David being struck down by a soldier, who then asks "would you die for him?" of her. In addition Abby physically reacts inexplicably. Abby also learns of the apocalyptic signs that have occurred, and combined with her nightmares and David's suspicious behavior, she begins to worry that something terrible is taking place. She snoops through David's papers and discovers an ancient note that leads her to believe that he intends to harm her child. When Abby confronts David about this, he tells her that God's grace is empty and soon, no souls will remain to be given to newborn people. Abby panics and stabs David, only for him to shrug off the injury and claim that he "cannot die again." To add to Abby's shock and horror the stab wound David sustains bursts with light rather then blood.

It becomes apparent that he is actually the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Abby's nightmares are visions of his original crucifixion, and she is the reincarnation of Seraphia, the woman who offered Jesus water only to be turned away by Cartaphilus, who was Pilate's porter who struck Jesus.

The signs of the apocalypse continue to unfold and eventually cause a giant storm. Abby connects with Avi, a rabbinical student who helps her understand the events. Father Lucci, who has come to California as part of his investigation, finds her and hears her concerns. However, while meeting with Lucci, Abby spots a ring on his finger identical to the one that Cartaphilus wore and learns that Lucci is Cartaphilus himself who was cursed to wander the Earth until Christ's return to judge humanity. He intends to allow the apocalypse to take place so that his curse will finally be broken.

Abby flees from Lucci with Avi's aid, and together the two of them find a Bible to learn what will happen next. They discover that the sixth sign will be a solar eclipse that will take place the next day, meaning that the fifth sign — the tortured death of a martyr for God's cause — must take place very soon. Abby realizes that clemency has been denied to Jimmy and his execution will be the fifth sign. In a panic, she drives to the prison to stop the execution; however, Lucci has already infiltrated the prison. As Abby approaches, Lucci kills Jimmy and wounds Abby and is taken away by the guards.

The eclipse begins along with a catastrophic earthquake. Despondent over her failure to save Jimmy and the rest of humanity, Abby goes into labor and is rushed through the disaster to a nearby hospital. Despite the best efforts of Russell and the doctors to help her, the child's heart stops beating as Abby gives birth, thus fulfilling the seventh and final sign, the birth of the soulless child. However, Abby has another vision of her past as Seraphia and remembers Cartaphilus' question. Finally finding true hope, Abby answers the question in the affirmative—"I will die for him"—and reaches out to her child, who revives and holds her finger. Her soul is thus transferred to the child, saving him at the cost of her own life. This act of faith ends the apocalypse. Jesus appears in the hospital and tells Russell that Abby's sacrifice has refilled the Hall of Souls, ensuring that humanity will continue to survive.

Cast

Release and reception

The film was released theatrically in the United States by TriStar Pictures in April 1988. It grossed $18,875,011 at the box office.[2] It received negative reviews from critics, and holds a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 20 reviews.

Home media

The film was released on DVD in the United States by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in 1998.[3] Scream Factory released the film on Blu-ray on September 11, 2018, featuring new interviews with actors Michael Biehn, Peter Friedman and John Taylor, screenwriters Clifford and Ellen Green, and director Carl Schultz, as well as two television spots.

See also

References
  1. CANBY3, VINCENT (April 1, 1988). "The Seventh Sign (1988) Review/Film; The World in Very Big Trouble". The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
  2. "The Seventh Sign". boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 2011-04-13.
  3. "The Seventh Sign (DVD)". dvdempire.com. Retrieved 2011-04-13.
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