Revelation (2001)

Here’s a forgotten supernatural thriller which actually predates The Da Vinci Code (the book came out in 2003, but Angels and Demons came of course out in year 2000 – but I doubt that book inspired Revelation in anyway) in more than one way, but still stands on it’s own legs. Even if it don’t have the mega-budget like The Da Vinci Code-movie had, it’s still above average mumbo jumbo-movie with conspiracies, religious humbug, secret codes and Udo Kier as the bad guy.

Terence Stamp is Magnus Martel, a reclusive billionaire who is obsessed with ancient art and legends. His son (James D’Arcy), a cryptology genius, who just comes out from prison is recruited directly to help his father solve old codes together with a lot of other experts in history and language. One of them is an alchemist, Mira (Natasha Wightman), and of course a mutual interested between them quickly evolves. But a secret organisation, maybe with connection to a very hot place, is after the secret… After a massacre at the research center the son and Mira have to escape and solve the puzzle before Udo Kier!

I watched Revelation on VHS around ten years ago, and I thought it was a decent movie. Not a masterpiece, but filled with all the silly stuff that I enjoy so much: Rennes-le-Château, secret codes and an overload of conspiracies. Sometimes it’s even hard to understand ever lead that our heroes uncover, but everything lead to a satisfying ending which don’t explains everything. One little twist is directly copied on Dan Browns bestseller, which was kinda fun. Yeah, I guess that Revelation in the end is a lot of bullshit stacked on top of each other, but it entertains me and leaves me with a taste of more thrillers in the same vein.

If you can live with lack of logic and have an open mind for religious stupidity, I guess this movie can be a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun for me at least, if that means something. If you don’t like the movie, just watch it for Liam Cunningham (Argento’s The Card Player), Derek Jacobi and the master of supporting roles, Vernon Dobtcheff, in quite small roles. And of course Udo Kier and Terence Stamp!

I can’t write so much more interesting about Revelation, except I think you should give a try. It’s cheap on DVD at least.