Communion (1989)

Director:

Philippe Mora

Writers (WGA):

Whitley Strieber (book)
Whitley Strieber (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 November 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

On December 26th, 1985, Whitley Strieber had a dream. Weeks later, he discovered his family had the same dream. Months later, he made the most shocking discovery of his life. Now, you will discover it.

Plot:

Whitley Strieber goes with his family and some friends to his holiday home in the forest. They experience some weird occurances...

Plot Keywords:

Alien Abduction | Alien | Psychological Drama | UFO | Alien Contact

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Christopher Walken	...	Whitley Strieber
Lindsay Crouse	...	Anne Strieber
Frances Sternhagen	...	Dr. Janet Duffy
Andreas Katsulas	...	Alex
Terri Hanauer	...	Sarah
Joel Carlson	...	Andrew Strieber
John Dennis Johnston	...	Fireman
Dee Dee Rescher	...	Mrs. Greenberg
Aileen Fitzpatrick	...	Mother
R.J. Miller	...	Father
Holly Fields	...	Praying Mantis Girl
Paula Shaw	...	Woman from Apartment
Juliet Sorcey	...	Second Grade Girl
Tifni Twitchell	...	Teacher
Joshua Miller	...	Tall Boy (as Joshua John Miller)

Runtime:

USA:107 min | Netherlands:101 min | Germany:106 min (video)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Singapore:PG | Australia:M | Spain:18 | UK:15 | USA:R | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, California, USA

Company:

Allied Vision Ltd.

Trivia:

While serving as executive producer, author Whitley Strieber, whose experiences serve as the basis of the film, expressed concerns about Christopher Walken's abilities in portraying him. When Strieber finally told Walken that he might be portraying him as a little too crazy, Walken replied, "If the shoe fits."

Goofs:

Continuity: As Whitley opens the closet to find the teddy bear he opens the right closet door. When filmed from the inside, both doors are open and he then proceeds to close the left door.

Quotes:

Alex: Take us HOME Whitley!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. (1991)

Soundtrack:

PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ

Intelligently handled film about a usually less-than-intelligently handled subject

First off, let me say that I'm a tad biased, as I have never failed to enjoy Christopher Walken's film roles. His characters are always quirky but always Walken...in much the same way every character Cary Grant or John Wayne played was always Cary Grant or John Wayne. He has a personality that is difficult to hide behind another persona, but which always adds a little something to it.

This is a suitably creepy film, but is very realistically and believably handled, given the fantastic story matter. The visitors in this movie aren't quite the sadistic neo-vivisectionists of Fire in the Sky, but they are still unsettling. The blue men almost remind one of something out of Star Wars, but the presence of the willowy aliens keep that impression well in the background.

Walken carries the film, especially in his sojourns aboard the aliens' craft. One is never quite sure what is really happening...oft times it is like something out of an early David Lynch movie...lying on the borderline between funny and nightmarish.

The film does make you think about all angles of the situation, especially when you consider the point of views and personalities of the people at the abduction support group that Walken's character goes to, and his reaction to it.

The special effects are excellent...not gaudy, but quite realistic (for lack of a better term).

I've seen the real Whitley Strieber on television and read a few of his novels. Walken is definitely not Strieber, but I think he is the only actor who could've made this movie work.