‘God Told Me To’ Buy This Larry Cohen Cult Classic [4K Review]
Anthony Arrigo
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Larry Cohen’s filmography is an excellent example how of a low-budget auteur could work within any genre successfully when given a good script, a little money, and boundless ambition. Don’t forget he did start out with the likes of Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, Francis Ford Coppola—New York City filmmakers who wanted to tell their stories housed within the fabled city.
Although Cohen was mostly a writer, something he began doing in 1966 with the sequel Return of the Magnificent Seven, he did direct 18 original films. Nearly half of those are celebrated cult titles but the most critically appraised of the bunch is God Told Me To (1976), a chilling tale of cult worship and psychic control. Cohen’s paranoid thriller has a frightening setup and presents an engrossing mystery, only for the film to go a bit too out there in the third act leading to an uneven finale.
A man perched high atop a water tower fires indiscriminately at pedestrians below, killing 15. Multiple people are stabbed at a supermarket. The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade sees a police officer gun down innocents. A man murders his family. To NYPD detective Peter Nicholas (Tony Lo Bianco) all of these killings are completely unrelated save for one chilling confession by each of those responsible: “God told me to”.
Detective Nicholas catches a break when he finds a connection between one of the killers and a man named Bernard Phillips (Richard Lynch), whom many follow in a religious cult. Phillips’ own mother attacks Nicholas when he visits her for questioning, leading to uncovering her prior bizarre claims of alien abduction and virgin birth. Tenuous though it may be, Nicholas is convinced Phillips is the link between the murders. But how could one man influence these seemingly normal people to kill so savagely?
It’s hard to imagine better casting for the role of an otherworldly cult figure than Richard Lynch, who has such a striking look with that burned visage looming beneath a waterfall of platinum blonde hair. He has a calm presence, practically hypnotic. Keen eyes should also spot the late Andy Kaufman as the police officer who goes on a rampage at the St. Patrick’s Day parade. All of that footage looks even crazier when you know Cohen shot at the historic gathering without a permit. I love stolen shots in NYC because they’re always teeming with so much life.
Cohen does a fantastic job of building his mystery, presenting a New York City gripped by fear of all-out assault at any moment. There is a palpable sense of urgency as Detective Nicholas races from one grisly scene to another, desperately searching for a shred of evidence to stop these killings. But how can you rationalize a defense like “God told me to”? Nothing else links the crimes. Lo Bianco does a good job of conveying Nicholas’ frustration. After he receives a small break the case begins to crack wide and he makes some startling revelations about himself, too.
It’s at this point, in the third act, when Cohen’s script goes into some wild places and it is to his credit the movie never becomes silly despite the absurd plot. I didn’t find any of the answers provided sufficient satisfaction but, then, when a film starts with such a captivating mystery the eventual solution is rarely that exciting. The chase always beats the catch.
Blue Underground continues to upgrade their catalog titles to 4K Ultra HD and this latest release comes seven years after its Blu-ray debut. The 1.85:1 2160p picture is another great effort, though perhaps not as dazzling as other titles. New York City’s gritty ‘70s aesthetic is on full display – for my money nothing looks better than 1970s films in 4K. The film grain looks lively and cinematic. Colors, lights, and neon are all richly saturated and popping off the screen. The image takes a little hit when it gets dark, losing some detail in shadows and causing grain to spike, but overall the clarity and depth of the picture look fantastic.
Audio comes in multiple flavors: English Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA 5.1, DTS-HD MA 1.0, and French Dolby Digital 2.0, with subtitles available in English SDH, French, and Spanish. If your system can process it, Atmos is the way to go since it offers a greater sense of immersion. Dialogue is given priority alongside composer Frank Cordell’s moody music. Purists will want to stick with the mono track, which has been faithfully restored with no hissing or pops.
DISC ONE: 4K
There are two audio commentary tracks included. The first is an older commentary with writer/producer/director Larry Cohen. The second is a new track with film historians Steve Mitchell and Troy Howarth.
God Told Me To advertising features a theatrical trailer and five TV spots, all in 4K.
Demon (the alternate title used in some markets) advertising features a theatrical trailer and two TV spots, all in 4K.
DISC TWO: Blu-ray
Both audio commentary tracks are included here.
“Featurettes” contains the following:
– “Heaven & Hell on Earth – Interview with star Tony Lo Bianco” runs for 11 minutes and 31 seconds.
– “Bloody Good Times – Interview with special effects artist Steve Neill” runs for 9 minutes and 12 seconds.
– “God Told Me To Bone – New Beverly Q&A with Larry Cohen” runs for 21 minutes and 21 seconds.
– “Lincoln Center Q&A with Larry Cohen” runs for 8 minutes and 8 seconds.
The same advertising for God Told Me To and Demon are on this disc as well, along with a Poster & Still Gallery that contains 57 images.
Special Features:
- BRAND NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM FROM THE ORIGINAL UNCENSORED CAMERA NEGATIVE
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- NEW DOLBY ATMOS TRACK, plus DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 and 5.1, French Dolby Digital 2.0
- NEW Audio Commentary with Film Historians Steve Mitchell and Troy Howarth
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Producer/Director Larry Cohen
- Heaven & Hell On Earth – Interview with Star Tony Lo Bianco
- Bloody Good Times – Interview with Special Effects Artist Steve Neill
- God Told Me To Bone – New Beverly Q&A with Larry Cohen
- Lincoln Center Q&A with Larry Cohen
- Theatrical Trailers
- TV Spots
- Poster & Still Gallery
- Optional English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles for the main feature
- First pressing only: Limited Edition embossed slipcover featuring new artwork + reversible sleeve with classic artwork
- REGION-FREE
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God Told Me To
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Special Features
Summary
Larry Cohen’s filmography deserves all the upgraded love it can get and this is one of his best titles. Blue Underground’s 4K release offers an appreciable upgrade in a/v quality, along with numerous bonus features, all contained within a spiffy lenticular slipcover and case.
