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God Told Me To

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5.9/10 • 149

1976-10-221h 30m

CrimeHorrorScience Fiction

The people of this city are being terrorized. The crimes have no motives. The killers have only one explanation...

Devout Catholic detective Peter Nicholas investigates a series of murders around New York City, perpetrated by men who claim that God told them to do it. After the police department denies any religious underpinnings to the murders and suspends him, Nicholas begins to connect the murders to a messianic cult figure in town.

Directors
Larry Cohen
Editors
Chris Lebenzon

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Tony Lo Bianco

    Tony Lo Bianco

    Peter J. Nicholas

  2. Deborah Raffin

    Deborah Raffin

    Casey Forster

  3. Sandy Dennis

    Sandy Dennis

    Martha Nicholas

  4. Sylvia Sidney

    Sylvia Sidney

    Elizabeth Mullin

  5. Sam Levene

    Sam Levene

    Everett Lukas

  6. Robert Drivas

    Robert Drivas

    David Morten

  7. Mike Kellin

    Mike Kellin

    Deputy Commissioner

  8. Richard Lynch

    Richard Lynch

    Bernard Phillips

  9. Sammy Williams

    Sammy Williams

    Harold Gorman

Reviews1

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Wuchak Avatar

Wuchak

Dec 22, 2023

7/10

It’s, um… creative A detective in Manhattan (Tony Lo Bianco) is puzzled by a string of murders committed by unconnected people who, curiously, claim God told them to do it. Caught between his girlfriend (Deborah Raffin) and ex-wife (Sandy Dennis), he traces the crimes to a mysterious long-haired man (Richard Lynch). Proficiently made by Larry Cohen, “God Told Me To” (1976) starts out like a brooding detective mystery/thriller with Clint Eastwood, but adds an eerie psychological/religious component and, finally, high concept sci-fi. It’s sort of a 70’s version of “Five Million Years to Earth” with the artsy pretentiousness of the soon-to-come “Wolfen.” “The Brood” is another good comparison, as is the 1978 version of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” Yet, it’s unique and so comparisons are difficult and unsatisfactory. Critics complain that the story is outlandish and too confusing. Roger Ebert, for example, gave it 1/4 stars. However, if you keep a positive and open mind, it’s not too difficult to figure out upon reflection. Those who make the effort will want to see it again whereupon everything makes better sense. The movie runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot in New York City and Pinewood Studios, which is just west of London. GRADE: B

Media

  • God Told Me To poster
  • God Told Me To poster
  • God Told Me To poster
  • God Told Me To poster
  • God Told Me To poster
  • God Told Me To poster
  • God Told Me To poster
  • God Told Me To poster
  • God Told Me To poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
new york citydetective