Movie Description
Based on a novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte (THE CLUB DUMAS) and coscripted by director Roman Polanski, THE NINTH GATE was Polanski's first feature after a long break following the release of 1995's DEATH AND THE MAIDEN--in between, there was an aborted project that faltered when designated star John Travolta opted out. Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) is a cynical rare books dealer hired by Boris Balkan (Frank Langella), a scholar specializing in books on Satanism, to recover the only two remaining copies (in addition to the one owned by Balkan) of THE NINE GATES OF THE KINGDOM OF SHADOWS, a 17th-century text with cryptic illustrations supposedly contributed by Lucifer himself. Corso's investigation takes him to Europe, where he is pursued by a strange girl (Emmanuelle Seigner) who seemes to assume the role of his guardian angel: Bizarre deaths inspired by the book's morbid illustrations befall all those who come into contact with the book--except himself. This occult mystery should satisfy fans of subtly creepy, stylish tales of the supernatural along the lines of Polanski's own ROSEMARY'S BABY.
| Credits | | Producer: | Roman Polanski | | Cast: | Emmanuelle Seigner |
Editorial Reviews
"...A sardonic detective thriller peppered with carefully crafted pleasures..."
Variety - p.50 - Lisa Nesselson (08/30/1999)
"...Depp's performance is a consistent delight..."
Movieline - p.37 - Stephen Farber (03/01/2000)
"...A lot of lowbrow fun....[Depp performs] with real panache..." -- 3 out of 5 stars - A Satisfying Rental
Premiere - p.87 - Christopher Kelly (08/01/2000)
"...Polanski remains a supreme technician....The film is intricately well-made....THE NINTH GATE is generously spiced with humorous detail..."
Sight and Sound - p.45-6 - Philip Strick (09/01/2000)
"...Engaging and well-executed....Johnny Depp excels in character roles..."
Box Office - p.64 - Tim Cogshell (05/01/2000)
"...THE NINTH GATE is well-crafted with a genteel and moody air....Polanski has concentrated on the subdued and the spooky. And he's thrown in some bizarre acting touches..."
Los Angeles Times - p.F27 - Kenneth Turan (03/10/2000)
"...With its fiery, over-the-top spectacle and bolts of black humor, THE NINTH GATE is actually more in the spirit of VAMPIRE KILLERS than ROSEMARY'S BABY....Lena Olin is the ultimate cat woman..."
Chicago Sun-Times - p.39 - Lloyd Sachs (03/10/2000)
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