Review - Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist

In my opinion Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist was better than Exorcist: The Beginning in so many ways . . .

For one, Shrader tells a cohesive and interesting story. Though I will grant you it is a little slow at some points and I think that is what the major problem was for studio execs. I can see why it would not have done very well in the theaters or why people might have been disappointed when it was billed as the next in the Exorcist series.

For another, there was no action and horror for the sake of action and horror as in Renny Harlin’s version.

In Shrader’s version there was much more character development. I, for one, truly cared about the characters. Not so much in Harlin’s version.

One last comparison - Renny Harlin’s version just plain sucked; Shrader’s version was actually very good. Especially if you separate yourself from and don’t go into this expecting the original Exorcist. There is just no beating that film and no comparison here either.

Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist attempts to explain the origin of the deep animosity between Father Merrin (Stellan Skarsgard) and Pazuzu. Even before Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) was a twinkle in here parent’s eye, Merrin battled Pazuzu for the soul of an unfortunate disfigured Turkana boy by the name of Cheche (Billy Crawford). During his battle, Merrin regains his faith which was lost in witnessing the atrocities of WWII (good thing for Regan!).

I thought it interesting in this version that there was a totally different doctor, Rachel Lesno (Clara Bellar). She was a much deeper character than in Harlin’s version (sorry I couldn’t help but comparing again . . .). The character of Major Granville (Julian Wadham) also played a much bigger role in this one though he still had carried his interest in lepidoptery. The addition of the character of Cheche in this version was also key in making this film much more cohesive than Harlin’s attempt.

Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist is a definite recommend in my book. My husband likened it to a mix between a very slow and un-action packed Indiana Jones movie mixed with the hint of a somewhat diluted Exorcist - but rest assured, he didn’t mean that in a negative way.

Directed by
Paul Schrader

Writing credits
William Peter Blatty (movie The Exorcist)
William Wisher Jr. (written by) (as William Wisher) and
Caleb Carr (written by)

Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification
Stellan Skarsgård ... Father Lankester Merrin
Gabriel Mann ... Father Francis
Clara Bellar ... Rachel Lesno
Billy Crawford ... Cheche
Ralph Brown ... Sergeant Major
Israel Aduramo ... Jomo
Andrew French ... Chuma
Antonie Kamerling ... Kessel
Julian Wadham ... Major Granville
Eddie Osei ... Emekwi
Ilario Bisi-Pedro ... Sebituana
Niall Refoy ... Corporal (Thief)
Lorenzo Camporese ... Private (Thief)
Burt Caesar ... Dr. Lamu
Marcello Santoni ... Dutch Farmer
Griet van Damme ... Teenage Dutch Girl
Simon McLinden ... Corporal
Pet Chege ... Sebituana's Wife
Hamadi Mwapachu ... Convulsive Worker
Evelyn Duah ... Mara
Rick Warden ... Corporal Williams
Michele Mariotti ... German Sergeant
Ben Meyjes ... Soldier #2
Oliver Maltman ... Soldier #3
Omari Carter ... James
Adrian Black ... Joseph
Nick Komornicki ... Gun-Firing Soldier