Intriguing and intense, this is a slight disappointment because of the complexity in the plot that requires knowledge of the book of revelations and other biblical books, and not many movie fans would take the opportunity to read the more obscure books of the Bible. Having had a religious appreciation class at a very liberal catholic school, I was aware of the basic details covered here, but it becomes very over the top, even more so than other classic books and movies that have maintained a cult status because their twists and the way the plot is revealed and the big twist exposed. This film gets complex and intriguing, but it goes way too far at times and has several moments that are gruesomely disappointing.

For the mysterious Jürgen Prochnow, it's extremely important that he not only meets Demi Moore but becomes close to her. She is a non-believer, pregnant and going through a series of mysterious experiences with husband Michael Biehn unable to protect her. The last days of Jesus as well as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah are brought into the plot, and Moore finds assistance from a kindly Jewish teenager who knows various codes which gives her a clue to what is going on. A mysterious stranger (Peter Friedman) wanders around with his own agenda, tied into the secret to the identity of Moore's unborn baby, and a young man on death row is also another plot element due to be executed just as a series of seeming plagues occur, giving rise to the possibility that the four horsemen have arrived.

Certainly not boring, this tries hard to make a difficult story become believable, and the gorgeous Moore is appropriately vulnerable and determined throughout. I was alternately intrigued and confused, fascinated and repulsed, and it is easy to see why it was not a critical success. The possibility of being alive when the apocalypse is in progress is depressing to say the least. However, in seeing this again for the second time in 30 years, I did see it through more enlightened eyes. Not a film I'd watch again or recommend because dark views of the end of the world isn't exactly entertainment to me.

THE SEVENTH SIGN is one in a string of "end of the world" style apocalyptic thrillers that plough the Bible for their inspiration. Unfortunately, this is one of the more insipid entries in that particular sub-genre, and it's a film that fails to make much of its premise; it's very much "weak sauce" throughout, and it pretty much fails both as a horror and a thriller.

As a horror film, this is anything but. There are a couple of would-be supernatural situations but it's routine for the most part and there is no sense of menace or foreboding at any stage. As a thriller, it's routine and dull, lacking the kind of tension that a decent suspense flick calls for.

The problems with this one are myriad, but the writing is the worst offender; it has an interesting background, but the diverse plot elements feel jumbled and uncertain. Demi Moore doesn't help, giving a wishy-washy and unsympathetic turn in the lead role, and the one genuinely interesting actor in the cast - Michael Biehn - is wasted in a boring part. In all respects, THE SEVENTH SIGN is a forgettable little movie, perhaps not the worst I've seen but lacking any elements to make it the least bit memorable.

In Haiti, David Bannon (Jürgen Prochnow) breaks a seal and there's a sea life die-off. In the Middle East, terrorists escape into a town formerly Sodom which is then frozen. Father Lucci (Peter Friedman) is certain of the supernatural but he assures the Vatican that they are explainable. Abby Quinn (Demi Moore) is non-religious and had attempted suicide. She is sure that this pregnancy will take after previous failures but her husband Russell (Michael Biehn) is more concerned. Russell is a lawyer defending mentally-slow Jimmy Szaragosa who killed his parents following the word of God because they're siblings. David rents a room from the Quinns. Young Avi is convinced of impending doom.

There is not much action. The leads aren't actually doing much. It's not really a thriller or even a horror. What I like is the spooky mystery. It's piecing together this simple story. Often Apocalypse is something epic. This makes it something much smaller and personal. The ending is touching and poetic.