The Ninth Gate

A horror favorite

I've enjoyed horror films since I was a kid. I remember sitting in a theater watching "Frankenstein" with my hands over my eyes and peeking between my fingers. I enjoyed "Ninth Gate." I've wached it several times since I purchased it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

In Defence of a Much Disparaged Film

There has been much criticism of this film from the day it first appeared on screen, and much of that criticism has been very unfair. One review I read in a New York paper at the time of the film's release actually criticised the film because the characters' glasses were too big. Well, genius, if you're reading, it is no secret that the glasses people wear largely reflect their personalities. As all of the major characters in this book are either bibliophiles or rare book dealers, it should not be surprising that they wear conspicuous frames to reflect the bookish people they are. But I digress. I don't claim that this film is perfect. Some of the actors "i.e. Emmanuelle Seigner" could have been better chosen and the dialogue is, at times, a little cheesy, but if a little cheesy dialogue should kill a film then Titanic should have sunk like a rock instead of being a critically-acclaimed box office bonanza. Again, I digress. The Ninth Gate is such a unique film and from the first time I saw it in the theatre it has appealed to me on many different levels. Anyone who is a lover of books or classic literature will appreciate the references to age-old tomes and the way they were bound in leather, printed on paper meant to last centuries, unlike our "modern wood pulp." The film is mostly set in Europe, in the homes, hotels, and institutions of the Portuguese and French aristocracy, so anyone like me who enjoys the rich history and culture of Europe will find themselves rewarded with breathtaking photography of castles, chateaus, city streets, and countryside. A viewer who enjoys the genre of supernatural thrillers, in which the struggle of God and Satan for the souls of men and women is explored, will appreciate this film's unique take on that theme. The Satan of this film is neither interested in possessing helpless little girls nor in making pacts with obtuse devil-worshippers, but is more perplexed by those who are living life in a no-man's-land between good and evil, such as the protagonist, Dean Corso. On a final note, please don't compare the movie to the novel that inspired it: The Club Dumas. The movie only adapted a part of the novel and should be judged on its own. It does not pretend to be a faithful retelling of the novel, which I also recommend. The Ninth Gate is a one-of-a-kind film and I recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys the genres referred to above.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

If your a Mr. Depp's fan you will like it.

I seen this movie a couple of times. It will hold your interest. Has some nice twist and turns. If you are a Mr. Depp fan you will like it. I beleive Mr. Polanski got some of his ideas from the book entitled 'The Club Dumas' by Arturo Perez-Reverte. See the movie than read the book and compare. You will be surprized.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Rock The twisted and non.

This movie is so indepth and creativly chilling. Its dark and mysterous making every twist and turn a surprise and and unxpected adventure. There is no way that this movie could have been better. I totally think this movie ROCKS!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

THIS MOVIE IS GREAT

I think that Roman Polanski captured a world very much unlike our own in this film, not only was it spellbinding but it was an adventurous tale into a kingdom of shadows. I give it five stars because it is far from dull, it is enertainment in its finest hour, one of Depps greatest films. As well as one of Kilar's greatest composures...............

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

AWESOME IN EVERY WAY

Anyone who has seen a Roman Polansky movie knows that he specializes in subtlety and sardonic wit. If you loved The Tenant then you will enjoy this film very much. People expecting The Exorcist or the usual effect laden American films should go elsewhere. This film is classic Polansky..in turn funny..spooky..outrageous and sexy!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

CLOSE TO MASTERPIECE- POSITIVELY POLANSKI!

I saw 'The Ninth Gate' almost a year ago in the cinema.It did not strike me strongly,however. Yet,after having bought the VHS version,I've watched this film over and over again in the last two weeks. Superb! Polanski is finally back, decades after another masterpiece of acting,irony,atmposphere and noiresque result,titled- 'Fearless Vampire Killers'. Polanski nurtures glamoured style which has been abundant with subtle irony, high class acting and invisible speciall effects. A great and distinctive film in every term of viewing.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fabulous - bookish thriller

This film is great - the ending is a little lame though. The idea of working to get to the devil - that all the things he can bring, wealth, glamour, sex, - dont come easy but need to be worked out is a refreshing one. The only downside is the woman to the rescue. You cant say that after studying the book as hard as he has Depp doesn't recognise the resemblence between the heroine and the succubus riding the dragon - we are shown often enough!! If you want blood guts and gore this is not the movie for you. If however you want something more psychological and thought provoking then give it a go!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Ninth Gate gets 4 Stars

Another stunning movie by Johnny Deep!! While his work may not be what we call mainstream all of his work is true and he is an honor to his craft. In an age of spirtual void we still look to a higher power in this case that power was the devil but not in the way he has always been portrayed as an evil being like Bram Stokers Dracula or in the Golden Child. But in a sense of that he had figured out what god had realy put of here for and was shown god's kingdom. So he devised a test of who could figure out the secret that he so long ago did. I highly recomend this moive to any fan who ask themselfs the question why we are here

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Some people...

Some people should see this, and some should stick to Spielberg, Tarantino or Disney. Not a mainstream film, but it is an action/mystery story that does indeed work. It is an interesting role for Johnny Depp and he does well with it. Definitely one for those of us who love books. And vacuum cleaners.

Like a beautiful car without an engine

I was warned about this one when I rented it. The guy said..'It's like a beautiful car without an engine. It's great to look at, but doesn't go anywhere.' I got it any way and he was right!! Or maybe it went over my head (doubtful). I was caught up in the storey, up until the anti climactic ending, which left me sitting, stalled on the road scratching my head. I loved the idea of the search for an ancient grimoire of satanic origins, and the twists and turns kept me riveted, but the end just...well sucked. Pity because as always wether you like his choices Depp was at his best in this one. Somewhere between Yazna's over the top 'Necronomicon' and this film is teh one I am waiting for.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

People, don't wach this movie!

I have no idea what any of the people involved in this movie were thinking! There is a plot in this film, but it is totaly boring! You would rather watch the dicsovery channel.(which is pritty interesting at times, but you get the idea.)It is not scary. It is not funny. It is not interesting and the action sequences were terrible. And yes the acting was emotionless.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Dragon Master December 5, 2000

The girl that just apeared out of noware. The way that one of the guys clients betraed him. I love the backround with fire at the end of the movie.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Horrible movie! You'll be sorry!

I had high hopes when I bought this DVD. Instead, I felt disgusted that I wasted the money. Nothing happens in this movie at all! Johnny Depp just walks through the movie displaying no emotion whatsoever. There is no suspense or any semblence of plot. There is absolutely nothing to like about this movie whatsoever. I don't have rigid or fussy tastes, but there is absolutely no redeeming aspect to this movie. There is no acting and no plot! And every person I talked to that has seen this movie feels exactly the same way. I can't believe how bad it was. ''Hudson Hawk'' was worse, but at least interesting in how bad it was. This isn't even an interesting bad. I would have given this movie no stars whatsoever, but the web site doesn't have that option. This DVD is definitely going to be traded in for a $5 credit at the trade-a-tape store.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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