(somber choir music)
(muttered prayers) (ominous music)
(suspenseful music)
(sizzling) (monk gasps)
(exciting music)
(chanting in unison)
(chanting)
(ethereal hum)
(ominous music)
(distant screaming)
(moaning)
(distant screaming)
(suspenseful music)
(screaming)
(snarling and laughing)
(speaking in Latin)
(groaning) (sizzling)
(speaking in Latin)
(sizzling) (grunting)
(laughing)
(grunting)
(sizzling) (groaning)
(monks murmuring)
(gasping)
(laughter)
(shouting)
(echoing laughter)
(frightening music)
(roaring)
(grunting)
Nu!
(growling)
(shouting in Latin)
(screaming)
(screaming in unison)
(birdsong)
(man singing “Ave Maria")
(bells tolling)
(goats bleating)
Ciao.
Hello?
Excuse me.
Do you speak English?
Well now, I speak English, French, Italian, German, Spanish...
and Latin I keep on this hand, 'cause I don't speak that so well.
Are you lost, then?
(Woman): I don't think so.
Is this the Abbey of Saint Peter?
(Man): Yes.
(speaking Italian)
Good.
Then you can tell me where I might find the Brother Superior.
Well, why would you be wanting him?
Ms. Magrino. Hello.
I am the Brother Superior.
Brother Orsini.
Welcome to our modest abbey.
(Orsini): Brother Timothy here will show you
to our guest quarters.
Will she be staying, then?
For a few days.
Ms. Magrino teaches school in a parish in America
which is headed by my very dear old friend,
Father Lentini.
It amazes me how that sly old devil became a priest.
It proves that God does work miracles.
Now after you've settled in,
I'll take you down into the catacombs.
(Orsini): We'll start off with a big bang.
(men chuckling) (scolding in Italian)
(gasping) Brother Marinus.
You startled me.
I am distressed.
Well, that's at least consistent.
This is a brotherhood,
not a hotel for lost women.
Our guest is not lost.
She's here at my invitation.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have a very important appointment...
with my flower garden.
(ominous music) (muttered prayers)
Oh, well. Poor Father John.
It's not much. We're a poor abbey.
It'll be just fine. Thank you.
Is there a reason why you speak so many languages?
Yes, well, now,
it's rather like the Catholic Foreign Legion around here.
The brothers come from all parts of the world
to do their studies.
I see.
Well, now, I must go back to work.
If you need anything at all,
just ask for Brother Timothy.
Thank you.
By any chance...
would you have any American gum to spare?
Sorry.
American gum is such a nice bad habit of mine,
but it's hard to find sometimes.
- See you later, then. - Bye.
(hammering)
(rumbling) (heavy breathing)
(ominous music)
(grunting)
(man speaking Latin)
(whispering and evil laughter)
(grunting)
(man speaking Latin)
(heavy breathing)
(speaking in Latin)
(groaning)
(speaking in Latin) (frightening music)
(Man): John.
- John. - Why do you want me?
(evil laughter)
(wind howling)
(evil laughter)
(bell tolls)
(men speaking in Italian)
(horn honking)
Well, Brother Martina,
here I am back in the tower with all the booty,
and I even bought some batteries for Brother Agostino's radio,
which he doesn't hide too well.
And I also managed...
to procure a Pope's skull
just like the one in Brother Orsini's office.
Which Pope is yours?
Why, Pope Paul VIII, of course.
That's impossible.
The one in Brother Orsini's office
is the skull of Pope Paul VIII.
50 what's your problem?
How can there be two skulls of the same pope?
Why, bless you. It's perfectly simple.
The pope skull in Brother Orsini's office
belonged to Pope Paul VIII when he was an 86-year-old man.
And mine is of Pope Paul VIII when he was only 65.
Oh, I see.
Brother Marina.
Sometimes you are as slow as you are short.
(knocking)
(Man): Come in.
Brother Terrell, I cooked your meal.
- What's the score? - 4 to 3.
The Germans are good.
They cheat.
A brother shouldn't say things like that.
I'm dying.
I can say what I want.
Time to eat.
I'm not hungry.
Keep reading.
The Lord's kindness is everlasting
to those who fear Him.
He pardons all your iniquities.
He heals all your ills.
Now back to the good stuff.
(coughing)
(coughing intensifies)
(wheezing)
Brother Terrell?
What's wrong?
I thought you were...
I'm sorry, Brother Terrell.
I have to go. I have to go.
We'll finish later.
I'm the one dying.
What is he in such a snit about?
(goats bleating) (birds chirping)
Well, well, well, our visitor from America.
- Hello again. - Taking a stroll, are you?
Yes.
This is my friend Antonia.
- Hello. - Bongiorno.
I rather adopted her a long time ago,
or perhaps she adopted me.
I'm not quite sure which.
Anyway, we've become good friends.
The farmers around here call these Devil's Touch flowers.
You see this mark? This right there?
The farmers claim these have been touched by the Devil.
Oh, they're a very superstitious lot.
But I am fond of one of their sayings.
The Devil can touch you and leave his mark...
just so long as he doesn't steal your soul.
Quite true, don't you think?
What are you checking on there?
(ominous music)
(eerie bird call)
(conversing in Italian)
Poor child.
She knows things.
Before they happen.
She seems to know.
It's a terrible burden.
She just told me someone's going to die today.
(speaking in German)
(muttering in Latin)
Incredible. What is the connection?
(muttering in Latin)
(speaking Latin) “The light of God is with you."
(eerie music)
(speaking Italian) “The light of God protects you."
(speaking French)
“The light of God shall destroy Satan."
Blind.
(frightening music)
(screaming)
(growling)
(screaming)
(roaring)
(ethereal music)
Father Orsini.
Ah, dear boy.
God won't hear you if you try so hard.
You must he patient.
If God won't hear me, then he must be saying
I'm no longer needed in His work.
God doesn't fire his servants, John.
Come. Sit down.
You've been carrying a dark burden since you came.
Don't you think it would help to share that load
with me or one of the brothers?
I just want to know that I can serve
some worthy purpose on this earth.
Other than disappointing those who think
I have all the answers to their problems.
We all have that problem, John.
God has the answers,
but even He disappoints us at times.
What is really bothering you?
I can't continue my visits with Brother Terrell.
He gives everyone a hard time.
Don't take it personally.
It's not that.
I'm just starting to care about him.
It hurts too much to watch him die.
That is unfortunately part of our calling.
It's a constant struggle with the joys and pains
of life and death.
You can't be a priest and not deal with death.
It's a conclusion I seem to keep reaching.
Look at it this way.
When you've hit bottom spiritually, as you have...
there's no place to go but up.
When your faith has grown feeble,
that is precisely when it will grow strong again.
It will get better, John.
Just give your stay with us a little more time.
And continue your visits with Brother Terrell.
I think it's important for you to deal with whatever it is
that has placed you in this conflict.
Rn try.
(Orsini): May the Lord bless and keep you.
(speaking Latin)
May His face shine upon you and he gracious to you.
(speaking Latin)
May He look upon you with kindness
and His peace be with you.
(speaking Latin)
May the almighty God be with you,
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
(in unison) Amen.
Dig in.
Brother Superior, did Brother Timothy tell you?
Brother Timothy tells me many things.
The Lord has blessed him with the tireless gift of gab.
What is it Brother Timothy is supposed to tell me?
That he bought a younger version of your Pope's skull.
(Orsini laughing)
(all laughing)
Decorum.
Brother Superior.
You take yourself too seriously, Brother Marinus.
- I do what must be done. - Yes, and you do it well.
All I'm suggesting is that you do it with a little...
Well, a little less fervor.
(Marinus): Since when is it wrong
for a man of God to display his devotion?
There's no joy in your life.
You never laugh, you never smile.
Are you saying that I could serve God better...
if I laughed during prayer?
(Orsini): A slight smile wouldn't hurt.
We don't usually think of God as having a sense of humor.
But he does, you know.
It's dry and to the point.
For instance, he creates a beautiful stallion.
And then adds the jackass for contrast.
(Marinus): With all due respect, I am happy.
In my misery it pleases me to scowl and glower.
I prefer a constant edge of hunger to three meals a day.
(scattered gasps)
Evil, thy name is woman.
Don't let him bother you.
God.
I didn't mean to intrude like that.
I mean...
I was just looking for Brother Orsini.
I didn't...
- I'm sorry. - No harm done.
Please sit down.
It's just that they're not used to a...
Well, someone from outside the brotherhood.
Aren't you an outsider?
I mean outside the brotherhood.
Yes, but I'm a little easier to accept.
I'm not a woman.
I see.
(Timothy): There we go, then.
It's not anything extravagant, but it is filling and warm.
Thank you. It looks...
delicious.
Oh, it looks nothing of the sort.
It looks just as bad as it tastes.
I didn't make it so you don't have to be kind.
Well now, you two have a nice chat.
See if you can get this one to talk.
He's such a puzzle to us.
I'm Elizabeth.
Nice to meet you, Elizabeth. I'm John.
Why are you such a puzzle?
Ah, Ms. Magrino. Here you are.
I'm so sorry about the disturbance.
Oh, don't give it another thought.
Come, let me give you that guided tour.
John, take my place at the service, would you?
Of course.
I'm going to show Ms. Magrino
where our famous miracle took place.
And if he asks,
tell Brother Marinus I've gone.
Tell him I've gone hunting Satan.
(John laughs) That should bring a smile.
(bell tolls) (somber music)
(Marinus): We inhabitants of this sacred abbey
are urged to reflect on our lives here on Earth.
Lives that pass through quickly.
As symbolized... by the hourglass.
We are urged to go steady in our lives.
Like...
the flowing sand...
through the hourglass.
But...
we are also warned.
Beware the Beast.
God?
Practice the power to seal the demon
in unholy burial forever.
God granted our holy symbol of divine protection.
Always remain, and ward off forever...
agent of Satan, the Beast of the apocalypse.
Beware the Beast.
Let none arouse him from his imprisonment.
Keep his seals of containment...
for once they are breached,
then shall the horror come to pass.
Stars shall become dark and fall from the sky.
The sun shall tum black.
The earth shall freeze white with ice.
Brother shall turn against brother.
Mother against child.
The earth shall open up in fiery torrents.
And mountains shall crumble into the sea.
Rivers shall run red with the blood of the suffering.
Darkness shall descend not only upon the Earth...
but into the very soul of man.
He is the holy king.
Sacred his symbols.
Evil, thy will be contained.
It bleeds.
(explosion) (roaring)
Is the Devil wagging your tongue?
What do you think of our catacombs?
Kind of spooky.
Yes.
I suppose the first time down here is spooky.
But there are no ghostly spirits or wandering souls.
Just a bunch of old bones.
Actually, to think of death is rather sobering.
To think that what we are now they used to he.
And what they are now...
we soon shall he.
(chuckling)
You know, the catacombs remain until this day
the last significant monument to Christian antiquity.
They were the burial place for the bodies of the martyrs
who died defending their faith.
(bones cracking)
Here we are.
Our famous catacomb chapel.
It's...
“Unusual" is the word we use.
As you know this abbey is most famous
for the Miracle of Celestial Light.
According to church documents,
the first prior at this abbey
had been blind for many years
when one day he was showered with
a heavenly shaft of light from above.
And his eyesight was miraculously restored.
As you can see, there were no openings
in this catacomb chapel.
Just a painting of heaven.
From time to time others have claimed
to have seen this celestial brightness.
At the turn of the century a Brother Belore saw the light
reflected in this holy monstrance.
It shone so bright, it blinded him.
God giveth and God taketh away.
50 much for miracles.
A few of the brothers still come down here
for private meditation, but mostly they stay away.
Why?
I guess they don't want to risk going blind.
Here.
Take this.
I want you to wear it until you leave.
It is supposed to inspire stillness and serenity.
Why don't you stay down here for a while
and take some pictures?
It would he a rare treat for those students of yours.
As long as Brother Marinus doesn't find out,
it should be okay with God.
I'll come back for you later.
(peaceful music)
(suspenseful music) (growling)
(hissing) (Elizabeth saws)
(ominous music)
(growling and laughing) (frightening music)
(wind howling) (eerie whispering)
(Man): Elizabeth...
(suspenseful music)
Brother Orsini?
(Elizabeth gasps)
- God, you scared me. - I'm sorry.
Brother Orsini asked me to finish giving you the tour.
What is she doing down here?
Obviously she got lost.
We're all part of God's flock, Brother Marinus,
and sometimes we stray.
No big deal.
I will report this to the Brother Superior.
Yes, you do that by all means, Brother Marinus.
This is a holy place.
(bell tolls)
Ah, Brother Marinus. What a delight to see you.
That woman was wandering around in the catacombs.
After your Father John escorted her out
I made my rounds and discovered
that the lower chamber has been tampered with.
The Vatican icon that seals the evil is missing.
You're not digging up that old superstition
about a demon sealed in the catacombs, are you?
It is documented in the ancient hooks.
It's just a lot of glorified scribbling
by a group of second-rate Inquisition players.
There is nothing that compels me to believe it really happened.
I believe it.
That's because by nature you are...
I won't say it.
According to the writings, if the evil is released
in the lower chambers, he will then attempt
to reach the last vestige of containment.
Catacomb chapel. The holy monstrance.
I read the hook, Brother Marinus.
We all have.
I just choose to believe it is more fiction than fact.
But you protest it to be fact only.
- I believe what is written. - Yes.
That seems to be the problem.
That woman brings evil.
- At this abbey. - That's preposterous.
You know, Brother Marinus, we put up with your severity
much of the time because it basically does no harm.
But this...
Elizabeth is a 6th grade school teacher
from a poor Catholic parish, for God's sake.
There is something else that concerns me.
There is an air of anxiety among the brothers.
A sense of growing fear.
There I agree with you, Brother Marinus.
The brothers are upset.
But I don't think it has to do with our visitor.
I think it's you whipping them up
into a nervous, unnecessary frenzy.
Nevertheless I will speak to the brothers individually.
What about the woman?
What about her?
She should be told to leave.
I think you should leave.
Before I lose my composure and say more than I already have.
(John): How are you feeling today, Brother Terrell?
Lousy.
(John): Shall I read to you?
No, just talk to me.
Alright.
What did you want to talk about?
Sex.
And what aspect of that subject did you have in mind?
Having it or not.
Is that a question?
It's a regret.
When I was 16 years old...
there was this girl...
named Dolores.
She was a year older than I, but...
far from more worldly.
I don't know why but she decided to discuss
what it was like to have sex.
I guess she wanted to try it.
To talk me out of my vocation.
She was such a lovely creature.
Dolores.
All my life I was haunted by what she said.
She described sex as a state of euphoria.
We become one undulating connected body
with the other person.
One body, one mind, one soul.
And heat and flesh and goodness.
It sounded as religious as anything I ever felt.
Then, or since.
What a shame to have missed out on that.
I don't know if I ever really
had that experience with God.
Now that I'm dying...
I can confess that maybe when I die...
I'll have great sex with God.
What I really wish...
What I really wish is that I had sex with Dolores.
(knocking)
I thought you might he hungry.
Thank you. Come in.
You didn't have to do this.
Actually, I did.
Otherwise you'd starve.
I am hungry. Would you like some?
- No thanks. - Are you sure?
I'm sure.
- I'm gonna let you eat. - No, no, stay.
Brother Orsini tells me that you're a teacher.
That's right. Saint Genevieve.
Sixth grade art and history.
You enjoy your work?
I love it.
It's all I ever wanted to do.
That's good.
Everyone should feel that passionate about their work.
What is it that you like about it so much?
My kids are great.
They're so eager to learn.
It makes me feel good that they need me.
That they enjoy coming to my classes,
and that I have something to offer them.
It's just very rewarding.
Count your blessings, Elizabeth.
You're really very lucky.
I'm gonna let you...
Lousy food.
- Good night. - Good night.
Thank you for the dinner.
That man will he the death of me yet.
Him and all his superstitious nonsense.
(ominous music)
(faint shouting)
(frightening music)
(distorted laughter)
(distant roar)
(eerie music)
(roaring)
(suspenseful music)
(scratching) (evil laughter)
(Orsini shouting)
(frightening music) (Orsini gasps)
(shouting)
(knocking)
Enter.
Something terrible has happened.
I knew it.
(man singing)
(bell tolls)
Enter.
Tea time, Brother Marinus.
What do you mean?
Well, I... I brought you some tea.
- Why? - Well, I thought you might like it.
I always brought Brother Orsini some tea at this time of day.
I don't particularly care for tea.
It seems a luxury ill-suited to our calling.
Forgive me, Brother Marinus, I...
I just thought you might like to respect
the same traditions as Brother Superior.
I...
am the Brother Superior now.
And things will he different under my leadership.
You may go now.
I am the Brother Superior now.
(ominous music)
(eerie bird call)
(Elizabeth): Antonia ?
Antonia.
(speaking in Italian)
What'd she say?
(speaking in Italian)
- Come on. - No, what'd she say?
Well, it's difficult to translate.
Something about one of us being touched by the Devil.
And the other one dying.
But it's just a superstition. Come on.
(frightening music)
Forgive me, Lord, for what I am now about to do.
The Lord guard me from the hands of the wicked.
Rescue me, Lord, from evil men.
From the violent keep me safe.
From those who plan evil in their hearts,
and stir up strife every day,
who sharpen their tongue like an adder's.
With the poison of vipers on their lips.
Lord, guard me from the hands of the wicked.
From the violent keep me safe.
They plan to make me stumble.
The proud have hidden a trap.
They've spread out lines of a net.
Set snares across my path.
If a good man strikes or reproves me...
It is kindness, but...
Let the oil of the wicked not anoint my head.
Let my prayer be ever against their malice.
Their princes were thrown down by the side of a rock.
Then they understood...
that my words were kind.
As a millstone I shattered the pieces on the ground,
so their bones were strewn at the mouth of the grave.
To you, Lord God, my eyes are turned.
In you I take refuge. Spare my soul...
from the trap they laid for me.
Keep me safe.
Keep me from the snares of those who do evil.
In you I take refuge.
Spare my soul.
(ominous music)
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
A miracle. A blessed miracle.
(growling)
May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.
Dio min.
(gasping)
You are no longer welcome...
in this abbey.
- Speak. - Father John.
Enter.
Father John, I'm so happy you came.
I am deeply concerned.
I was hoping that I could confide in you.
If you like.
There is a dark secret in this abbey...
that I shared only with Brother Orsini.
Now that he's gone I think you should know about it.
Why me?
Why not Brother Agostino or Brother Timothy?
They don't have your daring.
Come.
Come with me, Father John.
(ominous music)
- What's so important? - Hurry!
Come. Let me show you.
Four hundred years ago...
A man touched by the Devil was sealed in this cave.
A sacred Vatican seal was placed over the doors
by the Inquisition to contain him,
and to protect the holy monstrance.
That seal has been taken.
Father John, I am convinced...
Evil has been unleashed,
and is running loose in these catacombs.
Brother Marinus, from all that I've read,
the Inquisition was entirely capable
of taking a man they thought possessed and-
I would like to perform the ancient ritual
that was practiced in this abbey by the Inquisition
some four hundred years ago.
- Brother Marinus- - You could help me.
Oh, yes, you need help.
Not the kind I can give you.
Father John.
I was wrong about you.
You are a frightened man.
Like all the others in this abbey.
(snarling) (screaming)
(evil laughter)
(John): Brother Terrell?
Brother William, where is he?
- Who? - Brother Terrell, where is he?
He's in the cavern.
Brother Marinus had him taken to the cavern.
You thought I was a goner, didn't you?
- Are you dead? - I don't know.
I don't feel dead.
But then who knows how that feels?
I have never been dead before.
Listen to me.
This place is going all to hell.
Brother Orsini was the voice of sanity around here.
But Brother Marinus...
has gone out of control.
Satan is like a bully.
He's only strong for someone weaker than he is.
Trust me.
He will crumble under your light.
You have the power of God on your side.
And he can be one tough bastard.
I'm going to go now, John.
Maybe I will have sex. Maybe not.
It's up to Him.
Bathe in the light of God, John. Bathe in the light of God.
(Marinas): And the Lord said,
“Cut out the tongue of Lucifer! He shall not tell me his way!"
(Martino): Father John.
Come quick. It's Brother Terrell.
Good friend.
(Man): Elizabeth.
Hello?
(frightening music)
(gasping)
Oh, no.
(weeping)
(frantic music)
(gasping)
(Elizabeth weeping)
(sad music)
(Antonia gasps)
(screaming)
(laughter) (screaming)
(frightening music) (wind howling)
(grunting)
We don't allow women here.
(shouting in Latin)
(chanting)
(distant chanting)
(shouting in Latin)
Brother Marinus!
That's enough.
(frightening music)
(evil laughter)
I'm glad you came, John.
- Do I frighten you? - No.
All men of God are afraid of Satan.
You're not Satan!
You're Elizabeth.
(grunting)
How could I do that if I weren't Satan?
I don't know and I don't care.
Elizabeth.
Don't give in to him.
Do not let him take you.
(evil laughter) You?
I am a servant of God...
and the torment-or of Satan.
Big deal.
(grunting) (wind howling)
(shouting)
(neck snapping)
It's the loud ones like him that are the weakest.
Did I hurt you?
I'm sorry.
- I'll make it better. - Elizabeth, no.
ND.
There, now.
Doesn't that feel better?
(laughter)
That's one of my favorite tricks.
That's another.
By any chance...
Would you have any American gum to spare, Father?
Is the Devil wagging thy tongue?
(laughter)
(chuckling) Come to hell with me, John.
There's no room in the church for you anyway.
How would you know?
(laughter)
Your precious God has deserted you.
No, he hasn't.
Where's your strength, John?
Where's your all-powerful God when you need him most?
(groaning)
(chuckling)
Your spiritual voice has gone feeble.
God will never hear you now.
Have you had enough?
Yes.
You never had a chance.
(man shouting in Latin)
(sizzling) (groaning)
(roaring)
(hammering)
(roaring)
No, no, no, John.
I have a few tricks of my own.
Bathe in this. (triumphant music)
Bathe in the Lord's light. (roaring)
(peaceful music)
(Timothy): But I am fond of one of their sayings:
The Devil ran touch you and leave his mark...
just so long as he doesn't steal your soul.
Quite true, don't you think?
(peaceful music)
(bell tolls)