The Celestine Prophecy Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
The book that changed our lives is now a movie
Disillusioned and temporarily rudderless, John Woodson is about to experience a dramatic and profound metamorphosis. Through a mysterious set of coincidences, he finds himself on an adventure to Peru in search of ancient scrolls, known as the Celestine Prophecy. The prophecy and its nine key insights, predict a new awakening that redefines human life and provides a glimpse into a completely spiritual culture on earth. Resistant at first, skeptical and unsure, John finds that each step he takes, each person he encounters leads him to a new awakening. It is only in this letting go that he finds his destiny and comes to understand the meaning that had escaped him when his adventure began.
| Matthew Settle | John |
| Thomas Kretschmann | Wil |
| Sarah Wayne Callies | Marjorie |
| Annabeth Gish | Julia |
| Hector Elizondo | Cardinal Sebastian |
| Joaquim de Almeida | Father Sanchez |
| Jürgen Prochnow | Jensen |
| John Aylward | Dobson |
| Castulo Guerra | Father Jose |
| Obba Babatundé | Miguel |
| Robyn Cohen | Charleen |
| Petrus Antonius | General Rodriguez |
| Rachel Erickson | Little Girl |
| Joel Antonio Juan | Prison Guard |
| Vernee Watson-Johnson | Principal |
| Armand Mastroianni |
4.70 out of 10 (812 votes)
Visitor Reviews
This is inspired from a true story and if you don't believe it at least watch it as a nice fantasy
posted on 25 Jul 2009The film is based on James Redfield's first book (The Celestine Prophecy released in 1993). I read it a few years ago and was the kind of book that made me sad when was over. During the reading I experienced the things that were written. Sounds crazy and I didn't believed it back then, but it was a lot of fun and now past the years when I saw the film I remembered how it was. Of course I felt sad again when the film ended. The staging: well…there's always place for better and for worse. I took it like it was and didn't judge it (though my brains& mind always wanted to compare it with the book :)). I like the aura effects. That's almost how I see things and I'm happy that from time to time something confirms me that I'm not going slightly mad :PIf you didn't read the book, but you are opened to new things you can access the information through the film. Don't believe what you see from the first time, but as well don't reject anything. Just forget everything you know/knew or think you knew; then test it and if it happens to you too, then believe it. You might get a nice surprise ;)It could be more (The Tenth Insight: Holding the Vision & The Secret of Shambhala: In Search of the Eleventh Insight). I'll wait peacefully for them.If you liked this movie also watch: Indigo, What the Bleep Do We Know 1 & 2. They all have something in common: they are great movies with a low score. Don't get induced in error by it. And don't accept somebody's truth as yours. Make your own truth. Enjoy!
"The Fountain" meets "The Gathering", only worse
posted on 11 Jul 2009Bingo is the game, bullshit is the name. Rarely has the screen been smeared with such a blown-up hodgepodge of half-baked conspiracy theories, puritan prudery, and new-age gibberish. The bulk of the story is set at Viciente, a Cristian resort in the Peruvian jungle. Think Tolkien's Rivendell meets Star Trek's Planet Baku, inhabited by dimwitted followers of a not-so-mysterious, but surprisingly narrow-minded cult of love and peace. Thanks to gruesome acting and tacky production design (the rainbow-colored visualization of the mysterious all-healing "energy" is particularly hideous), "The Celestine Prophecies" looks and feels like a discarded 1980s "Twilight Zone" episode. Factual errors regarding church history and nomenclature abound. I can't believe Hector Elizondo agreed to be a part of this. Maybe it was made without his consent, Bowfinger style. May the Lord have mercy on the director, the screenwriter, the author of the novel, and the poor souls who see the movie or read the book.
be forewarned!!!!!!
posted on 28 May 2009Amateurism best describes the film adaptation of the best-selling philosophical novel "The Celestine Prophecy", which follows the spiritual awakening of an out of work teacher in a mysterious village in Peru. Home video quality actors present so-called characters spewing overwrought exposition and metaphysical hokum, while the film is propelled by the extremely heavy-handed direction of Armand Mastroianni. Even though there are visible attempts at measuring up to and interesting fans of stronger fare in the vain of ABC's "Lost" or Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code", the filmmakers are hardly up to the task. This film reeks of ill-conceived mass consumption spiritual propaganda, and the results are so awful few can wade through this mess to spot a real point.
A very good movie
posted on 14 Apr 2009Someone wrote about Batman Begins, and he/she thought that it was the best Batman movie ever made, because it was realistic. Many would consider The Celestine Prophecy in the "older versions of Batman" category. And it's too shame, because it's a wonderful movie, about life, and how things could be different. Showing to us, the worlds most fabulous and amazing places, those that we don't even dream about.I thing it is a movie that some of you wont't like,(you will consider it irrelevant and a story about nothing) but I think (and I think I quote from the movie) who is meant to love it, will do, because it is about the things in life that we don't consider important, and yet they are, and the beauty and love, in a way you have not seen before. (for those who like these kind of movies, watch "What dreams may come") I loved the movie, and though I'm not a big "reader", I read the book too. And I have to admit it is far more better than the movie. So consider if a gave a 10 to the movie, how could be the book.There's a saying: "kids don't try this at home". Well... if you watch this movie, and it gives you something to think about, then I'm telling you!! Do watch this movie, and do try this at home! (it won't be easy, but it's worth it!) And trust me, I think you'll know what I'm saying if you have seen this movie.Soo...enjoy!
Transition Taken Place
posted on 02 Apr 2009The movie actually reassured me of what I have been experiencing in my life with this transition and evolution. I have been a beacon of unconditional love with the intention of spreading it from one to another by means of an alternative healing modality Usui/Karuna Reiki, Integrated Energy Therapy infused with physical, emotional and spiritual love. Since as long as I can recall, I have had this uncanny gift to read the soul of a person by looking into their eyes without judgment. Within most people, I see love hidden by darkness (Greed, selfishness, negativity, anger, fear, depression, etc.) that needs to be released. A distant but achievable dream of mine is to some day take all this darkness from all suffering out there. Sometimes they make wrong decisions in their lives that lead to felony conviction. If these people just had the love so needed in their lives, there would be better choices made and second chances given. Every life is precious and should not be given away so lightly.Light and Love, Clinton
So-so.
posted on 31 Mar 2009I enjoyed the first book, read the other two books and didn't enjoy them as much.It was a good movie if you've read the book. It covers many of the points and has a somewhat engaging plot. I didn't think the actors were all that bad. That's the good part.The bad part is... I'm having a hard time imagining what I would have rated this if I hadn't read the book. It probably would have lost three stars. Because it was very disjointed, went into very little exposition about what in the world they were talking about, and if you didn't have the reference of the book, you'd probably be just sitting there with your mouth open going "huh?" The sole part where the movie beat all three books is that it was not nearly as preachy. The book just kind of yelled at you, and all of the characters went into these lengthy and ultimately silly expositions. The movie does not make that mistake, and that was a refreshing difference.The book is best enjoyed when you're ready for it - either you get it or you don't. The movie is almost impossible to enjoy if you didn't *understand* the book. Note I didn't say read, I said understand. If you don't understand the message the book was trying to get across, this movie is going to make zero sense to you. Don't waste your money in that case.But if you did... get the movie. It'll at least be a little entertainment, and you can say to yourself, "oh, I remember that part!".
A prophecy causes a lot of trouble
posted on 27 Mar 2009I actually didn't enjoy this movie.I saw it at a camp, and we didn't rave about it, we laughed at it. Sure, some parts are touching, but the acting is terrible, the effects are terrible, and the whole overall movie idea is terrible (now, I know it was based on a book which I haven't read, but I hope that the book was better than this, because frankly, I thought that this movie was very bad and boring). Like I said, I went to it with a bunch of people from a camp, and we were excited to be there, plus I got a caffeinated drink, but nonetheless, I struggled to stay awake. The only thing that kept me up (other than my fear of being embarrassed once I woke up) was the gunshots, that were quite pointless as well. I just really didn't like it.
Just not worth your time.
posted on 11 Feb 2009This movie is just not worth your time. Its reliance upon New-Age mysticism serves as its only semi-interesting distraction. The plot is one that has been re-cycled countless times.I was only prompted to even spend the time to put in a comment when I noted that some have tried to prop-up the reputation of this drivel. Their motivation & objectivity is dubious, since they encourage you not to look at the movies faults, but at its well intentioned message of New Age consciousness.So would it be alright for some twenty to thirty Evangelical Christians, or Islamic Fundamentalists to pour in positive ratings about movies/television that support their views? In spite of the poor qualities of production, or the lack of truth in any of its supposed historic basis? I hope not.I am sure the followers will come right behind me to say flowery things about this movie, in spite of the truth.
Even if you don't go read the books, See this movie!
posted on 19 Dec 2008I was so pleasantly surprised that this movie was not just the first book by James Redfield, but the series of the journey! Just like the books, some people will get the messages, some won't. This is life, which is what the film is also about, what life really is and how we should appreciate it. The casting was perfect. The location shooting was breath taking and added detail with mystery to the whole movie! The movie was fast paced, I would like to see it again (and again?) so I can see what I missed the first time. This is a good thing, as the books also needed to be read more than once to digest all the information. This is a movie I would like to own so I can play it for others, hope it becomes available.
Nomation for worst film of 2006
posted on 09 Dec 2008Somewhere in the Peruvian rain forest a number of scrolls with ancient manuscripts on them are found. The texts on these manuscript is one of the kind that makes humans change, change so much that it might be held as the next step in evolution. Some people want to bring these scrolls to the public, some want to see them destroyed because they threaten their lifestyles. Somewhere in between the two groups inevitably collide.Let me start with stating that I am not a spiritual guy. I'm an atheist, and believe in nothing but myself. I do believe that positive action towards others is the only way to receive positive actions back, but that is how far I go. No further. This film is highly spiritual. Setting out the world and the people living on it as a constant stream of energy going from the one point to the other, feeding the ones sending and receiving it. So, this film was bound to fail for me. I didn't know that, as I went into it knowing nothing about it (which is the same way as I go into just about all films I see).Still. I tried watching this film like it was, doing the same what I do with any film - trying to accept the premises it makes as the truth for the duration of the film. When I managed to do that I was confronted with the film as itself. And that included a lot of bad acting. Acting so bad it is worse than what you get to see watching the average TV-drama. People with blank expressions on their faces, just smiling away the hours of the day, people reading their lines without feeling their value.So. When the film ended I was glad it was over because it meant I could go home. For me this film is an absolute waste of perfectly good celluloid. Not even worthy to be broadcast on television. A crap theme played so badly it hurt the eyes.2 out of 10 completely wasted spirits.
Book is great......Movie is terrible, don't bother
posted on 16 Oct 2008This film fails to capture any of the mystery and intrigue that the book offers. The main point of the book, the insights, are hardly even touched upon, leaving the viewer wondering exactly why everyone is making such a big deal about them and why they are willing to risk their lives.The character development is not good at all. No background or personal development leaves the audience not really caring at all about what happens to them, and so the action sequences fall flat.The search for the manuscripts ends abruptly, and with no real explanation, not leaving any sense of satisfaction as to what the whole search was for.This is one of the worst adaptations of a book I have ever seen. It is horrible and a waste of time. If you have not read the book, skip the movie and read it. If you have read the book, skip the movie and reread it.It is almost as if the point of making the movie was to discredit the book, that is how poorly done and ridiculous this movie is. It is a shame too, because it could have been good had they capitalized on it at the height of its success and they probably would have been able to get a good screenwriter and some good actors.Please don't waste your time, READ THE BOOK!!!
A movie with a poor previous research
posted on 26 Sep 2008If you want to see a movie that terribly mixes up one Latin country with any other Latin country, "The Celestine Prophecy" is a good example: 1. Perú, not even in its most violent times, has not shown polices or soldiers as much as in this film. This showed a country like El Salvador when Civil War. Since I'm a Peruvian who lives in Lima (the capital of Perú), it was too funny to me seeing the police guards here, there and everywhere. 2. If you have a car in Perú, and you want (or need) to be a taxi driver, just post a sticker with the word "Taxi" on the front glass of your car and you can drive freely in Peruvian streets (there are taxi companies, but their rates are quite expensive). No need of yellow or a black/white squared band on the doors of your car. Well, taxis in this film have that band, somethin that you will never see in Perú. 3. Peruvian people are not Caribbean styled clothing. For example, when a taxi driver comes out, he was wearing a "Guayabera" (Cuban shirt), a white hat, and 40's mustaches, like Clark Gable. Not one Peruvian man looks like that, please! Perú is not the Caribbeans! 4. A scene shows a woman on a street with a quite long skirt, like the typical folklore dresses in Latin America. Take a walk anywhere in Perú, and you'll never find a woman wearing like that, unless you are watching a typical dance. 5. Cast could've been better: I can not deny Héctor Elizondo is a great actor, but he's not a Latin actor (his father was Basque and his mother from Puerto Rico, but he was born in New York) and his Spanish is not fluent. It's notorious Spanish is not his first language. There are dozens of very good Latin actors who could've performed as Cardinal Sebastián. Petrus Antonius (General Rodríguez) was also a bad choice for a "Latin Police officer". It was so funny seeing Elizondo and Petronius in General Rodríguez's office. They looked like two English or American students in a Spanish class, making their best effort in order to pronounce Spanish. Unsuccessfully, of course. Castulo Guerra was better in his Spanish. A "Peruvian" officer, who announced Cardinal Sebastián, spoke a quite funny Spanish too. There are very good Peruvian actors, like Augusto Alvarez-Calderón and Christian Meier (just to mention two out of many Peruvian actors), who could've performed with excellence. 6. I admit that a fictional movie can let itself a license inventing cities or, even, countries. But, please, when creating a name, be careful when using a foreign language: The town portrayed in this movie should've been called "Vicente" and not "Viciente". Vicente is a male name, and Viciente has never been used. 7. I disagree one user, who says that this movie was filmed on locations in Perú. Not one location is Peruvian, although the production has used in excess posters showing "Inca Kola", the Peruvian soda. As not few American films, this one must have used any Latin country. After all, for American producers or directors, a Latin place is identical to any other Latin place. 8. In the first scenes, when John (Matthew Settle) flies to Perú, he's supposed to arrive to the only one international airport in Perú: Jorge Chávez Airport (in Lima, the capital). Actually, believe me, it must be any airport in the world, but Peruvian airport. And, of course, in Peruvian airports there are no military or police guards. 9. When this John takes a room in a Peruvian hotel, this one has a fan and, obviously has no air conditioner. Please, this doesn't happen in no hotel in Perú(and other Latin countries), unless you get a 1 star hotel! 10. The rebels who fight against the government are... ¡Colombians! Their accent was, with no doubt, from Colombia. For casting them, the producers should've hired Peruvian actors. In few words, it would've been cheaper filming in Perú.I could go on with more examples out of this film, that led me to give it a "1" (awful) vote, but I fell asleep after about 20 minutes from its beginning. But dear producers: It's not a tragedy: There are many worse movies with not few mistakes. Just let's remember "Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the Crystal skull" and indescribable Disney's "The Emperor's new groove". The list of bad films could be endless...
Yet another New Age hype movie based on ancient "scrolls"
posted on 22 Sep 2008The film gives a rather condensed version of what is contained in the book, which as far as I can tell by doing some research and investigative fact checking is largely a work of fiction. In reality, there are no ancient scrolls and if the author was hard pressed I'm sure he'd have to admit he's never laid eyes on any scrolls in ancient Aramaic found in Peru. These "valuable" texts written as usual by anonymous, were destroyed by the evil "truth haters" in the church and in the local government. That's rather strange, as all kinds of New Age crap comes out each year---hundreds of books, dozens of movies--and the Roman Catholic church doesn't seem to me to be hell bent on destroying the movement which it probably views as I do, a total crock of doody. I'm no fan of the church, mind you, but at least the ancient texts which they base their faith on are real.It's a typical pattern of scam artists and religious hucksters to claim to have seen or translated ancient documents which unfortunately got destroyed by "evil" men or in Joseph Smith's case, got taken back to Heaven once translated. Therefore, the actual texts cannot be found in any museums like the Smithsonian, nor the translations checked by specialists in ancient languages like Coptic or Aramaic. It's a scam. In one sense, I admire anybody smart enough to come up with a great idea and make millions off it, but I couldn't do it myself, as I've no desire to mislead the public with more New Agey hokum.Occasionally, a genuine ancient text does get found hidden away and lost for years. The Gospel of Judas, a Gnostic text, was discovered and after carbon dating and diligent study of the text, deemed authentic by experts. The Gospel of Judas was referenced as heretical around 300 C.E.. No church documents from that time mention any Celestine Prophecies as authentic, heretical or anything else.We are evolving towards something--that much is true---but the optimism in the Celestine Prophecy is based on nothing but fiction and lies, and a philosophy built on a foundation of lies, like a castle built on sand will collapse. The harsh, ugly, overpopulated, cruel world of Blade Runner is more likely what it'll be like over the Horizon, than some Utopian Hippie Commune where all is love and peace! I tell people the truth and they hate me, but tell them what they want to hear, even if pure piffle, and one can make millions. The Celestine Prophecy is what the world wants to hear. Too bad it is a castle built on sand. Don't get me wrong. I wish to God, the Celestine Vision was reality, only it's not. No ancient philosophy at any time expressed ideas given in the Insights with the modern concept of spiritual evolution going hand in hand with biological evolution. These New Agey ideas did not exist in the ancient world and did not exist until Darwininan Evolution became well-known. That means the ideas in the Celestine Prophecies cannot be older than the 1800s C.E, and do not go back to the early B.C.E period or near the time of Jesus of Nazareth. This type of claim by New Agers is not at all unusual. Wiccans claim their brand of magic and witchcraft -- the "old religion" goes back to the stone age, when in reality no Book of Shadows has ever been known to exist prior to Gerald Gardner who lived in the 1900s and was the buddy of Aleister Crowley.New Age gurus tell lies and claim their ideas are based on ancient teachings, when the ancients would thumb their noses at such absurdities that are preached by Gurus today. Why do they do what they do, perpetrate such fraud? Simple: there are millions of dollars to be made, and the modern Guru acquires power over his or her followers. They compete fiercely and have a strong hatred for their competition despite their claims of love for all things. Each New Age group bitter opposes the others. It's a struggle for your minds and your wallets.But learn one thing from me, that is actually similar to one of the insights, learn to follow your own instincts and look for guidance from within. That I can agree with wholeheartedly.
Cheese
posted on 04 Sep 2008My dear Lord,what a movie! Let's talk about the "special effects" first. Don't get me wrong here, I am not one of those effect fanatics but I was truly thinking that superimposition was a practice of the long gone past, mainly the 60's. So for some time I thought they might have recorded this movie a long time ago and it took them forever to cut and release it. But as far as I know they did not have cell phones in the 60's...What I am looking for in movies is mainly a good story with a really good message. Acting is secondary, effects are secondary, I do not even mind a few little inconsistencies. However, in a movies like this bad acting, incredibility, etc. add up to make a bad movie even worse - that's what happened for me with the Celestine Prophecy.My wife said the book was actually really good and even though I am not into all that spiritual stuff I can somehow see that it can be brought across in a believable way - the movie failed to do so.There could be one single reason to watch this one though. If you really love cheesy movies it'll be the right one for you. If the IMDb stars were for cheesiness instead of quality I MUST have rated this movie ten stars.By the way, three stars are for the fact that there are worse movies out there, like "Critical Mass" (look up the comments on that one - hilarious). The Celestine Prophecy is at least entertaining to a certain degree.
Great Movie
posted on 21 Aug 2008I thought it was a outstanding movie. 1) SHOT ON LOCATION****: A large number of movies are not shot on location(most in LA) and this one was(Peru). 2) FAST PACED***:The movie was very fast paced. 3) CASTING***: Excellent for an INDEPENDENT MOVIE. 4) SELF EXAMINATION: Like the book can cause one to examine their perception of the world. 5) MESSAGE: Even if some are skeptical of the metaphysical ideas contained in the movie it will plant a seed. 6) INSPIRATIONAL: It was inspirational me because it promotes the exchange of positive relationships, connection with ones own intuition to make decisions, and positive messages of the future.
Chaotic and boring bunch of New Age mumbo jumbo
posted on 06 Jul 2008I must admit I do not hold much of New Age mumbo jumbo. When people "exchange energy" I always wonder how much kJ is actually exchanged and how it may contribute to solving the global warming problem. When energy "is enforced" I always wonder how they managed to violate the laws of entropy and still are without Nobel prizes. When people feel how well instinct enables them to flawlessly navigate through the complexities of life I wonder how they fail to do a simple thing like finding the train station.But then again, this is not the first movie with plot holes and most of them I find perfectly acceptable and entertaining. If this were the case with "The Celestine Prophecy" I wouldn't burn this movie down, but unfortunately it isn't. Every actor seems to be bored out of his head and unable to grasp what he are actually supposed to be doing on location. This results in many "Ah-s" and "Oh-s", like I tend to do when talking about quantum physics with somebody who actually knows what he is talking about and pretend to understand.The direction is uninspired as well. You might expect something more from the guy who did "What dreams may come", but hey, I supposed he got well paid for the job and adopted the attitude of a New York taxi driver: "It's your money, buddy.." The only one who seems to be having fun is all-time bad guy Jürgen Prochnow. Not only does he have a job, he is one of the few actors in this movie who may have a few wise cracks at this eternal and terribly boring New Age chatter.This movie is much like one of these dinner dates when you find out that your date is actually a horrible bore who seems to be unable to shut up. At one moment in time it seems the words turn into small ping pong balls that are thrown to your head incessantly until it hurts.If you want to have a good time and have to choose between this movie and sticking safety pins in your eyelids, take my advise: choose the latter.
Its Amazing!!!
posted on 02 Jun 2008I loved the movie as well as the book! James Redfield is my husbands uncle,and i think he did an amazing job on the movie.based on what i have seen it is as much like the book as you can get without it being a 5 hour long movie.i have read a lot of users comments on here about how the movie isn't like the book and it sucked..come on its a religious movie not an action movie you watch it for insight not for a thrill!!you knew what to expect before seeing it..i personally think its amazing work!!i cant believe people would sit on here and give it bad ratings( bad acting,porn o) i believe not!! this movie is originated from a best seller!!!!!not some stupid sex movie how could people even compare the acting in cp to a porn!! i guess that shows there lack of education!!James released this movie on his own!!! with his own funding,and im proud of his work!! james and salle have worked years of there life on cp ...its part of them and the way people have been rating it, is pure bull!!and does not do the movie justice!! i really thing everyone should be required to watch or read the Celestine Prophecy !!!then maybe our world would have the insight into how to be better and treat everyone better!!If you want sex ,drugs,rap and all that other crap in movies now a days go watch something else!!!! If you want to see a good movie with good morals and values with out all that junk see the Celestine Prophecy!! you will be glad you did!
Great movie for those who haven't read the book
posted on 17 Apr 2008I was one of the people who discovered the series of books when someone gave me the first book (The Celestine Prophecy) that this movie was based on. I thought there were many insights that were discovered during the movie. Although the movie would have had to have been around 6 hours to cover the book accurately the movie did do a good job of introducing this parable to the masses. There were several books in this series with the latest being a really good read. I would have liked to see the all the books incorporated into a couple of movies similar to the Lord of the Rings. Perhaps this could happen with the DVD release? If the "coincidence" (you have to see the movie or read the book)to see the movie keep an open mind and allow the movie to build a bit. You will not be disappointed.
Just plain bad!
posted on 05 Apr 2008I have never seen anything as awful as this movie for quite some time. The movie was boring, long long and awful plot. The special effects sucks like hell - It's like watching a movie back in 1999. It's a total waste of an hour and a half of my time. Matthew Settle's performance was quite bad. I saw him in Band of Brothers playing Lt.Speirs, he wasn't THAT bad. In fact not bad at all. But in this film, his acting wasn't convincing enough, it was quite bad and there wasn't any chemistry between the rest of the crew either. Plus, his eyes seems empty like he's not feeling it. It surprised me, really, because he was good in Band of Brothers.Anyway, don't even bother to watch this movie. It's a big big BIG waste of time. Even if you had to kill an hour or two, get something else to do besides watching this movie. Trust me, you'll regret it!
Interesting ideas but made into a rather dull movie.
posted on 26 Aug 2009Based on the trailer for this movie we thought surely its IMDb rating was too low. Now we understand why it is what it is.There is some mention of a discovery of ancient scrolls in the 1600s in Peru, scrolls which were then hidden until discovered in modern times. Although the Dead Sea scrolls are not mentioned, the author surely must have been motivated by their discovery. Here the scrolls outline ways of living your life to amplify energy between yourself and others, and to discover a way to view heaven while still here on Earth. That is oversimplifying it terribly, but that is my gist of a description.It is a subject that would make a good 20-minute drama, but stretching it to 100 minutes means some adversarial plot elements must be introduced. Conventional religion in Peru seems to feel threatened by these scrolls, so a plot, even involving the local Catholic bishop, has characters fleeing the militia. Add to that some rebels which introduce additional elements of conflict and gunfire.Most of the cast are second-tier actors, and watching them makes it clear why the really good actors are so good. The acting and dialog border on amateurish at times. I could not recommend this movie to anyone I know.