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Angel Heart

Angel Heart is a 1987 American neo-noir psychological horror film written and directed by Alan Parker, adapted from the 1978 novel Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg.^[1] Set in 1955, the story centers on private investigator Harry Angel, a down-and-out Brooklyn detective played by Mickey Rourke, who is hired by the enigmatic Louis Cyphre—portrayed by Robert De Niro—to track down the missing singer Johnny Favorite.^[1] As Angel's investigation leads him from New York to New Orleans, he uncovers a web of occult secrets, voodoo rituals, and gruesome murders that blur the line between reality and the supernatural.^[2] The film features a strong supporting cast, including Lisa Bonet as Epiphany Proudfoot, Charlotte Rampling as Margaret Krusemark, and Stocker Fontelieu as Ethan Krusemark, with production spanning locations in Harlem, the Lower East Side, Coney Island, and the Louisiana bayous from March to June 1986.^[1] Parker's screenplay relocates much of the novel's action to New Orleans to heighten the atmospheric tension, incorporating elements of Faustian bargains and identity crises that culminate in a shocking twist.^[1] Cinematography by Michael Seresin captures the film's moody, rain-soaked aesthetic, while Trevor Jones's score enhances its blend of hardboiled detective tropes and horror.^[2] Upon its release on March 6, 1987, Angel Heart faced significant controversy from the MPAA, which initially awarded it an X rating due to a graphic sex scene involving ritualistic elements; director Parker trimmed 10 seconds to secure an R rating, allowing wider distribution by Tri-Star Pictures.^[3] The film grossed approximately $17.2 million against a $17 million budget and received mixed reviews for its ambitious genre fusion, though it has since achieved cult status for its performances—particularly De Niro's chilling portrayal of Cyphre—and its exploration of guilt and damnation.^[2] Critics praised its atmospheric dread and narrative ingenuity, with Roger Ebert noting its effective descent into horror.

Synopsis and cast

Plot

In 1955 New York City, private detective Harry Angel is hired by the wealthy and enigmatic Louis Cyphre to locate Johnny Favorite, a popular singer who vanished after sustaining severe injuries in a plane crash during World War II, leaving Cyphre holding a contract that entitles him to Favorite's soul upon death.^[4] Angel accepts the case for a $5,000 retainer and begins his investigation by visiting the hospital where Favorite was supposedly confined, learning from Dr. Albert Fowler about Favorite's brain-damaged state and a possible transfer to a private facility arranged by a man using the alias Edward Kelley; Fowler is murdered shortly after, shot in the eye.^[5]^[6] Angel's inquiries lead him to Toots Sweet, a blues musician and former acquaintance of Favorite's bandleader Spider Simpson, whom he meets in a Harlem bathhouse; after Toots reveals details about Favorite's occult interests, he is brutally murdered, his genitals severed with a razor and stuffed in his mouth.^[4] Haunted by recurring nightmares of a descending elevator and a red-lit window, Angel travels to New Orleans, where the trail points to Favorite's wartime romance with Evangeline Proudfoot, a voodoo practitioner who died in childbirth.^[5] In the humid bayous of Louisiana, Angel encounters Epiphany Proudfoot, Evangeline's daughter and a young voodoo priestess who bears a striking resemblance to Angel's visions and confirms she is Favorite's illegitimate child.^[7]^[2] He also confronts Ethan Krusemark, a wealthy patriarch and Margaret Krusemark's father who aided in Favorite's rituals, at a racetrack; during the meeting, Ethan discloses Favorite's evasion of his soul contract through black magic before Angel is attacked by thugs and dogs on Ethan's orders—Ethan himself is later killed by being boiled in a pot of gumbo.^[4] Angel's suspicions deepen when he learns of Favorite's association with Margaret Krusemark, Ethan's daughter and a fortune teller skilled in the occult, who evasively discusses Favorite's disappearance but is later found dead in her apartment, her heart ritually removed, mirroring the murders Angel has stumbled upon.^[5] As the killings mount—each victim connected to Favorite's past and dying after speaking with Angel—supernatural elements intensify, including voodoo ceremonies in the swamps where Epiphany performs rituals invoking loa spirits.^[7] In a pivotal scene during a torrential downpour, Angel and Epiphany consummate their attraction in a New Orleans hotel room, but the rain outside turns to blood in Angel's hallucinatory vision, symbolizing his encroaching damnation.^[5] Returning to New York, Angel confronts Cyphre in his opulent office, where the truth unravels in a devastating twist: Angel himself is Johnny Favorite, who in 1943, severely wounded and facing death, made a Faustian bargain with Cyphre—the Devil—to sacrifice a young soldier's life in a voodoo ritual, assuming the soldier's identity as Harry Angel to evade his debt, but repressing all memories of his past sins.^[4]^[7] The murders Angel investigated were committed by his own hand, triggered subconsciously to silence those who could expose his true identity, including Epiphany, whom he kills in a repressed blackout, her body discovered with the same ritualistic marks.^[2] In the climactic confrontation, Cyphre reveals himself fully, taunting Angel with lines like, "Believe me, it wasn't my intention to take you into the very heart of darkness," as Angel smashes mirrors in futile denial, screaming, "I know who I am!"—a desperate assertion undermined by his fragmented psyche.^[7] Condemned to hell for his pact and crimes, Angel's arc culminates in eternal torment, his investigation a diabolical setup by Cyphre to collect the long-overdue soul.^[4]^[5]

Cast

The principal cast of Angel Heart (1987) features Mickey Rourke as Harry Angel, a hard-boiled New York private investigator hired for a seemingly routine missing persons case that spirals into supernatural terror.^[5] Robert De Niro portrays Louis Cyphre, the enigmatic and impeccably dressed client with sharp fingernails and a cryptic demeanor who commissions Angel's services.^[5] Lisa Bonet plays Epiphany Proudfoot, a young voodoo priestess and the illegitimate daughter of the missing singer Johnny Favorite, whose uninhibited sensuality draws Angel into deeper peril.^[5] Supporting roles include Charlotte Rampling as Margaret Krusemark, a sophisticated tarot reader with ties to the occult underworld and Johnny Favorite's past.^[8] Stocker Fontelieu appears as Ethan Krusemark, Margaret's father and a prominent New Orleans figure connected to the investigation.^[8] Brownie McGhee is cast as Toots Sweet, a grizzled blues musician who provides cryptic warnings to Angel amid the film's Harlem and New Orleans settings.^[8] Other notable supporting actors include Michael Higgins as Dr. Albert Fowler, Elizabeth Whitcraft as Connie, and Dann Florek as Herman Winesap, each contributing to the ensemble's atmospheric tension.^[8]

Production

Development and writing

Angel Heart is an adaptation of William Hjortsberg's 1978 novel Falling Angel, a hard-boiled occult mystery set in 1959 New York City.^[1] Alan Parker, the film's director and screenwriter, first encountered the novel shortly after its publication in 1978 and was reintroduced to it in early 1985 by producer Elliott Kastner during a meeting at Pinewood Studios.^[1] Drawn to the book's fusion of noir detective elements and supernatural horror, Parker saw parallels to his 1984 film Birdy, which also blended psychological depth with unconventional genres, inspiring him to pursue the project as his next directorial effort.^[1] Parker began developing the screenplay in 1985, completing the first draft by September of that year while writing in bars in New York and New Orleans.^[1] To enhance the atmospheric tension and visual style, he made significant changes to the source material, including shifting the primary setting from New York to New Orleans—a relocation he discussed and confirmed with Hjortsberg to better evoke a humid, gothic ambiance suited to the story's occult themes.^[1] He also adjusted the timeline to 1955, aiming for a retro aesthetic reminiscent of 1930s and 1940s cinema, and expanded key characters: protagonist Harry Angel was reimagined as a more sympathetic and intelligent detective, while the enigmatic Louis Cyphre (a stand-in for Lucifer) became a more substantial, charismatic presence.^[1] Additionally, Parker introduced the character of Pastor John, drawing from historical Harlem religious movements of the era to deepen the narrative's exploration of voodoo and spirituality.^[1] Despite initial resistance from Hollywood studio executives, Parker secured financing through Carolco Pictures, the independent studio founded by Andrew G. Vajna and Mario Kassar, following a pivotal meeting in Rome.^[1]^[9] This deal granted Parker full creative control, allowing the script's evolution to prioritize the blend of psychological horror and film noir without compromise, setting the stage for pre-production to commence in January 1986.^[1]

Casting

Director Alan Parker initially considered several actors for the lead role of private detective Harry Angel, including Jack Nicholson, who declined due to personal reasons.^[10] Mickey Rourke, fourth on Parker's list, met with the director in New York and confidently asserted, "I'm best," ultimately securing the part through his persuasive audition.^[11] To prepare, Rourke employed an intuitive method acting approach, improvising lines during rehearsals and incorporating physical quirks like holding ice cubes in his hand to achieve a chilled demeanor in tense scenes.^[10]^[11] Robert De Niro was first offered the role of Harry Angel but expressed preference for the enigmatic Louis Cyphre, becoming the second choice after Nicholson for that part.^[10] De Niro committed just two weeks before filming began and contributed significantly to the character's devilish portrayal, selecting silver-topped canes sourced from France, experimenting with colored contact lenses, and incorporating false nails to enhance Cyphre's sinister elegance.^[10] For the role of Epiphany Proudfoot, Parker auditioned Lisa Bonet second and selected her for her intelligence and depth, unaware of her fame from The Cosby Show as he had not watched the series.^[12] Bonet consulted Bill Cosby prior to accepting the part, informing him of the nudity involved, and he initially encouraged her to pursue what was best for her career.^[13] However, the role's explicit content, including a graphic sex scene with Rourke, sparked significant backlash; Cosby later opposed it publicly, citing conflicts with the family-friendly image of The Cosby Show, which contributed to Bonet's temporary departure from the series in 1987.^[14]^[15] Assembling the supporting cast presented challenges, particularly for roles tied to New Orleans' voodoo culture, where authenticity and sensitivity were key. Parker cast Charlotte Rampling as Margaret Krusemark on Rourke's recommendation after a difficult search for an actress who could convey class and eccentricity in a pivotal yet brief role.^[10] For the voodoo shop attendant, a non-professional actress with no prior experience was chosen to deliver a crucial expository scene, highlighting the production's effort to integrate local flavor amid broader controversies over the film's sensationalized depiction of voodoo practices.^[16]

Filming

Principal photography for Angel Heart commenced on March 31, 1986, in New York City and concluded on June 20, 1986, in New Orleans, spanning a total of 59 days across 78 authentic 1955-period locations. The production primarily utilized real sites in New York, including the Lower East Side tenements on Eldridge Street, Harlem's mission and procession areas, Coney Island's rundown amusement park, and Staten Island neighborhoods, while in Louisiana, filming occurred in the French Quarter along Royal and Magazine Streets, the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, and bayou regions near Thibodaux and Bayou St. John. These choices emphasized practical, on-location shooting to capture the film's gritty noir atmosphere without extensive studio builds.^[1]^[17]^[18] Director Alan Parker directed with a focus on organic improvisation, employing two cameras simultaneously during intense scenes between Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro to preserve spontaneous performances, while avoiding storyboards to allow scenes to evolve naturally. To evoke the film's neo-noir mood, Parker desaturated colors for a monochromatic palette that mimicked black-and-white cinematography in color, and incorporated rain machines during New Orleans night shoots to drench streets and enhance the sense of dread and isolation. Practical effects were prioritized for horror elements, such as voodoo rituals influenced by script details, relying on location authenticity like dimly lit bayous and re-dressed 1950s interiors rather than heavy CGI or prosthetics.^[1]^[19] The production faced several challenges, including the humid Louisiana weather that exacerbated actor discomfort during extended outdoor sequences in the bayous and French Quarter. Mickey Rourke's intense improvisational approach, while adding authenticity to his portrayal of Harry Angel, led to inconsistencies requiring on-set adjustments and occasional delays in matching shots. Logistical hurdles arose in recreating period-accurate 1950s sets, such as re-dressing Harlem's mission and Coney Island boardwalk, and constructing a replica 1950s streetscape on Magazine Street, which involved draining vibrant colors and sourcing era-specific props amid union picketing disruptions in nearby New Jersey. Additional issues included cold Atlantic waves hampering Coney Island exteriors and difficulties training animals like pit bulls for key scenes.^[1]^[17]

Post-production

Post-production on Angel Heart was handled by editor Gerry Hambling, a frequent collaborator with director Alan Parker, who spent four months refining the footage into a cohesive narrative. Hambling's editing process involved sifting through 400,000 feet of film comprising 1,100 shots, captured during principal photography that wrapped on June 20, 1986, resulting in a first assembly cut by late October. The final edit emphasized deliberate pacing to heighten suspense, with slow-building sequences that gradually unravel the protagonist's psychological descent, culminating in a 113-minute runtime for the theatrical release.^[1]^[4]^[5] Visual effects were minimal and relied on practical techniques to convey the film's supernatural undertones, such as the implied soul transfer in the climax, achieved through subtle lighting shifts and makeup rather than digital enhancements. Production teams incorporated on-set practical elements like blood squibs and prosthetic wounds for violent scenes, including throat-slashing depictions, to maintain a gritty, period-appropriate realism without overt CGI, which was not yet prevalent in 1987 filmmaking.^[1]^[20] The post-production phase was marked by significant censorship challenges from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), which initially awarded the film an X rating—typically reserved for explicit content—due to the graphic incestuous sex scene between characters Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) and Epiphany Proudfoot (Lisa Bonet). To secure an R rating, Parker trimmed approximately 10 seconds from this controversial Epiphany sequence, focusing on nudity and simulated intercourse, allowing the film to proceed to wide release without further alterations. This brief edit resolved the rating dispute by February 1987, just weeks before the March premiere, though it sparked debates on the MPAA's standards for violence versus sexuality.^[3]^[13]^[21]

Music

The original score for Angel Heart was composed by Trevor Jones, who blended jazz, blues, and orchestral elements to evoke the 1950s noir aesthetic and voodoo mysticism integral to the film's supernatural thriller narrative.^[22]^[4] Jones crafted the music using a Synclavier digital synthesizer, incorporating brooding synth layers, sampled vibraphone, acoustic bass, horns, and choral textures to explore themes of evil and psychological descent, with British jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine providing prominent solos that underscore the score's menacing allure.^[22]^[4] Central to the score is the main theme in "Harry Angel," a seven-minute cue that introduces a haunting saxophone motif symbolizing the protagonist's doomed investigation, while tracks like "Nightmare" combine pulsating heartbeat rhythms and ethereal choir with Pine's saxophone to amplify moments of supernatural dread.^[22] The composition draws inspiration from the American South, recurring with motifs from the 1937 jazz standard "Girl of My Dreams" by Glen Gray, which Jones adapted to bridge the film's temporal and occult layers.^[22]^[4] Diegetic music plays a key role in the New Orleans sequences, featuring authentic blues and R&B performances that immerse viewers in the city's sultry, mystical underbelly, such as the raw intensity of "Honeyman Blues" integrated seamlessly into the action.^[22] The Angel Heart soundtrack album, credited to Trevor Jones featuring Courtney Pine, was released in 1987 by Antilles New Directions (Island Masters 262 047), compiling 37 minutes of Jones's cues alongside period tracks like "Honeyman Blues" by Bessie Smith and "Soul on Fire," highlighting the score's fusion of dread and jazz heritage.^[23]^[22]

Release

Theatrical release

Angel Heart was released theatrically in the United States on March 6, 1987, distributed by TriStar Pictures.^[24] The film faced initial challenges with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings board, receiving an X rating due to a graphic sex scene involving Mickey Rourke and Lisa Bonet; after two unsuccessful appeals, TriStar edited approximately 10 seconds from the sequence to secure an R rating, allowing broader theatrical distribution without restricting audiences under 17 unaccompanied.^[3]^[13] TriStar marketed the film as a supernatural thriller, emphasizing its neo-noir mystery and occult elements while capitalizing on the star power of Robert De Niro and Mickey Rourke. Promotional posters prominently featured De Niro's enigmatic portrayal of Louis Cyphre alongside Rourke as the beleaguered detective Harry Angel, often set against moody, shadowy visuals evoking dread and intrigue. Trailers highlighted the film's atmospheric tension, voodoo undertones, and psychological descent without revealing key plot twists, accompanied by the tagline "It will scare you to your very soul."^[25]^[26] The campaign also subtly alluded to the pre-release controversy over the rating, with ads proclaiming "Everything You've Heard Is True" to generate buzz.^[25] Internationally, the rollout followed the U.S. debut, with a release in France on April 8, 1987.^[24] In the United Kingdom, it premiered on October 23, 1987, under a similar promotional strategy focused on the thriller aspects, though local advertising adapted to regional sensitivities around the film's explicit content and horror themes.^[24] Other markets, such as Greece on April 7 and Belgium on April 16, saw staggered releases in spring 1987, with variations in poster designs to highlight local appeal, such as accentuating the New Orleans setting in European promotions.^[24]

Box office

Angel Heart had a production budget of $17 million. The film grossed $17.2 million in the United States and Canada.^[27] Worldwide, it earned approximately $17.2 million, with negligible international revenue reported.^[28] It opened on March 6, 1987, in wide release across 815 theaters, earning $3.7 million during its debut weekend and placing fourth at the box office behind Lethal Weapon, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, and Spaceballs.^[29] Subsequent weeks saw a decline, with second-weekend earnings dropping to $2.7 million, reflecting a 26% decrease as audience interest waned.^[29] The film's box office underperformance was influenced by several factors, including its delayed release from a planned December 1986 debut due to an initial X rating from the MPAA over a graphic sex scene involving Lisa Bonet; after multiple appeals and edits, it secured an R rating in February 1987, missing the lucrative holiday season.^[30]^[31] This controversy generated mixed publicity, compounded by divided critical reception and competition from high-profile 1987 releases such as Lethal Weapon, which dominated the early-year market.^[32] Overall, the movie fell short of recouping its budget theatrically.^[28]

Home media

Angel Heart was first made available on home media shortly after its theatrical release, with initial VHS and LaserDisc editions distributed in 1987. The VHS version, released by International Video Entertainment on September 24, 1987, presented the R-rated theatrical cut, while certain LaserDisc editions, such as the unedited version from Image Entertainment, included the full uncut footage that had faced censorship issues during the film's original distribution.^[33]^[34] Subsequent digital releases expanded accessibility and quality. The film debuted on DVD in a special edition from Lions Gate Home Entertainment on December 27, 2000, featuring the uncut 113-minute runtime with enhanced audio and subtitles.^[35] This was followed by a Blu-ray edition on November 24, 2009, also from Lionsgate, offering high-definition video in 1080p with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound, preserving the complete version without the original MPAA-mandated edits.^[35] In 2019, StudioCanal issued a significant 4K UHD restoration, released on October 14, 2019, in the UK and later internationally, utilizing a new 4K scan of the original negative to deliver superior clarity and color grading in Dolby Vision/HDR10. This edition includes the uncut footage and introduces new extras, such as an audio commentary and introduction by director Alan Parker, along with an interview excerpt from Cinéastes des années 80.^[36]^[37] A SteelBook variant followed in 2022 from Lionsgate.^[38] As of 2025, Angel Heart is available for streaming on platforms including Paramount+ and free ad-supported services like Pluto TV, with rental and purchase options on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.^[39]^[40]

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release in 1987, Angel Heart received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric tension and visual style while critiquing its pacing and convoluted conclusion. Roger Ebert awarded the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, commending its "stylish and atmospheric" quality and effective use of location shooting to build a hypnotic mood of dread.^[5] Variety noted the film's stylish execution.^[41] Critics widely acclaimed the performances of Robert De Niro and Mickey Rourke, highlighting De Niro's portrayal of Louis Cyphre for its subtle menace and Rourke's intense embodiment of the beleaguered detective Harry Angel. Ebert noted how De Niro's character "sets the tone" with sharp, unsettling details like his pointed fingernails.^[5] Reviews lauded Rourke's role as one of his career-best, blending world-weary cynicism with vulnerability.^[42] Lisa Bonet's debut as Epiphany Proudfoot drew mixed responses, with some praising her passionate presence while others viewed her explicit scenes as controversial and exploitative.^[43] In modern reassessments, Angel Heart holds an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 34 reviews, establishing its status as a cult neo-noir classic that fuses detective thriller elements with supernatural horror.^[2] Recent analyses from 2025 emphasize its horror aspects, such as the creepy aesthetic and escalating dread that distinguish it from typical genre peers.^[44] One review hails it as a "masterful" blend of noir and supernatural elements that grows more layered upon rewatching.^[42]

Accolades

Angel Heart received recognition primarily through genre awards, with nominations highlighting its screenplay and performances, though it secured no major wins from prominent ceremonies like the Academy Awards or Golden Globes. At the 15th Saturn Awards in 1988, the film earned three nominations from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films: Best Writing for director Alan Parker, Best Supporting Actor for Robert De Niro, and Best Supporting Actress for Lisa Bonet.^[45] These nods underscored the film's atmospheric blend of noir and horror elements, which drew praise for its narrative craftsmanship and acting. Mickey Rourke won the Jupiter Award for Best International Actor in 1988, shared for his roles in Angel Heart and A Prayer for the Dying, acknowledging his portrayal of the tormented private investigator Harry Angel.^[46] Similarly, Lisa Bonet received the Young Artist Award for Best Young Female Superstar in Motion Pictures in 1988 for her role as Epiphany Proudfoot, marking a notable achievement in her transition from television to film.^[45] The film's cast and director also garnered attention at international genre festivals, including the Jupiter Award's focus on popular international cinema, reflecting its cult appeal within horror and mystery communities.^[45]

Cultural impact

Angel Heart (1987) has exerted a notable influence on the neo-noir horror genre, blending detective fiction with supernatural elements in a manner that prefigured later films exploring similar devilish client tropes and atmospheric dread. Its fusion of gritty investigation and occult horror has been cited as a precursor to works like Se7en (1995), where the color noir aesthetic and moral ambiguity in pursuing enigmatic cases echo Parker's approach.^[47] The film's Southern Gothic undertones and psychological unraveling contribute to its genre-blending legacy.^[48] The film's explicit content, particularly the erotic scenes featuring Lisa Bonet as Epiphany Proudfoot, generated significant controversy upon release, igniting broader discussions about Hollywood's treatment of Black actresses in sexually charged roles. Bonet, fresh from her wholesome portrayal on The Cosby Show, faced backlash that highlighted racial and moral double standards, contributing to her temporary exit from the series and underscoring the era's tensions around representation and sexuality for women of color in mainstream cinema.^[13] This debate extended to critiques of how such portrayals often exoticized Black female characters, influencing later conversations on agency and typecasting in the industry.^[49] In pop culture, Angel Heart has achieved cult status, with its plot twists inspiring reinterpretations in mystery narratives that hinge on identity and damnation. Enduring fan analyses frequently delve into the film's Faustian themes, interpreting Harry Angel's journey as a modern retelling of the soul-selling bargain, where ambition leads to inescapable retribution—a motif that resonates in ongoing scholarly and enthusiast discussions of moral ambiguity in horror.^[50] As of 2025, reassessments continue to highlight its slow-burning descent into psychological horror and atmospheric tension.^[51]

Adaptations and variants

TV version

For television broadcast, Angel Heart was adapted into a heavily edited version to comply with content standards prohibiting explicit nudity, graphic violence, and profanity on network airings. This cut primarily targeted the film's controversial sex scene between private investigator Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) and Epiphany Proudfoot (Lisa Bonet), a rain-soaked lovemaking sequence set during a voodoo ritual, which was substantially shortened or removed to eliminate nudity and intense imagery.^[52] Other adjustments included toning down depictions of voodoo ceremonies to reduce supernatural horror elements and incorporating fade-outs or transitions to accommodate commercial breaks.^[53] The resulting TV version retained certain production elements like the cockfight sequence while adding brief flashbacks to World War II scenes for narrative clarification, distinguishing it from the theatrical release.^[52] Prepared in the 1990s for U.S. networks, this edit ran shorter than the original 113-minute runtime, focusing on pacing suitable for a two-hour broadcast slot including ads.^[53] Airing history included multiple U.S. broadcasts on major networks in the late 1990s and early 2000s, often in late-night slots with viewer discretion advisories for remaining mature themes. In the UK, the heavily edited U.S. TV cut was shown on ITV, contributing to its availability across both regions through the decade.^[53]

Deleted scenes

To secure an R rating from the Motion Picture Association of America, director Alan Parker excised approximately 10 seconds of footage from a graphic sex scene between private detective Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) and Epiphany Proudfoot (Lisa Bonet), which originally drew an X rating due to its explicit nature involving simulated intercourse amid dripping blood.^[3] This cut, equivalent to about 11 feet of 35mm film, was made reluctantly during post-production, with Parker criticizing the MPAA's decision as "immature and inadequate" for compromising the scene's artistic integrity and the film's supernatural horror tone.^[3] The removed footage intensified the erotic and violent undertones of the encounter, heightening the supernatural dread tied to Epiphany's voodoo heritage, but Parker deemed it non-essential to the overall narrative flow upon reflection.^[4] Subsequent home media releases, including VHS editions from 1987 and later Blu-ray and 4K UHD versions such as the 2019 StudioCanal UK release, restored this content in unrated cuts, allowing viewers access to the director's preferred vision without further alterations.^[54]^[37] Beyond the rating-mandated trim, Parker eliminated several minor sequences during editing to streamline pacing, including interactions with a news vendor and a resident from Harry Angel's New York apartment building, filmed early in production on April 1, 1986, in the Lower East Side.^[4] These excisions, totaling mere beats rather than extended passages, contributed to tightening the film's investigative rhythm but have not been formally restored or detailed in official extras, though on-set photographs of other unused material—such as alternate angles of character deaths and New York investigation moments—have circulated among fans. The overall impact of these deletions preserved the movie's taut 113-minute runtime while forgoing some atmospheric depth in the urban noir elements.

Remake attempts

In 2008, producers Michael De Luca, Alison Rosenzweig, and Michael Gaeta announced plans to develop a remake of the 1987 film Angel Heart, securing rights to both the original motion picture and William Hjortsberg's underlying novel Falling Angel.^[9] The project aimed to reimagine the neo-noir supernatural thriller but received no further updates after 2009, ultimately stalling without progressing to production.^[55] Several challenges contributed to the remake's failure to materialize, including the difficulty of recapturing the original's unique 1950s setting, atmospheric tone directed by Alan Parker, and the intense performances by leads Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro.^[55] The film's non-traditional horror elements, such as its racial undertones and infamous explicit sex scene, further complicated efforts to update it for modern audiences amid a broader industry trend of waning interest in remakes outside major franchises like Halloween or A Nightmare on Elm Street.^[55] As of 2025, no active remake of Angel Heart is in development, with the original's enduring cult status cited as a key reason it remains unremakable.^[55]

References

[1]
Angel Heart - Alan Parker - Director, Writer, Producer - Official Website
The essential difference in my screenplay was to move the bulk of the story away from New York to New Orleans.The Making Of The Film, Beat... · April 6 · May 25
[2]
Angel Heart - Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 82% (34) A detective takes on a missing person case. Which leads to dead bodies, startling revelations, and a shocking end. The story is intriguing and keeps your ...
[3]
'Angel Heart' Is Cut And Gains an R Rating - The New York Times
Feb 26, 1987 · In order to gain the R rating, Mr. Parker had to cut 10 seconds from the scene to which the ratings board objected. Tri-Star Pictures, the ...
[4]
The Artistic Triumph of Sir Alan Parker's Still Beating 'Angel Heart'
When the film was completed, the MPAA imposed an 'X' rating which would severely limit its release. The US system of censorship is most slippery in that because ...
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Angel Heart movie review & film summary (1987) | Roger Ebert
Rating 3.5/4 · Review by Roger EbertThe movie stars Mickey Rourke as Harry Angel, an unwashed private eye who works out of an office that looks like Sam Spade gave it to the Goodwill. He gets a ...
[6]
Angel Heart (1987) - Plot - IMDb
In 1955, Harry Angel is hired to find singer Johnny Favorite, but the investigation leads to violence, murder, and people dying, as he is forced to look in the ...
[7]
"I Know Who I Am!": The Shifting Identities of 'Angel Heart' - Film Cred
Mar 8, 2022 · Adapted by Parker from William Hjortsberg's 1978 novel Falling Angel, it tells the story of 1950s private detective Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) ...
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Angel Heart (1987) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
Cast ; Mickey Rourke · Harry Angel ; Robert De Niro · Louis Cyphre ; Lisa Bonet · Epiphany Proudfoot ; Charlotte Rampling · Margaret Krusemark ; Stocker Fontelieu · Ethan ...Missing: principal | Show results with:principal
[9]
Trio developing 'Angel Heart' remake - Variety
Sep 30, 2008 · Michael De Luca has partnered with Alison Rosenzweig and Michael Gaeta to develop a bigscreen remake of the 1987 Mickey Rourke supernatural thriller “Angel ...
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Alan Parker's 'Angel Heart' Is Astonishing as Hell
Angel Heart is a haunting psychological horror film about a detective in the occult, with a dark, unsettling atmosphere and horror elements.Missing: summary - | Show results with:summary -
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A Look Back at 'Angel Heart' - Casting Frontier
Oct 1, 2018 · Angel Heart finds Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke), a chain-smoking gumshoe just trying to get by in the post-war 1950s, tracking down an elusive ...
[12]
LISA BONET, LIKE WILD - The Washington Post
Mar 11, 1987 · "Angel Heart" writer-director Alan Parker is English, and cast Bonet without ever having seen "The Cosby Show." He still hasn't. "I started ...
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BONET'S 'ANGEL' HEARTACHE - Los Angeles Times
Feb 26, 1987 · Bonet said that before she took the role, she consulted Cosby and told him there would be nudity. He encouraged her to do what was best for her ...
[14]
The Angel Heart scandal: why Mickey Rourke and Lisa Bonet's ...
Jul 21, 2020 · Cosby claimed “creative differences” were the reason behind Bonet's exit, but neither he nor Bonet herself have commented on the matter since.
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Lisa Bonet Opens Up About Bill Cosby's “Sinister” Energy
Mar 9, 2018 · Bonet and Cosby famously shared tension regarding her professional choices, including his opposition of her role in the 1987 film Angel Heart in ...
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Angel Heart (1987): The Faces - The Sheila Variations
Oct 17, 2008 · The woman who works in the voodoo shop behind the counter had ZERO acting experience but she has a very important scene (mainly of exposition) ...Missing: challenges | Show results with:challenges
[17]
Angel Heart | Film Locations
Despite the Fifties setting, director Alan Parker makes great use of real locations in New York and Louisiana. The scuzzy New York of the period was recreated ...Missing: techniques challenges
[18]
The world's most comprehensive Film database - AFI|Catalog
Angel Heart (1987). R | 113 mins | Drama, Mystery | 1987. Cast: Mickey Rourke ... film's Mar 1987 opening. A 1 Oct 2008 DV article announced that ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[19]
Angel Heart (1987) / Michael Seresin, BSC
Nov 17, 2014 · Master Class American Cinematographer Michael Seresin, BSC connects with AC via Skype to revisit his work on Alan Parker's Angel Heart.
[20]
Angel Heart (1987) Technical Specifications - ShotOnWhat
Rating 4.0 (1) Jun 15, 2019 · The movie Angel Heart, released in 1987 and directed by Alan Parker, was shot on film using ARRIFLEX 35mm Cameras, Panavision Panaflex Camera and Panavision ...Missing: practical | Show results with:practical
[21]
'ANGEL HEART'S' RATING TO BEAT - The Washington Post
Feb 11, 1987 · Alan Parker's "Angel Heart" has become the latest major studio film to receive an X rating from the Motion Picture Association of America's ...
[22]
ANGEL HEART – Trevor Jones | MOVIE MUSIC UK
Mar 16, 2017 · In addition to Jones's score, the soundtrack features several traditional blues and R&B performances, including the classic “Honeyman Blues” ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
[23]
Various - Angel Heart (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
### Summary of Angel Heart Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
[24]
Angel Heart (1987) - Release info - IMDb
Release date · Turkey. March 6, 1987 · United States. March 6, 1987 · Greece. April 7, 1987 · France. April 8, 1987 · Belgium. April 16, 1987(Gent).
[25]
Peeping With Parker | Magazine | The Harvard Crimson
Mar 12, 1987 · So, when the ad for Angel Heart asserted that "Everything You've Heard Is True," my voyeuristic impulses got the best of me. I trusted TriStar, ...Missing: marketing campaign
[26]
Angel Heart Reviews - Metacritic
Rating 3.0 (14) Angel Heart ; My Score. Drag or tap to give a rating Saved ; Release Date Mar 6, 1987 ; Duration 1 h 53 m ; Rating R ; Tagline It will scare you to your very soul.Missing: theatrical | Show results with:theatrical
[27]
Angel Heart (1987) - Box Office Mojo
Lifetime Gross, Rank. Domestic, 1, $17,185,632, 4,169. APAC, # Releases, Lifetime Gross, Rank. New Zealand, 1, $322, 8,084. Latest Updates: News | Daily | ...
[28]
Angel Heart (1987) - Box Office and Financial Information
Financial analysis of Angel Heart (1987) including production budget, domestic and international box office gross, DVD and Blu-ray sales reports.
[29]
Angel Heart - Box Office Mojo
- **Opening Weekend Gross**: $3,688,721
[30]
FIRST OFF . . . - Los Angeles Times
Feb 25, 1987 · Director Alan Parker's "Angel Heart" finally won an R rating Tuesday on what distributor Tri-Star Pictures said was its fourth try with the ...
[31]
X RATING FOR 'ANGEL HEART' IS UPHELD - The New York Times
Feb 14, 1987 · Parker loses his second appeal, Tri-Star will insist that ''Angel Heart'' be re-cut to gain an R rating, under which no one under 17 can be ...
[32]
Domestic Box Office For 1987
Total Gross · Release Date, Distributor, Estimated. Rank, Release, Genre, Budget ... Angel Heart, -, -, -, $17,185,632, 819, $17,185,632, Mar 6, TriStar Pictures ...Missing: performance | Show results with:performance
[33]
Angel Heart - Wikiwand
Mar 6, 1987 · Filming took place on-location in New York City and New Orleans, with principal photography lasting from March to June 1986. Weeks before its ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[34]
Angel Heart 1987 Laserdisc Unedited Edition Mickey Rourke Robert ...
In stock $4.35 deliveryAngel Heart 1987 Laserdisc Unedited Edition Mickey Rourke Robert De Niro ; BadorRad (3784) ; Est. delivery. Thu, Oct 30 - Mon, Nov 3. From Waynesville, Ohio, ...
[35]
Angel Heart Blu-ray - Mickey Rourke Lisa Bonet - DVDBeaver
Theatrical Release: March 6th, 1987. Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews ... DVD Release Date: 12/27/00. Plastic Keepcase. Chapters 20. Release Information ...
[36]
Alan Parker's Angel Heart on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD & Digital in ...
Aug 9, 2019 · Angel Heart will be released on 4K UHS, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital platforms by Studiocanal on 14 October 2019 at yet to be confirmed RRP.
[37]
Angel Heart 4K Blu-ray (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray) (United Kingdom)
Rating 9/10 Nov 2, 2019 · Angel Heart 4K Blu-ray delivers stunning video and reference-quality audio in this exceptional Blu-ray release
[38]
Angel Heart 4K Blu-ray (SteelBook)
Rating 9/10 Jul 14, 2022 · Angel Heart 4K Blu-ray delivers stunning video and audio in this exceptional Blu-ray release. In the 1950s Brooklyn a seedy PI is hired by a shady client to ...
[39]
Angel Heart (1987): Where to Watch and Stream Online | Reelgood
Rating 83% (462) Currently you are able to watch Angel Heart streaming on Paramount+ Premium, Kanopy, Hoopla, PlutoTV, and Paramount+. It is also possible to buy Angel Heart on ...
[40]
Watch Angel Heart | DVD/Blu-ray or Streaming - Paramount Movies
Angel Heart. Drama, Horror. 1987 | R. 1h 49m. Angel Heart - WATCH IT ON DIGITAL ... 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 ...Missing: platforms | Show results with:platforms
[41]
Angel Heart - Variety
Dec 31, 1986 · Reviewed at Karlovy Vary Film Festival (competing), July 9, 2002. Running time: 93 MIN. With: Mickey Rourke Robert De Niro Lisa Bonet Charlotte ...Missing: 1987 style tension
[42]
Revisiting 'Angel Heart' (1987): The Intersection of Film Noir and ...
Jan 7, 2025 · It starts as a straightforward noir detective story before gradually introducing supernatural elements, building to a crescendo of psychological ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
[43]
'Angel Heart' Is A Soft-Core Supernatural Thriller Straight From 1987
Sep 6, 2022 · It's a movie made by white America that cast a black girl, gave her voodoo things to do, and have sex,” was his take.Missing: challenges | Show results with:challenges
[44]
Sleuthing is a Nightmare in 'Angel Heart' - Peterson Reviews
Sep 11, 2025 · The creepy aesthetic of Alan Parker's horror-inflected detective movie from 1987 is the strongest thing about it.Missing: Cannes | Show results with:Cannes
[45]
Awards - Angel Heart (1987) - IMDb
Angel Heart received 2 wins and 5 nominations, including a Young Artist Award for Lisa Bonet and a Jupiter Award for Mickey Rourke. It was also nominated for ...
[46]
Jupiter Award (1988) - IMDb
Award-winners and contenders from Jupiter Award ( ... Mickey Rourke. Winner. Mickey Rourke · Angel Heart · A Prayer for the Dying. Robert ...
[47]
Seven: Sins of a Serial Killer - American Cinematographer
Jun 1, 2017 · Does Seven follow the “color noir” approach pioneered and later re-visualized in such films as Chinatown, Blade Runner and Angel Heart? “Well, ...
[48]
20 Essential Films That Blur the Line Between Horror and Noir
Oct 29, 2019 · Angel Heart (1987). Private investigator Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) ... Like its predecessor, Seven encompasses both noir and horror; in ...
[49]
Throwback Thursday – When Mickey Rourke Met Lucifer - Black Gate
Feb 6, 2025 · The most infamous Angel Heart controversy involved the raw sex scene between Rourke and Bonet. This scene, which featured nudity, blood, and disturbing imagery ...
[50]
Terrible Wisdom: an appreciation of Alan Parker's Angel Heart
Oct 6, 2014 · The original german legend has a bored and disenchanted man named Faust make a bargain with the Devil, in return for rights to his soul his soul ...
[51]
Angel Heart ***** (1987, Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet ...
Sep 4, 2013 · Angel Heart ***** (1987, Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet ... The American TV version edits the sex scene, keeps the cockfight ...
[52]
Alternate versions - Angel Heart (1987) - IMDb
This cockfight has been seen in a heavily edited US TV version screened in the UK on ITV. Approximately 3 minutes was censored by the India's Censor Board ( ...Missing: ABC runtime 96
[53]
Video of 'Angel Heart' Restores Edited Scene - The New York Times
Jul 23, 1987 · An extra minute and a half was added to M-G-M's home video version of ''9 1/2 Weeks,'' but the additional sexual material was not enough to ...Missing: 96 | Show results with:96
[54]
Angel Heart Has Yet to Be Remade - And That's Fine
Sep 10, 2023 · Despite attempts to do so, controversial '80s horror classic Angel Heart has yet to be remade, and it'd be nearly impossible to do so, ...