Anne Harman
I admit I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to fright and gore... so this was an enjoyable watch for me. It interested me on an intellectual level without being completely nightmarish. I don't even watch the nightmarish films, so I can't compare this to them. This was quite a good story, set in a lovely English countryside. I would recommend it for people who like historical Christian fiction.
johnstonjames
a lot of critics didn't like this. i thought it was pretty good. a little under developed and under nourished, but i heard it was edited by about ten minutes. those few minutes would have helped clarify the plot a little more. but as it was, i really liked the premise.it was about a group of cursed souls that witnessed the crucifixion of Christ and either did nothing but watch, or came to see the violence like some come to enjoy executions.this film really was a statement on the death penalty and our fascination with cruelty and our indifference to the suffering of others. those things may or may not damn us eternally, only God in Heaven knows these answers, but the speculation here is something to ponder. in all my years of living i have observed people to be either very cruel or very callous to the suffering of others. i see so much hardship and so little caring, it's very disturbing. many people know the stories, the woman in New York crying for help while people close their windows and do nothing. the soldiers in Afghanistan who went on a killing spree of innocent civilians recently,...need i go further? it's too depressing so lets not.do these things damn us? well, i happen to be a Baptist so maybe i'm not the right person to ask.this was a good film though. it had a lot more to say than a lot of critics would want you to think.
whpratt1
This horror film deals with a church that is buried beneath the earth and it has a scene which depicts Jesus Christ being hung on a cross and their is a large crowd of people who just simply watch and do nothing to try to prevent this murder. Cassie Grant, (Christina Ricci) who is driving her car and runs into a young girl named Marion Kirkman, (Kerry Fox) and Cassie takes care of Marion who has amnesia and cannot remember just who she is. As the film progresses, Marion begins to see many people in the local town who just stare at her and she becomes very close friends with Cassie Grant's children and begins to see that these children are in grave danger from these people who just wander all around and simply just staring and watching every move that they make. There is a deep meaning to this film and it is not just an ordinary horror film but deals with a religious Bible story.
w-sky
Yes, unfortunately most DVD releases of "The Gathering" are cut, and that slightly ruins the film. Not because a short explicit scene would make a great difference, but because plot holes were left where about 10 minutes are left out: The authenticity of two main characters, played by Ricci (Cassie) and Gruffudd (Dan) is keenly impaired, and that reduces the overall impression quite a lot. My rating counts for the original version, it would have been 6 for the short version. More info about the differences at "alternate versions" and in the message boards here.Apart from that, this film has a really nice and intriguing story, mystery, suspense, some religious revelations, a little bit of horror and a gorgeous main actress. Worth watching... if you can get it uncut.
AD
