Depicting war is never easy. Some do it good, while some do it appallingly bad. However, Darksiders has a specific and very unique way of depicting the war. By making you become, in a way of speaking, WAR personified.
And yes, we did previously cover similar and very connected topics before here at IndieGala. Interesting military-related topics like air combat in movies, movies depicting special ops, and finally movies featuring great military leaders. However, Darksiders offers a different perspective on the entire hack and slash genre. A different take on the battle between good and evil.
But before we get to more war related content, we must mention that there’s Darksiders sale here on IndieGala that’s worth checking out. Perfect for killing time during the pandemic, and for general entertainment as well.
Let’s take a quick look at the Darksiders game itself, before delving into the dark side of history.
Darksiders: What’s the game all about?
Developed by Vigil Games and published by THQ, Darksiders is a hack and slash, action/adventure type of a video game. The most noteworthy inspiration behind the Darksiders are, in fact, the figures from the New Testament. The four horsemen of the Apocalypse of course.
Mentioned in the book of the Revelation, they are given authority over a quarter of the Earth. Furthermore, their authority is to kill with sword, famine, and plague, and bring mayhem and destruction.
The game series on the other hand, are set on a post-apocalyptic Earth. The mankind faces near-extinction and angels fight a losing battle against the demon hordes for control over the world. Among them are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and they’re tasked to bring balance to the universe.
In the first Darksiders you take the role of War. The Charred Council (wrongfully) blames him for destroying the balance and starting the apocalypse too soon. He vows to find the one truly responsible in order to clear his name, so he is sent back to Earth. Additionally 100 years have passed since his imprisonment. So, it’s up to you to make the second time count and find the culprit(s).
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Hollywood
Before getting to the angels, demons and other biblical characters, did you know that there are two different Hollywood movies that are called The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Indeed there are, and they’re both very good, I might add. They’re much older movies to be perfectly honest, but worth checking out.
First and foremost, the 1921’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a silent movie. It’s based on the Spanish novel of the same name and additionally has Rudolf Valentino in the lead role. Arguably one of the greatest movie stars of the Silent Era, don’t you think?
The second Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is also loosely based on the aforementioned book. Released in 1962, the film was a critical and commercial failure, despite having a stellar cast. And a fantastic director I might add. The great Vincente Minnelli. The critics disliked the presence of Glenn Ford (considering him miscast and too old for the role). But the European audiences were much kinder to the film.
Darksiders and The Prophecy
But for now let’s focus on one of the best and intriguing movies ever made. And more recent I might add.
The Prophecy. First released in 1995, The Prophecy produced several direct-to video sequels in the years that followed. However the 90’s movie remains the true relic of fantasy/action/horror genre, and it’s the one that I highly recommend.
With a fantastic director behind the camera and stellar cast in front of it, the Prophecy is a true underrated gem of the 90’s. And just what that stellar cast consists of? Well, you have the Academy Award winner Christopher Walken in the role of Gabriel. While the Danish virtuoso Viggo Mortensen is the ultimate bad boy -Lucifer.
The Prophecy tells the story of the Archangel Gabriel (Christopher Walken) and his search for an evil soul on Earth. One police detective (Elias Koteas) unknowingly becomes caught in the middle of an angelic civil war. And in the process of the long battle between good and evil, he learns the meaning of being human as well.
As previously mentioned, the film spawned three additional direct to video sequels. In fact the last two The Prophecy: Uprising and The Prophecy: Forsaken were released in the same year, 2005. And being the true professional that he is, Christopher Walker even appeared in the first three movies of The Prophecy franchise.
Great cast and lots of garlic for them
But going back to the cast, there are plenty of great actors in the line-up of the 1995 movie. Not just Christopher Walker, Elias Koteas and Viggo Mortnesen. Eric Stoltz, Amanda Plummer, Virginia Madsen are there, and they’re awesome. And so is Adam Goldberg in a supporting role.
Fun fact: Wiggo Mortensen claims that Christopher Walken deliberately ate a lot of garlic prior shooting their scene together. Perfect for repelling Lucifer don’t you think? And if you think about it, all three of them (Walken, Plummer and Stoltz) appeared together in Pulp Fiction, just one year before the release of The Prophecy. How cool is that?
But one fantastic symbolism throughout the entire movie series is barely noticeable. The looming presence of the birds. Different types of birds actually. According to the director, they’re supposed to represent the angels. For example, when Gabriel perches on a bench he looks exactly like a bird. At least his silhouette does. Furthermore, Lucifer explodes into crows in the second film. And finally, Gabriel explodes into doves when departing at the end of the third film. Awesome right?
Watch the Prophesy movies if you have the chance. They’re really atmospheric and stylish as well.
Your thoughts
Did you like The Prophecy film series? How about Darksiders– the video game? Tell us all about it in the comment section.
