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Movies / On DVD / The Ninth Gate
The Ninth Gate

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The Ninth Gate (1999)

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42 %
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Reviews Counted:84

Fresh:35

Rotten:49

Average Rating:4.9/10

Consensus: Even though the film is stylish and atmospheric, critics say The Ninth Gate meanders aimlessly and is often ludicrous. And despite the advertising, there's hardly any chills.

Runtime: 2 hrs 13 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Synopsis: Based on a novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte (THE CLUB DUMAS) and coscripted by director Roman Polanski, THE NINTH GATE was Polanski's first feature after a long break following the release of 1995's... Based on a novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte (THE CLUB DUMAS) and coscripted by director Roman Polanski, THE NINTH GATE was Polanski's first feature after a long break following the release of 1995's DEATH AND THE MAIDEN--in between, there was an aborted project that faltered when designated star John Travolta opted out. Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) is a cynical rare books dealer hired by Boris Balkan (Frank Langella), a scholar specializing in books on Satanism, to recover the only two remaining copies (in addition to the one owned by Balkan) of THE NINE GATES OF THE KINGDOM OF SHADOWS, a 17th-century text with cryptic illustrations supposedly contributed by Lucifer himself. Corso's investigation takes him to Europe, where he is pursued by a strange girl (Emmanuelle Seigner) who seemes to assume the role of his guardian angel: Bizarre deaths inspired by the book's morbid illustrations befall all those who come into contact with the book--except himself. This occult mystery should satisfy fans of subtly creepy, stylish tales of the supernatural along the lines of Polanski's own ROSEMARY'S BABY. [More]

Starring: Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, Emmanuelle Seigner

Starring: Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, Emmanuelle Seigner, Barbara Jefford, Jose Lopez Rodero, James Russo

Director: Roman Polanski

Director: Roman Polanski
Screenwriter: John Brownjohn, Roman Polanski, Enrique Urbizu
Producer: Roman Polanski
Composer: Wojciech Kilar

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Ninth Gate

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Sight and Sound | comment Comment
12/02/02
Philip Strick
Philip Strick
Sight and Sound
N/R

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Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
12/10/01
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
N/R

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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
07/03/01
Empire Magazine
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Empire Magazine
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Empire Magazine
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Full Review Source: UK Critic | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
UK Critic

Sorely underrated...wisely counter-cultural to Hollywood's idea of what a supernatural thriller should be. [Blu-ray]

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
08/17/09
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

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Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Bob Grimm
Bob Grimm
Sacramento News & Review
N/R

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
06/17/08
Lisa Nesselson
Lisa Nesselson
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

Sometimes dry, sometimes wacky, but surprisingly compelling throughout.

Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com | comment Comment
05/13/07
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
DVDTalk.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

At least the action is moved by earthbound dementia rather than by the power of a divinity.

Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
10/29/04
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

The Ninth Gate est un énième film sous-évalué qui mérite davantage d’attention et de reconnaissance.

Full Review Source: Panorama | comment Comment
10/07/04
Louis-Jérôme Cloutier
Louis-Jérôme Cloutier
Panorama

The first hour of the picture is sublime.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
06/05/03
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

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Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
04/25/03
Globe and Mail
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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | comment Comment
10/15/02
Margaret A. McGurk
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer

The material remains too trifling and ultimately ludricrous to justify the care that's gone into the production.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
09/09/02
Kevin Lally
Kevin Lally
Film Journal International
 
 
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