Dogma
Get "touched" by an angel.
Country
Production
Budget
$10 000 000
Revenue
$31 127 734
Website
Director
Actors
Scenario
Producer
Scott Mosier, Jonathan Gordon
Operator
Composer
Artist
Robert Holtzman
Audition
Editing
Short description
Two angels who fell from grace long ago have been stuck ever since in Wisconsin, and they want nothing more than to go home. When Loki and Bartleby learn of a church anniversary celebration in New Jersey where a cardinal has declared a general plenary indulgence for anyone who passes through its doors, they see their way back into Heaven. The problem is that their return would prove God fallible and undo all of existence. Bethany, an abortion clinic worker whose faith is shaky and whose lineage is unusual, is asked by the voice of God to stop them. She is joined by two would-be prophets, a purported thirteenth apostle and a muse who has spent centuries on Earth, alongside the demon Azrael, who has his own interest in the angels' scheme.
Kevin Smith wrote and directed the film, his fourth behind the camera, following Chasing Amy and preceding Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, with Scott Mosier producing. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon play Bartleby and Loki, Linda Fiorentino plays Bethany, and Salma Hayek Pinault, Jason Lee and Jason Mewes are among the large credited cast.
Made for about 10 million dollars, it took roughly 34 million worldwide. On IMDb it holds 7.3/10 from around 240,000 votes, while on TMDB it sits at 6.9/10 from a much smaller number of votes, close to the critics' rating of 6.9/10 from 149 reviews.
What's left behind the scenes
- Several Roman Catholic organizations called for a boycott of this film.
- According to Kevin Smith, Gillian Anderson was the initial choice for the role of Bethany.
- The execution scene in the boardroom was intended to resemble John Woo films, but Kevin Smith decided to abandon the idea at the last moment.
- Bartleby and Loki's mailing address is 345 Redemption Blvd, Milwakee. The address can be seen on the envelope containing the newspaper clipping.
- After Silent Bob throws the angels off the train, he says to the surprised passenger: “Fare dodger.” This is a reference to the film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”
- There were about eight versions of the script, one of which (the third) leaked online even before the film's release. This version caused the most protest from religious organizations.
- On the train, when Silent Bob grabs Bartleby, the latter shouts: "Schuler Bob? You've completely lost it, Schuler Bob!". This phrase was not in the script and is an improvisation by the actor. Ben Affleck wanted to say "Silent Bob" in German, but it turned out something else: the fact is that "schueler" in German means "student". Despite Affleck's mistake, Kevin Smith decided to leave this scene in the film.
- Kevin Smith really wanted Robert Rodriguez to direct the film. Robert liked the script, but believed it was too personal a story and insisted that Smith direct it himself.
- The clothing of each of the angels (Metatron, Bartleby, and Loki) includes hoods, which symbolize their halos.
- In one scene of the film, Silent Bob is reading a copy of USA Today. Kevin Smith met his wife during an interview she conducted with him for this newspaper.
- Throughout the film, Silent Bob says three words (two in the Russian translation): “fare dodger” on the train; and “thank you” after Rufus speaks to Jay before returning to heaven.
- The role of Loki was specifically written for Jason Lee, but due to commitments to other projects, he turned it down, instead playing Azrael.
- Joey Lauren Adams was considered for the role of Bethany.
- When Azrael tells Silent Bob to hit him with a golf club, he verbatim repeats a monologue from the movie 'The Howling': “Come on, take it. Don't be shy. Take it. That's it. Consider it a gift from me. I’m feeling generous today, be bolder. Come on, buffalo.”
- "Dogma" is the fourth film in the so-called View Askewniverse. Other films include "Clerks" (1994), "Mallrats" (1995), "Chasing Amy" (1996), "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" (2001), and "Clerks 2" (2006). All these films are united by common characters, storylines, events, and contain numerous hints and references to each other.
- Bill Murray and Adam Sandler were considered for the role of Azrael.
- The film contains references and allusions to various comics. For example, one of the Hellspawn Trio is wearing a Hellboy t-shirt; Bartleby says, “Don’t make me angry. You won’t like me when I’m angry,” which is a reference to Hulk; a Madman toy can be spotted in a children's store.
- In the opening scene, at the airport, Gwyneth Paltrow sits near Ben Affleck. We never actually see her on screen, as she wasn't planning to appear in the film even in a cameo, but was invited to the set by Ben Affleck.
- Originally, Alanis Morissette was supposed to play Bethany Sloan, but she couldn't do it due to her world tour. However, she still appeared in the film, playing the role of God.
- All the angels wear the same clothes, differing only in color.
- After Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier learned that Alan Rickman was a big fan of “Chasing Amy,” they immediately offered him the role of Metatron. After reading the script, Rickman asked only two questions: 1) Will the film adhere strictly to the script?; 2) Will the wings be computer-generated or mechanical?
- In the initial script versions, the dialogue between Loki and the nun was much more vulgar.
- The role of God was written for Holly Hunter, but she was unable to participate in the film. Despite this, a reference to "The Piano" remained in the movie.
- There were eight different script versions, but none of them mentioned God deciding to clean up the street after what the angels had done. This scene was included in the film at the very last moment.
- Kevin Smith wrote a draft of the screenplay in the early 1990s and planned to film "Dogma" immediately after "Clerks", the end credits of which state that "Jay and Silent Bob will return in 'Dogma'." However, Smith was not fully satisfied with the script and decided to postpone the project. He also wanted to make a film with high-quality special effects.
- Robert Holtzman, the film's set decorator, played the role of a police officer. There is also a character in the film named after him – Mr. Holtzman.
- After meeting Bethany, Jay says, "I'm like Han, you're Chewie, she's Ben Kenobi, and we're in this goddamn bar!". This phrase is a reference to "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" (1977).
- Rufus’s line, “Do I know him? That n-word owes me 12 bucks!” is an improvisation by Chris Rock.
- After God resurrects Bethany, Metatron says: “She’s got the technique. She heals. Makes you better, stronger, faster…” This phrase is a reference to the film “The Six Million Dollar Man.”
- The design of The Mooby restaurant's outdoor dining area was specifically created for the film. The shape of the area resembles a giant meat grinder.
- The film contains several references and allusions to George Carlin, including the name Rufus (his character from 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure' and 'Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey'), as well as quotes from his performances.
- The screenwriter, director, and one of the film's stars, Kevin Smith "participated" in a boycott of his own film, organized by religious groups. He stood in the crowd with a vulgar poster and even gave an interview to television under the name of his friend Brian Johnson. When asked, "What are you protesting?" He replied: "I don't know, but I was told, against "something bad".
- In one scene, Jay and Silent Bob talk about searching for the fictional town of Shermer. This is a nod to John Hughes' films. Later, Rufus recounts Bethany's past, mentioning a child named Brian Johnson. A character in John Hughes’ film “The Breakfast Club,” which takes place in Shermer, also bore that name.
- According to Kevin Smith, it was very difficult for him to work with Linda Fiorentino. It got to the point where they didn't speak to each other for days. Smith says he regrets not giving the role of Bethany to Janine Garofalo.
- The footage showing the train from the outside was borrowed from the film 'Narrow Margin'.
- Rufus talks about Vefania’s past, mentioning a child named Brian Johnson. Brian Johnson is a friend of Kevin Smith who has appeared in most of his films. Johnson is also a screenwriter and director, having directed 'P.O.V.' – the first film from View Askew Studios not directed by Kevin Smith.
- After several failed takes of the scene where Jay was supposed to shout at God demanding explanations for what had happened, Kevin Smith told Jason Mewes to simply imitate Daffy Duck.
- The transition between scenes is done as in "Star Wars": a gradual change from one frame to another.
- When Azrael talks to Bartleby and Loki in the children's world, a Madman toy can be seen in the background. Madman is a character created by Mike Allred, who drew comics shown in 'Chasing Amy'.
- Albert Brooks was considered for the role of Cardinal Glick.
- Emma Thompson was also considered for the role of God, but she was unable to participate in the film due to the birth of her child.
- During filming, the project was known as “Bearclaw”.
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