Dogma

Name: Dogma
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure
Released: 1999-10-04
Duration: 2 h 10 min
Rating: 7.5
Cast: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Salma Hayek Pinault, Jason Lee

It can be Hell getting into Heaven

Dogma (1999)

Timing: 2:10 (130 min)

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6.9/10
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7.3/10
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Everything about the movie

Video 10

Photo 122

Actors and characters

2:21

Photo 122

Release date

1999-10-04

Country

United States

Production

Lionsgate, Film4 Productions, Miramax, View Askew Productions, STK Films

Genre

Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure

Budget

$10 000 000

Box office

$31 127 734

Website

http://www.dogma-movie.com/

Director

Kevin Smith

Actors

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Salma Hayek Pinault, Jason Lee, Jason Mewes, Alan Rickman, Chris Rock, George Carlin, Bud Cort
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Kevin Smith

Producer

Scott Mosier, Jonathan Gordon

Camera operator

Robert D. Yeoman

Composer

Howard Shore

Artist

Robert Holtzman

Audition

Editing

Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier
Whole Team (52)

Short description

The latest battle in the eternal war between Good and Evil has come to New Jersey in the late, late 20th Century. Angels, demons, apostles and prophets (of a sort) walk among the cynics and innocents of America and duke it out for the fate of humankind.

What's left behind the scenes

During filming, the project was known as “Bearclaw”.
Several Roman Catholic organizations called for a boycott of this film.
The footage showing the train from the outside was borrowed from the film 'Narrow Margin'.
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.
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.
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.
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 the initial script versions, the dialogue between Loki and the nun was much more vulgar.
The clothing of each of the angels (Metatron, Bartleby, and Loki) includes hoods, which symbolize their halos.
The transition between scenes is done as in "Star Wars": a gradual change from one frame to another.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bill Murray and Adam Sandler were considered for the role of Azrael.
All the angels wear the same clothes, differing only in color.
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.
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.
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.
According to Kevin Smith, Gillian Anderson was the initial choice for the role of Bethany.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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).
"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.
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 role of Loki was specifically written for Jason Lee, but due to commitments to other projects, he turned it down, instead playing Azrael.
Rufus’s line, “Do I know him? That n-word owes me 12 bucks!” is an improvisation by Chris Rock.
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.
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?
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.”
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'.
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.
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.
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.
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.