The Astrologer (also known as Suicide Cult) is a 1975 American horror film directed by James Glickenhaus and starring Bob Byrd, Mark Buntzman, and James Glickenhaus.[2][3]
![]() | This article is missing information about the film's theatrical and home media releases, and critical reception. (April 2019) |
The Astrologer | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | James Glickenhaus (as Jim Glickenhaus) |
Written by | James Glickenhaus (uncredited) |
Based on | The Astrologer by John Cameron |
Produced by | Mark Buntzman |
Starring | Bob Byrd Mark Buntzman James Glickenhaus |
Cinematography | Francis A. Romero |
Edited by | Victor Zimet |
Music by | Brad Fiedel |
Distributed by | Republic Arts |
Release date | December 1975 |
Running time | 96 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $65,000[1] |
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A scientist who is investigating reports of the Second Coming of Christ ends up in conflict with a Satan-worshipping suicide cult.
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Glickenhaus says that he made the movie for about $20,000.[4] "I'd inherited some money," Glickenhaus told The New York Times, "and I took all of it and lost it making a movie called 'The Astrologer.' I'd been to film school, but film school was oriented more toward the avant-garde in those days, and I didn't really know what a master was or a cutaway or a closeup. And I had great trouble conveying ideas, except in dialogue. So 'The Astrologer,' which was about 79 minutes long, was probably 60 minutes of dialogue. I mean, it was interminable. I didn't think it was interminable then. I thought it was great and interesting and fascinating to listen to." The film took him two years to produce from start to finish.[5]
The film's soundtrack was composed by Brad Fiedel, in his debut.[6]
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With no independent distributors interested in acquiring the film, Glickenhaus convinced some drive-in theaters in the South to screen it.[4] He later recalled, "Even though it was a terrible movie, people didn't absolutely hate it. But I realized by watching them that the only parts they liked were the parts with action."[5]
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Films directed by James Glickenhaus | |
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