Angel Heart (1987): 5 Twists Dropped from the Film

Exploring 5 twists in the original draft of the screenplay that did not make it to the final film.

Angel Heart, a film released in 1987, was written and directed by Alan Parker and based on the novel, "Fallen Angel" by William Hjortsberg. Lisa Bonet played Epiphany Proudfoot. Harry Angel was played by Mickey Rourke. Louis Cyphre was played by Robert de Niro.

Disclaimer: This is an analysis that explores the many concepts of filmmaking for the purposes of study, research, and commentary created under the allowances of "fair use".

[KidFresh]

Saw Angel Heart as a teenager, and it's always stayed with me amongst my very favorite films. Like a mix between Blade Runner, The Shining, Dark City, Se7en, Clockwork Orange.... its own unique movie and one of the all time classics.

[Concreteowl]

I love all the goofy puns in the names. Hark the Herald Angels sing. Harold Angel sings.... Geddit? 😁

[derekschoenike]

Every video you do on Angel Heart is superb. It's one of my favorite films.

[wybub]

Since Angel Heart is obviously a film that has real magic, I like to imagine that the spell to steal Harry Angel's soul worked too well--So that when Favorite was damaged in the war, it wasn't just being told his name was Harry Angel--But Harry's very soul that took over, living in tandem with Johnny's. I think it makes it all the more tragic because the soul of an innocent man gets damned due to Johnny's actions as well.

[geoleo]

I've seen Angel Heart probably 20 times, but I've never understood as much detail as you describe here. This is an absolutely deep movie; one that reveals new details each and every time and still leaves you blown away. This movie has one of the best written scripts in movie history. But now it twists even more because you reveal differences from the original book, the screenplay, the script, and the actual movie release. It's quite impressive how you're able to navigate between all those sources. Nice work, CineG. ✌🏽

I love the subtle (or maybe not so subtle) symbolism with the fan and cage elevator randomly revealing themselves throughout the film. Hell's gate and death awaits...pay your dues Johnny 💀

[williamdillard]

Thank you Sir for explaining things I hadn't figured out in over 30 years. Because of the so called Lisa Bonet "Controversy" and because I saw "Midnight Express" and love Alan Parker's work. I went and saw "Angel Heart" at the drive in movie theater back in the summer of 88. I thought way back then that it was phenomenal. I've always admired Mickey Rourke. He was amazing in "Johnny Handsome" also a New Orleans flick.

[ricktoledo]

I finally saw this movie for the very first time last week on a Tuesday Night around 2am, and let me tell you... I was unbelievably disturbed and creeped the fuck out down to my very soul for real!! I literally felt dread and doom and sickness and paranoia and I couldn't sleep afterwards... I also had a very disturbing and deeply unsettling and unbelievably upsetting dream as well... Micky Rourke's scream at the end of the film's revelation is that surreal thing in which Nightmares are made of... my spirit is deeply grieved whenever I think of this film now 🥺💔🤯💔😱💔😵💔

[leemcalister]

I not long ago read the book. Your synopsis is good.

[ronaldwillingham]

I never knew this movie had so many underlying motives. Now I do.

[Sidragrosm]

I've always held that (the film at least - in the novel, you had this sense of dread that ~maybe~ Harry Angel, at the behest of Louis Cypher, was somehow, someway chasing himself) that there was a secret that EVERYONE was in on - everyone but Harry Angel.
Of course I still say to this day, that the REAL "Twist..?" was that in this film (and novel) there WAS no protagonist; That the "Good Guy..?" was in fact a very, VERY Bad Guy - and that the "Bad Guy..?" was even *WORSE!* THE worst, in fact!
Ya don't see that too damn often, do ya?
(Oh, and your observations..? Totally Spot On!)

[mattinthehat]

I need to find a copy of this book and read it. I've always enjoyed this movie and now I definitely need to find and read the source material.

[fgoindarkg]

Y'all need to think about the meaning of Favourite/Angel.
Mickey is the nickname of who?

[dionysoscub]

In the original script was Connie murdered at some point. I recall shortly before the film's release reading an article, featuring a shot of a woman's partially-clad body in a dumpster that looked a lot like her. I'd a also figured it was just cut from the film.

[jondstewart]

Harry followed Margaret to the streetcar. He already knew who she was and what she looked like. It’s not like she sended him a text message of herself and where to meet her.

[mimiandy]

I must say... Johnny's plan was absolutely-friggin'-stupid, in my opinion. All he did was killed a man and stolen his identity. His plan obviously didn't work, ever since the Devil knew where he was living.

Johnny appeared to be the kind of man that was cocky and arrogant for his own good. The type, who also thought they could get one over on anybody. But he made the mistake of trying to scam the Devil.

I do wonder what motivated Johnny to attempt to finagle his way out of that contract.

[Gonar]

Turns out Lucifer takes form of a different person every few hundred years. Cipher was grooming Favorite to take his place .Now that's if you decide the sequel book is Canon.Cipher himself was two identitys mixed together as all incarnations of Lucifer are. Don't think the sequel was released in America. In England as a paperback and a nice expensive hardcover from Centipede Press. The sequel meanders like a travel log. The last few chapters have some interesting ideas. The author died before he could edit it down. The book is called Angels Inferno. Looks like it's on Amazon.

[katjagolden]

I honestly believe since I was a teen that I lived from 1880s-1940s. I never saw the 50s. I’m a historian & obsessed with this time period. I feel at home in a Victorian home and old, old cars. I used to sit in my uncles old 1932 Model A when I was a little kid in the 70-80s. I was thrilled to pieces when I asked my cousin to be our chauffeur after my 1999 wedding. It was a dream come true that I finally got to be driven around in that old car. He drove us all around town. When showing my wedding photos to people I explain the car is the “3rd main subject”. I went with the photographer and choreographed all my pictures. The church is one of the oldest in town.
If I really did live before I hope I wasn’t evil. It’s not in me but you never know. I do have a near death experience. I was found dead laying on top of my boys, shielding them in a F4 tornado. The boys are fine and grown now but I am paralyzed from the waist down. The price I pay for saving them. This was back in 2006. They were 3 & 6, and I 34

[nicholasjanke]

MORE QUESTIONS-1. WHO murdered Winesap? A. Did Favorite's memory come back right after his meeting with Cypher and Winesap, and Angel/Favorite murdered Winesap? Another one of the Favorite blackout episodes that happens to the detective throughout the movie when he then commits a murder? B. Did Cypher hire someone else to murder Winesap? 2. HOW did nearly all the members of The Spider Simpson Orchestra (with the exception of Spider Simpson and Johnny Favorite) all wind up dead? (as per what Angel's reporter lover tells him). Did Favorite murder his fellow band members?

[waltbbadd]

Curious if you read the sequel Hjortsberg wrote

[FranSanTeeth]

Question could aWhite man head an all Black band before the war?
I think thats an untapped secret Johnny is mixed race and passing for Black or White depending on what he needs.