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A Prayer for the Dying

A Prayer for the Dying

Crime · Drama · Action · 1987

Martin, an I.R.A. hitman, is seen by a Catholic priest while carrying out a hit. He grows a bond with the priest and his niece. But his past and his former employers put all their lives in danger.

Movie details

A Prayer for the Dying

“Freedom always comes with a price.”

1987 Crime · Drama · Action 1h 47m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

5.9 / 10

Community rating

Martin, an I.R.A. hitman, is seen by a Catholic priest while carrying out a hit. He grows a bond with the priest and his niece. But his past and his former employers put all their lives in danger.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over A Prayer for the Dying?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Mike Hodges

Written by

Edmund Ward · Martin Lynch

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke

Martin Fallon

Bob Hoskins

Bob Hoskins

Father Michael Da Costa

Alan Bates

Alan Bates

Jack Meehan

Sammi Davis

Sammi Davis

Anna

Christopher Fulford

Christopher Fulford

Billy Meehan

Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson

Liam Docherty

Leonard Termo

Leonard Termo

Bonati

Court is in session

Put A Prayer for the Dying on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.