Dogma
It can be Hell getting into Heaven
Country
Production
Budget
$10 000 000
Box office
$31 127 734
Website
Director
Actors
Scenario
Producer
Scott Mosier, Jonathan Gordon
Camera operator
Composer
Artist
Robert Holtzman
Audition
Editing
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.
- According to Kevin Smith, Gillian Anderson was the original choice for the role of Bethany.
- 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.
- The execution scene in the boardroom was intended to be styled after John Woo's films, but at the last moment, Kevin Smith decided to scrap the idea.
- 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 screams: "Schüler Bob? Have you gone completely mad, Schüler Bob!". This phrase was not in the script and was an improvisation by the actor. Ben Affleck wanted to say "Silent Bob" in German, but it ended up as something else: the fact is that "Schüler" in German means "student". Despite Affleck's mistake, Kevin Smith decided to keep the scene in the movie.
- 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.
- Kevin Smith desperately wanted Robert Rodriguez to direct the film. Robert liked the script, but in his opinion, it was too personal a story, and therefore he insisted that Smith direct the film himself.
- 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.
- The role of Loki was written specifically for Jason Lee, but due to commitments to other projects, he declined, playing Azrael instead.
- 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.
- Joey Lauren Adams was considered for the role of Bethany.
- When Azrael tells Silent Bob to hit him with the golf club, he verbatim repeats a monologue from the movie "Howl": "Go on, take it. Don't be shy. Take it. That's it. Consider it my gift. I'm feeling generous today, go ahead. Come on, big guy."
- "Dogma" became 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 II" (2006). All these films are linked by shared characters, plotlines, and events, and contain numerous hints and references to one another.
- 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.
- 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 is sitting near Ben Affleck. We never actually see her on screen, as she did not intend to appear in the film even in a cameo; she had simply been invited to the set by Ben Affleck.
- 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.
- After Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier learned that Alan Rickman was a big fan of the movie 'Chasing Amy', they immediately offered him the role of Metatron. After reading the script, Rickman asked only two questions: 1) would the movie follow the script exactly?; 2) would the wings be CGI or mechanical?
- In the original drafts of the script, the dialogue between Loki and the nun was much more vulgar.
- 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.
- Kevin Smith wrote the first draft of the screenplay in the early 1990s and planned to direct 'Dogma' immediately after 'Clerks', whose closing credits stated that 'Jay and Silent Bob will return in Dogma'. However, Smith was not entirely satisfied with the script and decided to postpone the project. Additionally, he wanted to make the film with high-quality special effects.
- 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.
- After meeting Withania, Jay says: "I'm like Han, you're Chewie, she's Ben Kenobi, and we're in this damn bar!". This phrase is a reference to "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" (1977).
- 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.
- Rufus's line, "Do I know him? That nigger owes me 12 bucks!", was an improvisation by Chris Rock.
- 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.
- The film contains several references and nods 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 stand-up performances.
- 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.”
- In one scene, Jay and Silent Bob mention that they were looking for the fictional town of Shermer. This is a nod to John Hughes' films. Later, Rufus talks about the past of Bethany, mentioning a child named Brian Johnson. This was also the name of a character from John Hughes' film "The Breakfast Club," which took place in Shermer.
- 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'.
- Rufus talks about the past of Bethany, 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; he directed "Jay and Silent Bob Against the World" (originally "The Obscene One") — the first View Askew studio film not directed by Kevin Smith.
- After several failed takes of the scene where Jay was supposed to scream at God demanding explanations for what had happened, Kevin Smith told Jason Mewes to simply imitate Daffy Duck.
- The transition between scenes is done in the same way as in "Star Wars": a gradual fade from one shot to another.
- 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.
- When Azrael is talking to Bartleby and Loki in the toy store, a Madman toy can be seen in the background. Madman is a character created by Mike Allred, who drew the comic sketches shown in "Chasing Amy".
- Albert Brooks was considered for the role of Cardinal Glick.
- 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.
- During filming, the project went by the title "Bearclaw".
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