Product Description

The critically acclaimed story of a young man seduced by a religious cult chronicling his chilling transformation into a mindless shadow of his former self..And his ultimate salvation when friends & family launch a plan to kidnap & deprogram him. Studio: Platinum Disc Llc Release Date: 04/03/2007 Starring: Nick Mancuso Kim Cattrall

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60782 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-04-03
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 102 minutes

Review
"...An Absorbing, Frightening, Entirely Believable Movie..." --The New York Times

Review
"Nick Mancuso's four-barreled evocation of David shines..." --All Movie Guide

Review
"...the single best movie ever made about cults." --Film Fanatic

Customer Reviews

A gutsy expose on how religious cults work
You have to hand it to the Canadians for having the guts to make such a true-to-life movie about cults: how they recruit, how they brainwash, how they make money. A little more contrast between the blind euphoria of the lower-tier cultists and the opulent, materialistic ways of the upper echelon would have been nice. And the movie was obviously made on a shoestring budget, which no doubt is hard to accept for someone raised on Hollywood production values. But Hollywood would NEVER make a film like this -- not with all the cultists running around in Tinsel Town! They'd boycott the production. Solid performances are turned in by Nick Mancuso as the "lost soul," Saul Rubinek as the friend who won't give up on him, Kim Cattrall as a bundle-of-energy cultist (actually one of the scariest characters in the film), and R. H. Thomson as the deprogrammer. If you can get past the made-for-TV-movie feel, this film is an excellent way to teach your kids about how cults operate and what they're really all about: money. --MellowMonk.com

Deserving a remastered DVD release
TICKET TO HEAVEN is a most effective film, one that flew through theaters far too quickly on its initial run (thanks for the tip, Siskel & Ebert), shedding light on any number of obsessions. The focus is on a religious cult, but could as easily center around any pursuit where, with all the attractive chaff winnowed away, the end aim is making money for the top dogs or ideals. Where membership comes with a strident urging to include friends and relations.

As Linc Strunc (R.H. Thomson's extraordinary performance in a Genie-winning role) says, "It's the smart ones" who prove the most difficult to deprogram.

Nick Mancuso's David is intelligent, but he lacks what many are missing: Close human contact, permission to touch someone without fear or evoking sexual connotations. For many, that's like the difference between hugging your parents as a child, and the wall that goes up when you must "be a man" or "put away childish things".

The tools used to unhinge David's rationale are Legion: Beauty, peace, and belonging held up as within-reach (but cunningly and perpetually unattainable) goals. Simple messages that snowball. Inquisitiveness and discussion trampled as selfish distractions, with some subtle belittling. Repetition to instill new habits, relentlessly grinding in new beliefs. And then there's the food, and toying with body chemistry -- good science abused by clever minds.

A fine, memorable ensemble cast, from Guy Boyd's Eric, to Robert Joy's Patrick, to Timothy Webber's Greg, right down to Michael Wincott (THE CROW) in a minor role. Many of Canada's very best performers.

Saul Rubinek, who played nearly the same character in AGAINST ALL ODDS, goes to the other end of the scale here, however. A stalwart friend, Larry, never giving up however hard things get. A solid performance, one that embedded Rubinek's name in this reviewer's mind.

Paul Soles and Marcia Diamond are splendid as David's parents. Harvey Atkin adds some nice texture as Larry's boss. Who could say "no" to Kim Cattrall when she's this welcoming, and who wouldn't blanch before Meg Foster at her eeriest. Stephen Markle, as Karl, is a voice of reason who nonetheless does this to his friend, David.

And Nick Mancuso (HEARTBREAKERS, but who first impressed this reviewer in NIGHTWING) shines as David. Mancuso's a journeyman actor, always working, but rarely has a role so showcased his talents as TICKET TO HEAVEN. A performance you won't soon forget.

Most definitely deserving a new DVD release.

Bring in the Money, Stay Awake, Smash Out Satan!!
Best film on religious cults yet!. Actually, this was the first of 3 films I have viewed on mind controlling religious cults. All three of the films were made in the early 80's a time when religious cults were at a high rise. Seen selling flowers in large city streets and airports.

Ticket to Heaven not only explains how someone of high intelligence can become involved in a cult. It makes it believable, unlike " BLINDED BY THE LIGHT"starring Kristy McNichol and real life brother Jimmy McNichol and "SPLIT IMAGE" starring Michael O'Keefer and Peter Fonda. Which if you haven't seen "Ticket to Heaven " before viewing these other films, would leave you with the feeling that only the weak minded, or troubled souls could be brainwashed into this way of life.

The deprogramming method of the cult victim David played by Nick Mancuso is brilliantly and intensely done by R. H. Thomson ( role Link Strunk) . Also to be credited for adding some comedy to the film is Saul Rubinek who plays David's best friend Larry.

(Excuse the pun) A true Cult Classic!! You will not be disappointed !