Fallen (miniseries)

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Fallen
Fallen ABC Series.jpg
Promotional poster
Based on The Fallen
by Tom Sniegoski
Screenplay bySara B. Cooper
Story byTim Huddleston
Directed by Mikael Salomon
Kevin Kerslake
Starring Paul Wesley
Chelah Horsdal
Fernanda Andrade
Rick Worthy
Hal Ozsan
Will Yun Lee
Tom Skerritt
Elizabeth Lackey
Bryan Cranston
Peter Williams
Music byJoel J. Richard
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersJay Sanders/Peter Donaldson Edward Bates
Rochelle Bates
Ron McLeod
Patti Allen
Cinematography Jon Joffin
EditorAlan Cody
Running timePart 1: 84 minutes
Part 2: 83 minutes
Part 3: 80 minutes
Total: 247 minutes
Budget$7,000,000
Original release
ReleaseJuly 23, 2006 (2006-07-23) 
August 5, 2007 (2007-08-05)

Fallen is a 2006 ABC Family miniseries based on The Fallen series of novels by Thomas Sniegoski, and broken into three parts. The first part was originally advertised as an "ABC Family Original Movie", but nearly a year later, it was followed up with two other parts of equal length over the course of a weekend. Fallen stars Paul Wesley as Aaron Corbett, a good-natured high school student who discovers he is a Nephilim, human-angel hybrid. An alternate reality game advertising the series won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Program.

Contents

Summary

On Aaron Corbett's 18th birthday, he begins exhibiting strange abilities, such as the ability to talk to animals. It is revealed that Aaron is the Redeemer of prophecy, a Nephil with the ability to redeem the fallen angels and return them to Heaven. Aaron leaves his adopted family and spends the next year traveling the world with the angel Camael in order to fulfill his destiny.

A fallen angel known as Azazel is released from his prison by a shadowy figure, who enlists his help in "aiding the Redeemer in fulfilling his destiny." Camael, having been wounded in a battle with the Powers, is put into a trance in order for him to heal, giving Aaron the freedom to do what he wishes. Aaron visits a nearby college, where he discovers an obsessive professor who has captured a Nephil, who turns out to be Aaron's old high school crush Vilma Rodriguez. Aaron rescues Vilma, but inadvertently alerts the Powers to his whereabouts. Camael arrives to defend Aaron and Vilma from Mazarin, the leader of the Powers, and his forces, but is captured. Aaron and Vilma are saved by Azazel. Azazel leads them underground and falsely tells them that Camael is dead.

Camael tries desperately to reveal the truth that Aaron is a part of the Creator's divine plan, but Mazarin refuses to listen and cuts Camael's wings off as punishment. Aaron begins doubting himself, and Azazel tells him of a man known as "the Light Bringer", who made the initial prophecy of the Redeemer and who could help quell his suspicions that his abilities are somehow wrong. When Aaron discovers the fallen doesn't have long to live, he gives in and redeems Anane, once again alerting the Powers. Refusing to run, Aaron decides to face them, even if it means his death.

Aaron and Azazel defeat the Powers, and force Mazarin and his second-in-command to leave. Camael returns to Ariel for help. Aaron, Vilma, Gabriel, and Azazel travel up a mountain where the Light Bringer's temple is. Aaron alone ventures inside and it is revealed that the Light Bringer is not only Aaron's true father but Lucifer, the first fallen and leader of the Great Rebellion against God in Heaven. Vilma enters the temple to save Aaron, only to be taken to Hell.

Lucifer tells Aaron that if he redeems him, allowing him to return to Heaven to conquer the Creator, he will release Vilma. Vilma, however, escapes on her own, leading Aaron to the conclusion the only one trapped in Hell is Lucifer. Aaron defeats Lucifer, then escapes in time to redeem Camael. Mazarin finally accepts Aaron as a part of God's plan and refuses to hunt the Nephilim or the Fallen anymore. Mazarin returns Azazel to his prison, while Aaron, Vilma, and Gabriel decide to return home.

Cast

Reception

Common Sense Media rated the miniseries 4 out of 5 stars. [1]

It has also been reviewed in Variety, [2] The Orange Country Register, [3] and Deseret News. [4] [ need quotation to verify ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azazel</span> Biblical figure identified with fallen angel

In the Hebrew Bible, the name Azazel represents a desolate place where a scapegoat bearing the sins of the Jews was sent during Yom Kippur. During the late Second Temple period, Azazel came to be viewed as a fallen angel responsible for introducing humans to forbidden knowledge, as described in the Book of Enoch. His role as a fallen angel partly remains in Christian and Islamic traditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samael</span> Jewish archangel

Samael is an archangel in Talmudic and post-Talmudic lore; a figure who is the accuser or adversary, seducer, and destroying angel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fallen angel</span> Angel expelled from heaven in Abrahamic religions

Fallen angels are angels who were expelled from Heaven. The literal term "fallen angel" does not appear in any Abrahamic religious texts, but is used to describe angels cast out of heaven or angels who sinned. Such angels often tempt humans to sin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Book of Enoch</span> Hebrew religious text ascribed to Enoch

The Book of Enoch is an ancient Hebrew apocalyptic religious text, ascribed by tradition to the patriarch Enoch who was the father of Methuselah and the great-grandfather of Noah. The Book of Enoch contains unique material on the origins of demons and Nephilim, why some angels fell from heaven, an explanation of why the Genesis flood was morally necessary, and a prophetic exposition of the thousand-year reign of the Messiah. Three books are traditionally attributed to Enoch, including the distinct works 2 Enoch and 3 Enoch. None of the three are considered to be canonical scripture by most Jewish or Christian church bodies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samyaza</span> Fallen angel in various traditions

Samyaza, also Shamhazai, Aza or Ouza, is a fallen angel of apocryphal Abrahamic traditions and Manichaeism as the leader of the Watchers.

<i>The Prophecy</i> 1995 American film

The Prophecy is a 1995 American fantasy thriller horror film starring Christopher Walken, Elias Koteas, Virginia Madsen, Eric Stoltz, and Viggo Mortensen. It was written and directed by Gregory Widen in his feature directorial debut, and is the first film of The Prophecy series. The film tells the story of the Archangel Gabriel (Walken) and his search for an evil soul on Earth, and a police detective (Koteas) who unknowingly becomes caught in the middle of an angelic civil war. It was followed by four sequels.

<i>The Prophecy 3: The Ascent</i> 2000 American film

The Prophecy 3: The Ascent is a 2000 American horror film and the third installment in The Prophecy series. Christopher Walken and Steve Hytner reprise their roles as the Archangel Gabriel and the coroner Joseph, respectively. As the war in Heaven and on Earth rages on, Pyriel, the Angel of Genocide, arises with the intention of destroying all humankind; the only one who can stop him is Danyael, a Nephilim born of an angel and a human woman. However, Danyael is unaware of his purpose until he learns it from Gabriel. Gabriel acts as Danyael's guardian while Zophael seeks out Danyael. The fate of humankind hangs in the balance as Danyael sets out to confront Pyriel and fulfill his destiny.

<i>The Prophecy II</i> 1998 American film

The Prophecy II is a 1998 American fantasy-action-horror film and the second installment in The Prophecy series. Christopher Walken reprises his role as the Archangel Gabriel. It was directed by Greg Spence and written by Spence and Matthew Greenberg.

Ramiel is a fallen Watcher (angel). He is mentioned in Chapter 7 of the apocryphal Book of Enoch as one of the 20 Watchers that sinned and rebelled against God by mating with human women, and creating offspring called Nephilim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Winchester</span> Fictional character

Dean Winchester is one of the two protagonists from the American drama television series Supernatural, along with his younger brother Sam. He is portrayed primarily by Jensen Ackles. Other versions of the character having been portrayed by Hunter Brochu (toddler), Ridge Canipe (child), Nicolai Lawton-Giustra (pre-teen), Brock Kelly and Dylan Everett (teen), and Chad Everett (elderly).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Winchester</span> Fictional character

Samuel "Sam" Winchester is a fictional character and one of the two protagonists of the American drama television series Supernatural along with his older brother, Dean. He is portrayed primarily by Jared Padalecki. Other versions of the character have been portrayed by Alex Ferris and Dylan Kingwell (child), Colin Ford (teenager), and Colton James.

Castiel (<i>Supernatural</i>) Character from American TV series Supernatural

Castiel is a fictional character portrayed by Misha Collins on The CW's American fantasy television series Supernatural. An Angel of the Lord, he first appears in the fourth season and is used to introduce the theme of Christian theology to the series. In the series, Castiel brings Dean Winchester back from Hell and frequently helps him and his brother, Sam, in their battles with various demons and angels along the way. During his travels with the Winchesters, Castiel develops friendships with both men. As an angel, he possesses a number of supernatural abilities, including the ability to kill demons. Initially, the character demonstrates complete devotion to God and little emotion. However, his interactions and experiences with Dean and Sam, as well as certain revelations about God and his fellow angels, have a humanizing effect on him. This, despite the stress and harm it causes his character, allows him to develop an independent will as the series progresses and helps the show address topics related to free will.

<i>Nephilim</i> (manhwa)

Nephilim is a Korean manhwa written and illustrated by Ryu Kum-chel, author of Ares. The story focuses on a boy, John, who is possessed by an angel, Michael.

The Prophecy is an American fantasy horror-thriller film franchise, which focuses on angels fighting each other to protect the survival of the human race on Earth. Produced by Dimension Films, the series was established in 1995 with the eponymous first installment, The Prophecy, which has since been followed by four direct-to-video sequels. In 2005, its latest sequel The Prophecy: Forsaken was released on DVD instead of VHS.

Azazel, a demon from Jewish mythology, has been developed into characters in popular culture.

Nephilim in popular culture are depicted as descendants or offspring of Demons and human women. The Nephilim of Genesis 6 have become a notable motif; this interlinks with other similar motifs regarding Christian demons in popular culture.

<i>Rapture</i> (Kate novel)

Rapture is the fourth novel in the Fallen series written by Lauren Kate. It is a young adult, fantasy, paranormal romance published in 2012 under Delacorte Press. It continues the story of Luce, Daniel and their angel companions who have nine days to search the world for a way to stop Lucifer from recreating the Fall and rewriting history. Therefore, they must determine the exact location where the angels fell to earth so many millennia ago. The group breaks up to find three relics that will give them the key to do so, but it is not as easy as it sounds. The angels and Luce have no idea what or where the relics are only rough sketches that Daniel drew centuries ago. However, the relics are not the only things that Luce needs to find.

References

  1. Maher, Lucy. "Fallen Movie Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  2. Fries, Laura (July 20, 2006). "Fallen".
  3. "'Fallen' angels return to ABC Family". July 11, 2007.
  4. "'Bad' angels on 'Fallen'". Deseret News. July 17, 2006.