BELIEVE IN ANGELS.

In a dystopian Detroit, rock musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) rises from his grave to seek vengeance on the men who raped his girlfriend and then killed them both.

Famous as the film where its star was accidentally shot to death during production, this dark comic-book adaptation was well received and has become a cult item. Fueled by grief, fury and violence, the look of the film seems borrowed from Batman (1989).

Its morose tone is balanced by Lee’s charisma, silly dialogue and attempts to add warmth in the shape of a friendly cop and a cute girl who become Draven’s allies.

1994-U.S. 102 min. Color. Directed by Alex Proyas. Comic Book: James O’Barr. Cinematography: Dariusz Wolski. Cast: Brandon Lee (Eric Draven/The Crow), Rochelle Davis (Sarah), Ernie Hudson (Albrecht), Michael Wincott (Top Dollar), Bai Ling, Sofia Shinas, Tony Todd.

Trivia: The first idea for an adaptation was as a musical starring Michael Jackson. Christian Slater and River Phoenix were later considered for the lead role. After Lee’s death, his stunt double (later John Wick director) Chad Stahelski was used as a stand-in for remaining scenes. Followed by three sequels, starting with The Crow: City of Angels (1996), and a TV series, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (1998-1999); remade in India in 2004 and as The Crow (2024).