Is Deliver Us From Evil based on a true story
Is Deliver Us From Evil based on a true story – “Deliver Us From Evil” is a movie that claims to be based on a true story, but like many such films, it took some liberties with the actual events. The film is directed by Scott Derrickson and is based on a 2001 non-fiction book titled “Beware the Night” written by Ralph Sarchie and Lisa Collier Cool. It follows the story of NYPD Special Operations Sergeant Ralph Sarchie, played by Eric Bana, who teams up with an unorthodox priest, Father Mendoza, portrayed by Édgar RamÃrez, to battle a case of possession that terrorizes them and their city.
The film was marketed as being inspired by actual accounts and a non-fiction book, but it received mixed reviews from critics. While the accuracy of the story was questioned, Ralph Sarchie is indeed a real person who has been involved in some supernatural cases. However, the movie made significant changes to his story for entertainment purposes.
Ralph Sarchie: The Real NYPD Cop and Demonologist
In “Deliver Us From Evil,” Ralph Sarchie is depicted as an NYPD cop who becomes involved in battling demonic forces. This portrayal isn’t far from the truth, as the real Ralph Sarchie was an NYPD cop and a demonologist. He was born in 1962 in New York City and served nearly two decades as an NYPD sergeant in the South Bronx precinct, where he worked undercover to stop in-progress crimes.
In addition to his work as a cop, Sarchie was also a demonologist. He described himself as a “committed Christian” and reportedly carried wooden Christian crosses and holy water when dealing with demonic infestations in the city and assisting in Christian exorcisms. Sarchie worked at the NYPD from the early 1980s until his retirement in 2004. After retiring, he dedicated himself full-time to demonology.
He emphasized that he and his partner, Joe Forrester, did not charge for their services, seeing their work as a calling rather than a job. Sarchie’s dedication to helping people with spiritual problems was evident in his approach.
In an interview during the promotion of “Deliver Us From Evil,” Sarchie revealed that he had taken a break from demonology after his divorce and returned to work with a fresh perspective. He noted a shift in the nature of evil and its effects on people.
The Number of Exorcisms Ralph Sarchie Was Involved In
In a teaser for the documentary “Sarchie,” the demonologist claimed to have assisted in over 20 exorcisms. In a later interview with USA Today, he mentioned having assisted in 25 exorcisms and conducting “hundreds” of house exorcisms. He kept tapes of these exorcisms, with some featured in the documentary, but most were kept confidential to protect the privacy of his clients. It’s important to note that these numbers are from 2014, and it’s unknown if they increased in the years that followed.
Father Mendoza: Fictional Character Inspired by Real Mentors
In the movie “Deliver Us From Evil,” Ralph Sarchie collaborates with Father Mendoza, a Jesuit priest who assists in exorcisms. However, Father Mendoza is not based on a real priest. He is inspired by two real-life individuals who served as mentors to Ralph Sarchie.
One of these mentors is Bishop Robert McKenna, who was a sedeprivationist bishop that also performed exorcisms. Some of his cases were investigated by psychic researchers, including Ed and Lorraine Warren. McKenna’s work was closely tied to demonologist Dave Considine and Ramam Coomaraswamy.
The other mentor, Father Malachi Martin, was a priest, biblical archaeologist, exorcist, and writer. He claimed to have assisted in various exorcisms and wrote extensively on the subject. Notably, his book “Hostage to the Devil: The Possession and Exorcism of Five Living Americans” explored the topic of exorcism. However, it’s worth mentioning that some, including “The Exorcist” author William Peter Blatty, regarded his work as more fantasy than fact.
How the Movie Changes Ralph Sarchie’s Real Cases
“Deliver Us From Evil” is a fictionalized account of Ralph Sarchie’s experiences. In an interview, director Scott Derrickson explained that he took elements from Sarchie’s book that he found most interesting and weaved them into a fictional narrative. Sarchie’s real-life cases were often unrelated, while the movie creates a cohesive storyline to make it work as a film. Derrickson stressed that the character of Sarchie in the movie reflects the real person’s thinking, talking, and actions but is placed in a fictional narrative.
Ralph Sarchie’s Connection to Ed & Lorraine Warren
Given their shared interest in the supernatural, it’s not surprising that Ralph Sarchie had a connection to famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens are well-known for their work in founding the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) and investigating numerous paranormal cases, including the infamous Amityville haunting.
Sarchie expressed his admiration for Lorraine Warren and discovered that one of her investigators, Joe Forrester, lived nearby. Sarchie reached out to Joe, and they became friends and work partners, attending different cases together. Sarchie also attended seminars by the Warrens, visited their home in Connecticut, and assisted them in various cases. With the Warrens’ approval, Sarchie and Forrester founded the NYC chapter of the NESPR.
However, the movie “Deliver Us From Evil” omitted this part of Ralph Sarchie’s story for the sake of creating a more streamlined narrative.
In conclusion, “Deliver Us From Evil” is a movie that claims to be based on a true story, but it takes creative liberties with the real-life experiences of Ralph Sarchie, a former NYPD cop turned demonologist. While Sarchie did indeed work in law enforcement and as a demonologist, the film weaves a fictional narrative around his experiences. The character of Father Mendoza is not based on a real priest but is inspired by two individuals who served as mentors to Sarchie. Sarchie’s connection to the famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren is also an interesting aspect of his life. This movie serves as a reminder that while it may be inspired by real events, cinematic adaptations often prioritize storytelling and entertainment over strict accuracy.
Is the movie “Deliver Us From Evil” based on real events?
No, the movie “Deliver Us From Evil” is not a documentary. It’s a fictional story inspired by some of the things that the real person, Ralph Sarchie, experienced.
Does the movie show real supernatural cases that Ralph Sarchie investigated?
Not exactly. The movie doesn’t show the exact cases that Ralph Sarchie worked on. It’s a made-up story, even though it’s inspired by some of the things he went through.
Is the 2014 movie “Deliver Us From Evil” based on a true story?
The film claims to be inspired by a book called “Beware the Night” written by Ralph Sarchie and Lisa Collier Cool. But the plot of the movie is mostly made up by the director, Scott Derrickson.
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