Jacob's Ladder

I saw Jacob's Ladder in the theater when it came out. It was dark and twisted and ugly. The story stayed with me for many years. Having rewatched it, of course the river of time has flowed on and I am a different man, but I still find the way this story is told haunting and disturbing.

First: This is **NOT** a horror film, which is what it was marketed as. It isn’t even about existence, or identity. It’s about letting go. It is about an instant in time that can stretch out into an eternity. It’s a philosophical film, and the most pointed scene is with Danny Aiello’s character- the concept isn’t about a “journey through hell”, but rather, realizing that the hell you experience is entirely the hell you create. I recommend this film to anyone that has feared death, or come close to death, or is actually dying, because the message here is actually meaningful, and so totally and ineptly presented in its advertisement that the beauty of this film is completely lost. This film, if you’re in the right mindset, and perhaps have been ignorant to concepts of spirituality, will change your perception of what you were taught to believe. I’m an atheist, and consider this film one of the only things left that keep me in awe at the mystery of faith, and the concept of an afterlife. It’s magnificent.

The movie that inspired everything from the Silent Hill series of games to today's horror films, this movie is a great example of what can be done when creativity is used in place of special effects in a time where horror was meant to disturb and not disgust. A great film that should be seen by every fan of horror cinema.

It may drift a bit as far as the plot line, but only to please the viewer with the tapestry of chaos. This is THE psychological thriller. All others follow.