The Order (2001 film)
Encyclopedia
The Order is a 2001 20M action thriller film about a religious order, written by Jean-Claude Van Damme
and Les Weldon and directed by Sheldon Lettich
and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme
. The cast also includes Sofia Milos
, Brian Thompson
, Ben Cross
, Vernon Dobtcheff
and Charlton Heston
. It is available from Columbia Tristar.
Christian knight Charles Le Vaillant (Jean-Claude Van Damme
) becomes demoralized by the horrors of war, and he decides to create a new religious order. This new order brings together, in a peaceful manner, members from the three main religions of the region: Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
As a self-imposed leader and messiah, Charles writes the sacred texts of the Order. The Christian Crusaders accuse Charles of heresy, and attack him and his disciples. During the attack, the last chapter from their religious text becomes lost in the desert.
In modern-day Israel
, a devout contingent of Le Vaillant's followers continues to practice his peaceful teachings. But a disciple named Cyrus (Brian Thompson
) has a distorted view of the Order's ecumenical intention.
In present time, Rudy Cafmeyer (Jean-Claude Van Damme
) is a thief and smuggler of valuable historical artifacts. Rudy manages to break into a high security building where he steals a precious Fabergé egg
. Needless to say, the alarm goes off and Rudy has to fight his way out of the building.
Despite his thievery, Rudy is not really a bad guy. He stole such a precious object from the personal collection of a powerful Russian mafia boss. As a matter of fact, Rudy is a good and loving son, who would do anything for his father Oscar "Ozzie" Cafmeyer (Vernon Dobtcheff
).
Ozzie, an archaeologist and museum curator, discovers the manuscripts that were lost during the crusades. The manuscripts clearly extol interfaith harmony.
In those manuscripts, there is also an ancient map of Jerusalem, which shows the location of a mythical Jewish treasure. Ozzie travels to Israel, where Cyrus has him kidnapped.
Rudy, who heard the abduction take place while talking to Ozzie on the phone, travels to Jerusalem to rescue Oscar. Oscar's associate, Professor Walt Finley (Charlton Heston
), hands Rudy the key to a safe-deposit box in East Jerusalem
before being gunned down by unknown assailants.
Israeli Police Chief Ben Ner (Ben Cross
) views Rudy's arrival with hostility and takes steps to have Rudy deported, but police lieutenant Dalia Barr (Sofia Milos
) risks her career to help Rudy—she was once a disciple of the Order, but she left when she was 18.
Meanwhile, Cyrus assassinates the Order's leader, Pierre Gaudet, and steps up his inflammatory rhetoric, hoping to inflame his followers.
Rudy opens the safe-deposit box and finds a map that shows a series of tunnels and a treasure room beneath Jerusalem. Ben Ner, who has partnered with Cyrus, just covets the gold that the underground tunnels lead to, but Cyrus hopes to plant a bomb during Ramadan that will turn the Israelis against the Palestinians.
Dalia and Rudy must infiltrate the Order's monastery, free Ozzie, and prevent an explosion that could push tensions in the Holy Land
past the point of no return.
the movie was seen by well over 100,000 people with total gross at almost 600,000 euros. In Mexico
the movie did just as well grossing over $560,000. Though not issued in cinemas in the United States
the movie did well on rentals, netting over $18 million http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0193364/business. The Order was also issued on Video and DVD in the United Kingdom
.
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...
and Les Weldon and directed by Sheldon Lettich
Sheldon Lettich
Sheldon Lettich is a screenwriter, film director and producer.-Early life:He was born in New York City, but moved to California at a young age and grew up in the Los Angeles area. After graduation from high school he spent nearly four years in the U.S...
and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...
. The cast also includes Sofia Milos
Sofia Milos
Sofia Milos is an Italian/Greek actress. She is best known for her role as Yelina Salas on CSI: Miami.Milos was born in Zurich, Switzerland, to an Italian father and a Greek mother. In her teens she entered a local beauty pageant, and after winning first prize went on to win the provincial,...
, Brian Thompson
Brian Thompson (actor)
Brian Thompson is an American actor. His distinctive square-jaw profile, powerful voice, and imposing stature has led him to be typecast as a villain in many action films and TV series, and a some comedies: Joe Dirt, The Three Amigos, Weird Science, Key West, and Life Stinks.-Career:Thompson has...
, Ben Cross
Ben Cross
Ben Cross is a British actor of the stage and screen, best known for his portrayal of the British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire.-Early life:...
, Vernon Dobtcheff
Vernon Dobtcheff
Vernon Dobtcheff is a French and British actor.Dobtcheff was born in Nîmes, France, to a family of Russian descent. He attended Ascham Preparatory School in Eastbourne, Sussex, England, in the 1940s, where he won the Acting Cup...
and Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston was an American actor of film, theatre and television. Heston is known for heroic roles in films such as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, El Cid, and Planet of the Apes...
. It is available from Columbia Tristar.
Plot
In the year 1099, during the Crusades in the 11th Century, Christian soldiers arrive in Jerusalem and slaughter the local population.Christian knight Charles Le Vaillant (Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...
) becomes demoralized by the horrors of war, and he decides to create a new religious order. This new order brings together, in a peaceful manner, members from the three main religions of the region: Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
As a self-imposed leader and messiah, Charles writes the sacred texts of the Order. The Christian Crusaders accuse Charles of heresy, and attack him and his disciples. During the attack, the last chapter from their religious text becomes lost in the desert.
In modern-day Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, a devout contingent of Le Vaillant's followers continues to practice his peaceful teachings. But a disciple named Cyrus (Brian Thompson
Brian Thompson (actor)
Brian Thompson is an American actor. His distinctive square-jaw profile, powerful voice, and imposing stature has led him to be typecast as a villain in many action films and TV series, and a some comedies: Joe Dirt, The Three Amigos, Weird Science, Key West, and Life Stinks.-Career:Thompson has...
) has a distorted view of the Order's ecumenical intention.
In present time, Rudy Cafmeyer (Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...
) is a thief and smuggler of valuable historical artifacts. Rudy manages to break into a high security building where he steals a precious Fabergé egg
Fabergé egg
A Fabergé egg is any one of the thousands of jeweled eggs made by the House of Fabergé from 1885 to 1917. Most were miniature eggs that were popular gifts at Eastertide...
. Needless to say, the alarm goes off and Rudy has to fight his way out of the building.
Despite his thievery, Rudy is not really a bad guy. He stole such a precious object from the personal collection of a powerful Russian mafia boss. As a matter of fact, Rudy is a good and loving son, who would do anything for his father Oscar "Ozzie" Cafmeyer (Vernon Dobtcheff
Vernon Dobtcheff
Vernon Dobtcheff is a French and British actor.Dobtcheff was born in Nîmes, France, to a family of Russian descent. He attended Ascham Preparatory School in Eastbourne, Sussex, England, in the 1940s, where he won the Acting Cup...
).
Ozzie, an archaeologist and museum curator, discovers the manuscripts that were lost during the crusades. The manuscripts clearly extol interfaith harmony.
In those manuscripts, there is also an ancient map of Jerusalem, which shows the location of a mythical Jewish treasure. Ozzie travels to Israel, where Cyrus has him kidnapped.
Rudy, who heard the abduction take place while talking to Ozzie on the phone, travels to Jerusalem to rescue Oscar. Oscar's associate, Professor Walt Finley (Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston was an American actor of film, theatre and television. Heston is known for heroic roles in films such as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, El Cid, and Planet of the Apes...
), hands Rudy the key to a safe-deposit box in East Jerusalem
East Jerusalem
East Jerusalem or Eastern Jerusalem refer to the parts of Jerusalem captured and annexed by Jordan in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and then captured and annexed by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War...
before being gunned down by unknown assailants.
Israeli Police Chief Ben Ner (Ben Cross
Ben Cross
Ben Cross is a British actor of the stage and screen, best known for his portrayal of the British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire.-Early life:...
) views Rudy's arrival with hostility and takes steps to have Rudy deported, but police lieutenant Dalia Barr (Sofia Milos
Sofia Milos
Sofia Milos is an Italian/Greek actress. She is best known for her role as Yelina Salas on CSI: Miami.Milos was born in Zurich, Switzerland, to an Italian father and a Greek mother. In her teens she entered a local beauty pageant, and after winning first prize went on to win the provincial,...
) risks her career to help Rudy—she was once a disciple of the Order, but she left when she was 18.
Meanwhile, Cyrus assassinates the Order's leader, Pierre Gaudet, and steps up his inflammatory rhetoric, hoping to inflame his followers.
Rudy opens the safe-deposit box and finds a map that shows a series of tunnels and a treasure room beneath Jerusalem. Ben Ner, who has partnered with Cyrus, just covets the gold that the underground tunnels lead to, but Cyrus hopes to plant a bomb during Ramadan that will turn the Israelis against the Palestinians.
Dalia and Rudy must infiltrate the Order's monastery, free Ozzie, and prevent an explosion that could push tensions in the Holy Land
Holy Land
The Holy Land is a term which in Judaism refers to the Kingdom of Israel as defined in the Tanakh. For Jews, the Land's identifiction of being Holy is defined in Judaism by its differentiation from other lands by virtue of the practice of Judaism often possible only in the Land of Israel...
past the point of no return.
Cast
- Jean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...
, as Rudy Cafmeyer / Charles Le Vaillant - Charlton HestonCharlton HestonCharlton Heston was an American actor of film, theatre and television. Heston is known for heroic roles in films such as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, El Cid, and Planet of the Apes...
, as Prof. Walter Finley - Sofia MilosSofia MilosSofia Milos is an Italian/Greek actress. She is best known for her role as Yelina Salas on CSI: Miami.Milos was born in Zurich, Switzerland, to an Italian father and a Greek mother. In her teens she entered a local beauty pageant, and after winning first prize went on to win the provincial,...
, as Lt. Dalia Barr - Brian ThompsonBrian Thompson (actor)Brian Thompson is an American actor. His distinctive square-jaw profile, powerful voice, and imposing stature has led him to be typecast as a villain in many action films and TV series, and a some comedies: Joe Dirt, The Three Amigos, Weird Science, Key West, and Life Stinks.-Career:Thompson has...
, as Second/then First Disciple Cyrus Jacob - Ben CrossBen CrossBen Cross is a British actor of the stage and screen, best known for his portrayal of the British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire.-Early life:...
, as Ben Ner - Vernon DobtcheffVernon DobtcheffVernon Dobtcheff is a French and British actor.Dobtcheff was born in Nîmes, France, to a family of Russian descent. He attended Ascham Preparatory School in Eastbourne, Sussex, England, in the 1940s, where he won the Acting Cup...
, as Oscar Cafmeyer - Sasson GabaiSasson GabaiSasson Gabai is an Israeli actor, Jewish and originally from Iraq. He works in Israeli cinema. He has won Award of the Israeli Film Academy, Asia Pacific Screen Award, European Film Awards and Jerusalem Film Festival in 2007 as Best Actor in a highly acclaimed Israeli film "The Band's Visit".He is...
, as Yuri (as Sasson Gabay) - Alon Aboutboul, as Avram
- Joey Tomaska, as Joey
- Peter MalotaPeter MalotaPjetër Malota is best known for his appearances in 3 films starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. In 1985, Pjetër made his film debut as a member of a syndicate gang in the action movie Los Angeles Streetfighter. In 1991, Pjetër began to work with Van Damme...
, as Amnon - Sharon Reginiano, as Bassam
- Sami Huri, as Lieutenant Itsik
Box office
In SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
the movie was seen by well over 100,000 people with total gross at almost 600,000 euros. In Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
the movie did just as well grossing over $560,000. Though not issued in cinemas in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
the movie did well on rentals, netting over $18 million http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0193364/business. The Order was also issued on Video and DVD in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.