Proposal

I chose to write about the movie Gabriel for numerous reasons. Not only is it one of my favorite movies, but it has a message that  everyone can benefit from. The film appeals to me because i consider myself to be a religious individual, and this movie gives me a  lot to think about and a lot i can take to heart to keep with me. I like to think that i have a lot of knowledge of the archangels, but i do not know anything of the history containing the fallen. This film is a history lesson in that part of our religious history.

Symbol Analysis

The director uses the archangel Amietiel as a symbol for change and hope. Amitiel's name gets changed to Jade when the Fallen defeat her and force her into prostitution. Gabriel manages to save her before the Fallen Balan rapes her. Through the whole movie Jade leads Gabriel around the city as his guide, explaining that heaven cannot hear them down in this city, and that the other angels have suffered as well and now are either all dead, or serve the Fallen as well. Gabriel is shocked that Jade could change so fast, but she explains that he has no room to judge. "Don't be so harsh to judge others Gabriel, you haven't been here long enough to earn that right..."  Jade, with the help of Gabriel, find her way back to the light. She becomes the one who will lead the city back to its former glory

Character Analysis

One of the most disputed characters in this movie is Sammael/Michael. Michael is the leader of the archangels, the warrior of heaven, yet how can one of the most pure characters in all of religious history be converted into leading the Fallen? Michael leaves a note to Gabriel in the beginning of the movie reading Gabriel, if you are reading this, then I have failed. We are far from grace, further than I could ever imagine. You will feel things that will cloud your judgement. This enemy within is strong and unpredictable. Control these emotions or the fight cannot be won. The others have failed, learn from them but do not follow. You are the last. Michael. At the end of the film, Sammael and Gabriel have the final stand off. Sammael asks Gabriel to jion him, but he refuses. Sammael tells Gabriel to say his name, for he knows who he is, this is when we find out that Sammael is actually the archangel Michael. the two fight, and Gabriel get impailed with a pole, after some heart felt comment by them both, Gabriel tells Michael to bleed with him as brothers and impales Michael with the same pole that has struck himself. We see that at the end of this all,  even Michael, the icon of the angels, can lose his way to the light. All that is needed is a brother to show him his way back

Setting Analysis

This film is set in a city that is set to be purgatory. The angels send down one of their own, while Hell sends up a demon as well to battle for the souls of the city. The darkness has taken over the city and the angels cannot see what is taking place. The angels keep sending down their strongest warriors, the archangels, but none return. The city is set up as your typical criminal infested metropolis, with the Fallen ruling over the inhabitants with drugs and prostitution. The people of the city are all poverty stricken and forced to eat at soup kitchens. The women are all forced to work as prostitutes for the city just to make a living. The city buildings are all run down and mostly used for hourly rent and shelter for the bums of the city. When people aren't fighting for the little money going around, they are at the rave clubs which is where all the drugs are distributed. The city looks war torn with trash lining the streets and women begging for a chance to make money at every inch of the walkway.

Plot Summary

The film starts with Gabriel falling to earth from what one can only assume is Heaven. Gabriel wanders around to find out what has happened to his fellow brothers only to find out that the nearby city that has been fought over has fallen under the control of the Fallen. Gabriel finds out that the most powerful angel, Michael, has died and left him with his final thoughts on how to save the city. The letter reads [reading letter from Michael]" Gabriel, if you are reading this, then I have failed. We are far from grace, further than I could ever imagine. You will feel things that will cloud your judgement. This enemy within is strong and unpredictable. Control these emotions or the fight cannot be won. The others have failed, learn from them but do not follow. You are the last. Michael." 

 Gabriel goes on to find that his brothers have lost their way, no longer listen to the source, and he must show them the way again. Gabriel finds that Amietiel has changed her name to Jade and now works for the Fallen as a Prostitute. He saves Jade and his fellow brothers from their assorted troubles. Gabriel's biggest challenge occurs when he is faced with the leader of the Fallen, Sammael. Sammael trys to get inside Gabriels head and attempts to convert him to joining the fallen, but Gabriel refuses. Gabriel finds out that Sammael is actually Michael who has lost his way. Michael kills Gabriel, but not before a heart to heart conversation, where Gabriel tells Michael to bleed with him as brothers and they both fall dead, shedding light upon the dark city.

Works Cited

• IMDB, Copyright © 1990-2011 IMDb.com, Inc.
• Lilith, http://www.horror-movies.ca/MorgueSpace/profile.php?id=17633 
• Shane Abbess and Matt Hylton Todd http://www.gabrielmovie.com/frequently-asked-questions