Unholy Communion: Alice, Sweet Alice, from script to screen - Film

In this review of Unholy Communion: Alice, Sweet Alice, from script to screen, Troy Howarth offers a focused study for fans of cult horror and film historians alike. The book's chief virtue is its close attention to the film's troubled production and thematic through-lines, making it essential for readers who want context beyond the movie itself. The reviewer found it particularly valuable for anyone researching Catholic-themed American horror, or the ways low-budget films acquire cult status over time.

Key Features

• In-depth production history: The book traces the film's origins and release, helping readers understand why Communion was retitled and how its checkered theatrical run shaped audience reception.
• Script-to-screen focus: Detailed discussion of the script and how scenes translated to the final film gives readers insight into creative choices and deleted or altered moments.
• Analysis of themes: The author contextualizes the film's Catholic motifs and how religious imagery informs the movie's tension and moral ambiguity.
• Cult cinema perspective: The study explains how a largely ignored theatrical release grew into a devoted following, useful for collectors and scholars tracking cultification.
• Director and credit attention: Coverage of Alfred Sole's role and the film's alternate titles clarifies authorship and marketing choices that affected its legacy.

Who It's For

This book suits film students, horror enthusiasts, and collectors who want an annotated look at a single, influential title. Readers who appreciate close readings and production anecdotes will find the author's research and narrative voice rewarding, especially when exploring how family, community, and religious themes play out on screen.

Those seeking a broad history of American horror or a lavishly illustrated coffee-table volume may want a different purchase; this is a focused textual study rather than a pictorial compendium, and its strength is analysis over glossy visuals.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear reconstruction of the film's troubled release and multiple titles, which clarifies its cult trajectory.
• Thoughtful thematic readings that illuminate the film's use of Catholic imagery and family dynamics.
• Useful script-to-screen comparisons that benefit scholars and filmmakers studying adaptation choices.

Cons

• Not a heavily illustrated volume, so readers expecting many production photos may be disappointed.

Specifications

Title	Unholy Communion: Alice, Sweet Alice, from script to screen
Author	Troy Howarth
Subject	Film study of Communion / Alice, Sweet Alice
Focus	Script-to-screen analysis and production history
Film covered	Communion (also known as Alice, Sweet Alice; Holy Terror)
Director examined	Alfred Sole

Our Verdict

Unholy Communion is a compact, well-researched study that rewards readers who want to understand how a small, controversial film evolved into a cult favorite. Its emphasis on script, production choices, and religious themes makes it good value for students and devoted fans who prioritize analysis over pictorial extras.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book focus on the film's production history?
The book emphasizes production context and the film's troubled release, explaining title changes and reception.

Is it illustrated with production photos?
This study is primarily analytical and not designed as a heavily illustrated coffee-table book.

Who wrote the book and which film is covered?
Troy Howarth wrote the study, which examines Alfred Sole's Communion, also known as Alice, Sweet Alice.