Rituals
John Lynden, a religious scholar, in his book Film as Religion: Myth, Morals, and Rituals speaks of finding the "religious voice" in film. It may be argued that the religious voice of The Boondock Saints is more connected to Catholic ritual than Catholic ideology. Director Troy Duffy employs multiple references to Catholic rituals in his film (the mass, sacraments, statues). Lynden might argue that this movie is an example of "popular religion", his term for the mixture of popular culture and traditional religion. McDonnell in her book Catholics in the Movies makes an argument that may explain the apparent fit between ritual and violence. She describes Catholicism as a "intensely visual religion with a well defined ritual and authority system."
Above video, the brothers assassinate the main Russian crime boss after reciting their family prayer, and then perform the ritual of placing coins on the eyes of the dead mobsters so they may pay the boatman to bring them to the Gates of Judgement.
The McManus brothers incorporate various types of rituals into their vigilante actions. Their family prayer, that precedes many execution style killings, ends with the Latin version of "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." A clear statement that God sanctions their actions, that they are acting on behalf of him. The brothers also place coins on the eyes of those they kill. Historically this practice goes back to the Romans and Greeks. The money would be needed by the soul to "pay a ferryman charged to take them across the River Sty into the afterlife." The use of rituals serves several purposes for director Troy Duffy. It separates the movie, stylistically, from other movies about vigilante justice. It also fits the theme of the need for "good" men to fight evil. These rituals attached to violence support their actions as retribution justice.
The McManus brothers incorporate various types of rituals into their vigilante actions. Their family prayer, that precedes many execution style killings, ends with the Latin version of "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." A clear statement that God sanctions their actions, that they are acting on behalf of him. The brothers also place coins on the eyes of those they kill. Historically this practice goes back to the Romans and Greeks. The money would be needed by the soul to "pay a ferryman charged to take them across the River Sty into the afterlife." The use of rituals serves several purposes for director Troy Duffy. It separates the movie, stylistically, from other movies about vigilante justice. It also fits the theme of the need for "good" men to fight evil. These rituals attached to violence support their actions as retribution justice.