Difference between films

Dominion is the first film, directed by Paul Schrader. Morgan Creek axed it for not being scary enough, then hired Renny Harlin to direct The Beginning. Thus, The Beginning, the second film to be shot, came out in theaters before the earlier-shot Dominion. Later, Dominion was permitted a brief theatrical showing, then went to DVD.

 

SPOILERS

 

In Dominion, Merrin is excavating a church in North Africa and discovers a crypt devoted to Satanism and human sacrifice. In ancient times, when Christians found out about this blasphemous temple, they built a church over it to consecrate it and guard the site. Meantime, a deformed native boy, Che Che, comes under Merrin's care and with surgery begins to transform into a more than perfect human being. This is due to the fact, gradually discovered, that Che Che has been possessed by a demon. The better his health, ironically, the stronger the possession.

 

In The Beginning, same deal with the Satanic crypt and the church, but this time the possession begins with a little black boy, Joseph, but then transfers into a female nurse working in the area. Thus The Beginning features, like The Exorcist, a possessed female, while Dominion features a possessed male. The premise in The Beginning is that the crypt marks the place where Satan fell to earth after being cast out of Heaven.

 

Both flms feature a scene where Merrin is forced to make a brutal choice in Nazi-occupied Holland, a choice that destroys his faith. Both films feature a young priestly assistant and watchdog to Merrin. They both come to a bad end. Both films feature a female nurse, who in Dominion remains unpossessed (except for one sequence of mass posssession); and who in The Beginning, as mentioned, herself becomes possessed.

 

Both films end with Merrin having rediscovered his faith.

You're welcome – hope you enjoy your purchases 🙂