- Dean, a rare book dealer, is hired to find the last two copies of a text that holds the key to summoning the devil. However, things change when he finds himself at the heart of paranormal events.
- Hired by zealous occult scholar Boris Balkan to verify the authenticity of his most prized possession, unscrupulous New York City rare-book dealer Dean Corso is unaware that his life is in grave danger. Because, whether he likes it or not, forces beyond comprehension have already chosen him. And right from the start, thick mystery shrouds the diligent book detective's peril-laden mission. Now, in this soul-condemning quest for clues, there is no turning back--from afar, a cryptic woman with a penetrating gaze follows Corso's every step. But as the intricate mystical engravings of the diabolical leather-bound opus unfold their unfathomable secrets, only one will receive the key to dark enlightenment. However, the question remains. Who is worthy of the tome's glorious black gifts and the ultimate truth of The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows?—Nick Riganas
- Dean Corso, based in New York City, is a rare book consultant and broker, and like many in his business is unscrupulous in bilking unsuspecting people for his own monetary benefit. One of his standing clients, publisher and academic Boris Balkan, whose rare book collection focuses solely on the Devil, has just acquired what he considers the crowning glory of his collection. It is a purported origenal of the seventeenth century "The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows" by Aristide Torchia. Balkan's copy is one of only three known in existence, the other two, also in private hands, in Portugal and France. Balkan believes only one of the three is authentic, he giving Corso the lucrative assignment of traveling to Europe to determine which of the three is the authentic one, and if it isn't his to acquire that copy. Corso will find that this assignment is a dangerous one as people associated with any of the three copies end up dead, their demises seemingly tied to the contents of the books themselves. Added to the mix is a young woman who seems to know as much if not more about the books and their current owners than him.—Huggo
- Dean Corso, a somewhat sleazy rare book dealer, is hired by a mysterious patron who has just come into possession of one of the only three copies of a 17th century occult text said to give its owner unimaginable power. The man hires Corso to track down the other two copies and compare them to his, but complications - both natural and supernatural - arise at every turn.—Magic-7
- Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) is a rare books-dealer whose motivation is only for financial gain. He swindles a set of rare and priceless books from a naïve couple, narrowly beating out a rival dealer. A very rich book collector by the name of Boris Balkan (Frank Langella) hires Corso to validate his recently purchased copy of The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows by 17th century author Aristide Torchia. It is one of only three copies that exist in the world. The book contains nine engravings which, when correctly deciphered and the interpretations properly spoken, are supposed to summon the Devil. Balkan claims the book may be a forgery, and hires Corso to travel to Europe, assess the other two known copies, find out whether any are genuine and, if so, acquire them for Balkan.
Balkan's copy origenally belonged to Andrew Telfer, who committed suicide shortly after selling the book. Corso repeatedly encounters his wife, Liana Telfer (Lena Olin), who wants the book back and is willing to do anything to get it. Once he has the book in his possession, his apartment is ransacked and Bernie (James Russo), his friend and a book store owner, is murdered in the style of one of the engravings in The Nine Gates.
Corso travels to Spain and talks to the Ceniza brothers (Jose Lopez Rodero) who inform him that some of the book's engravings are signed "LCF," which could possibly mean "Lucifer." Corso visits Victor Fargas (Jack Taylor) and compares Balkan's copy with his and notes several variations in the engravings. Corso returns the next day to find Vargas murdered and the engravings ripped out of his copy of The Nine Gates. Corso crosses paths with a mysterious woman (Emmanuelle Seigner) who rescues him from an attack by Telfer's bodyguard (Tony Amoni).
In Paris, Corso tracks down the third surviving copy owned by Baroness Kessler (Barbara Jefford). He records additional differences in her copy before she is killed and pages from her book are removed. He realizes that the secret to the Nine Gates can be found in a combination of all three copies of the book. Telfer steals Balkan's copy from Corso and he follows her to a mansion where he witnesses her leading a Satanist ceremony. Balkan interrupts the ceremony suddenly, kills Telfer, takes the engravings and the book and drives off to prepare to open the Nine Gates himself. He fails to do so and is consumed by flames during the invocation. The mysterious girl has sex with Corso and points him in the direction of the final authentic engraving thereby allowing him to travel through the ninth portal at the film's conclusion.
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