A female decendant of Christ and two unlikely prophets are called upon by Rufus, an unknown 13th apostle, to stop two angels, that were cast out of heaven, from unknowingly erasing all of God's work by restoring their souls by entering a new church. Restoring ones soul by entering a new church is a part of the Catholic Dogma, and by restoring their souls the angels could reenter heaven thus revealing there is a loophole to return to heaven. This would prove God was not perfect and upon proving this all of God's work would immediately be erased.

The role of God was originally written for Holly Hunter, who passed. Even so, they kept the reference to The Piano in the script.

Albert Brooks was offered the role of Cardinal Glick.

Joey Lauren Adams was considered for the role of Bethany.

Emma Thompson was going to appear in the film as God, but she backed out before filming began in order to have a baby.

The role of Loki was written for Jason Lee, but scheduling conflicts forced him to take on the smaller role of Azrael and Matt Damon took over as Loki.

Alanis Morissette was originally meant to play the leading role of Bethany Sloan, but was unable to because of her 1998-99 world tour. By the time she was able to work on the film, the role had been cast so she was offered the chance to play God as compensation.

Kevin Smith wrote this screenplay before he wrote Clerks, but shelved it because he wanted to do it with proper special effects.

Director Trademark: the Stygian triplets all carry hockey sticks.

While in production the project's name was Bearclaw.

The exterior of The Bootlegger bar was shot in Highlands, NJ, Kevin Smith's home town.

There were eight different versions of the script and not one of them, including the shooting script, ever had anything about God cleaning up at the end. Kevin Smith had what he called an epiphany at the last minute. There had been a number of delays in shooting the scene, and the church eventually asked Smith to clean up the street. He chose to immediately clean up the street and add God cleaning up rather than disappoint the very accommodating church.

Kevin Smith had a custom pack of cigarettes made for the character of Silent Bob. The label read Nails.

On the train when Silent Bob grabs Bartleby, he yells, Schueler Bob? I'll get you for this Schueler Bob! Ben Affleck ad-libbed the line, much to the amusement of the cast and crew, intending it to be Silent Bob in German. Kevin Smith left it in even though Schueler is actually German for pupil.

In the opening sequence at the airport, Gwyneth Paltrow was sitting a couple of seats away from Ben Affleck. She is never seen however, and was only there because Affleck had invited her to the set that day as a friend.

This is the fourth film in Kevin Smith's intricately interconnected View Askewniverse series (the others being Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back). The movies are all linked by characters, themes and events and each contains numerous references to the others.

Silent Bob's line, No ticket, is a reference to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

When Azrael is urging Silent Bob to use the golf club on him, he repeats lines from The Howling: Go ahead, take it. Consider it a gift. Take it, bright boy.

Metatron refers to The Karate Kid - Wax on, wax off.

Bartleby says, "Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." This is a quote from the title sequence of the TV series The Incredible Hulk

After God heals Bethany, Metatron says, She can rebuld you, She has the technology. She can make you better, stronger, faster, a reference to the The Six Million Dollar Man

There are several references to George Carlin, including the name Rufus (his character from the Bill and Ted movies) and quotes from his stand-up act.

When Azrael takes Bartleby and Loki to the toy store, Madman toys can be seen behind Azrael. Madman is a comic book character created by Mike Allred, who did the pencils for the comic book pages used in Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy

Rufus tells Bethany something no one else knew, about a boy named Bryan Johnson. Bryan Johnson is a friend of Kevin Smith's and appears in most of his films. Bryan Johnson is a writer/director who directed the first film from View Askew (Smith's production company) not to be directed by Kevin Smith – Vulgar

Rufus's reply, "Know him? Nigga owes me twelve bucks!" when asked if he knows Christ was one of the few lines ad-libbed by Chris Rock.

The Buddy Christ statue that was used in the film is on display (as of mid-2001) at Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, a comic book store in Red Bank, New Jersey owned by Kevin Smith.

Several versions of the script had much less couth dialogue for the conversation between Loki and the nun. Originally, he told her to take the money she was collecting and get a nice piece of ass; this was changed for the movie to a nice dress. The original was a reference to the book/movie Fletch

All angels are identically dressed except for the color of their clothes.

The film was picketed by Roman Catholic groups.

Unbeknown to protesters, Kevin Smith joined one of the Catholic groups that protested his film. He managed to get interviewed by a reporter who recognized him, though Smith managed to stay incognito by giving his friend's name as his own (Bryan Johnson; also present at the protest rally) and telling her that he is often mistaken for the Clerks director. During the interview Smith also made the comment that he kind of liked his first film.

Kevin Smith gave himself a puppeteers credit under the name Kevin P. Smith. This was for helping out with the handling of the wings in various scenes.

The hoods worn around the neck of the three angels in the film, Metatron, Bartleby and Loki represent their haloes.

The very distinctive typeface used in the logotype of the film's title and elsewhere is called Exocet Light, and is licensed by Emigre Graphics in Northern California.

In the Mooby boardroom, there is a display case with awards in it, including two Oscars. During filming of the movie, stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck both won Oscars for Good Will Hunting

Robert Holtzman, the film's production designer who also appears as a police officer, also has a character named after him: Mr. Holtzman in the boardroom scene.

Director Trademark: After meeting with Bethany, Jay says, It's like I'm Han, you're Chewie, she's Obi-Wan and we're in that fucked-up bar!

Director Trademark: In the DVD Special Edition there is a cut scene where Jay (Jason Mewes) puts on Cardinal Glick's (George Carlin) hat and walks back and forth behind a screen so that all you see is the hat, looking like a shark's fin.

Director Trademark: One of the Stygian triplets wears a Hellboy t-shirt, Bartleby says You wouldn't like me when I'm angry in reference to the Hulk, Madman toys appear in the toy store.

Jay and Silent Bob state that they were on a search for the fictional town of Shermer, Illinois, referenced in John Hughes's movies. Rufus later reveals a secret from Bethany's past about a boy named Brian Johnson, which is the same name as a character from the John Hughes film The Breakfast Club set in Shermer.

Both Bill Murray and Adam Sandler were considered for the role of Azrael.

Following several unsatisfactory takes of Jay's reaction to the result of the God/Bartleby confrontation, Kevin Smith simply told Jason Mewes to do it like Daffy Duck.

The Mooby restaurant's playground was created especially for the movie - it's shaped like a giant meat grinder.

Alanis Morissette's only line was cut out. When Bethany asks her Why are we here? she replies, "Plastics," and beeps Bethany's nose. In the final cut she just beeps Bethany's nose. The joke was an intentional reference to a stand up comedy routine by George Carlin in which he says nearly the same thing.

The boardroom massacre was supposed to be a John Woo-type action sequence (hence the big stunt guys in suits) but Kevin Smith decided to change it at the last minute.

When they heard Alan Rickman was a Chasing Amy fan, Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier felt confident enough to ask him to play Metatron. He read the script and came back with only two questions: 1) would we stay faithful to the script, and 2) are the wings real or CGI?

The character of Gov. Dalton - played by a different actress - was originally in the original version of Kevin Smith's Mallrats, but was cut from that movie.

Director Trademark: The scene transitions are done in the same way as the Star Wars movies, wiping instead of just cutting to the next scene.

Bartelby and Loki's address in Milwakee is 345 Redemption Blvd. This can be seen on the envelope containing the newspaper clipping in the airport scene.

Silent Bob speaks a total of three words in the movie.

Smith originally wrote an early draft of the film in the early-90s and planned on shooting it after Clerks, hence the inclusion of that movie's end credits: Jay and Silent Bob will return in 'Dogma'. However, he found himself unhappy with the early version of the script and decided instead to not pursue the project until he became a better filmmaker.

Smith pursued Robert Rodriguez to direct the film. Rodriguez enjoyed the script but, in seeing how personal the story was, insisted that Smith himself direct.

Among the numerous (reportedly eight) drafts of the script written, the controversy and protests of the film were based on the third draft which was transcribed and placed on the internet by an unknown source.

Silent Bob is seen reading USA Today. Kevin Smith met his wife while she was interviewing him for an article she was writing for USA Today.

Footage of the exterior shot of the train scene was recycled from the movie Narrow Margin

According to Kevin Smith on his DVD commentary Linda Fiorentino was very difficult to work with and on some days in fact wasn't even speaking to him. In retrospect Smith says he wishes he offered the role to 'Jeanine Garofalo' instead.

Factual error: After Rufus falls to earth, when he is reading the Aramaic to Bethany, he concludes by pointing out Jesus' name Left-to-Right while Aramaic is read Right-to-Left.

Continuity error: At the start of the church massacre, Bartelby tears his shirt to reveal the metal chest plate. In the next shot when he yells at Loki the shirt is shown with no tears in it.

Continuity error: At the end of the movie where Bartleby gets his wings shot off by Jay, just afterwards you see him brush two feathers out of his hair. Then they cut to Jay again, and when they go back to Bartleby you see him brushing two feathers out of his hair as he stands up.

Continuity error: Rufus disappears briefly during confrontation on the train.

Continuity error: When Silent Bob sprays the Golgothen, his finger holding the button switches to his thumb then back to his finger when the camera angle switches.

Continuity error: The puddle in front of Bethany's car keys after the Stygian Triplets knock her down appears and disappears in between shots.

Crew or equipment visible: A wooden board is seen being moved against the doors in the board room to prevent them from swinging open, just before the blood is splashed on them.

Crew or equipment visible: When Bartleby is holding Serendipity by the throat the metallic object that holds his wings in place is revealed.

Crew or equipment visible: Reflection of camera and dolly operators visible in the "Wisconsin Winter Magic" poster on the airport (right after Bartleby and Loki passed the Cheesehead Country guy).

Crew or equipment visible: When Bartleby turns around to confront Jay, Bartleby props his wings up, and the mechanics can be seen by his right shoulder.

Continuity error: When Metatron wakes Bethany the phone on her nightstand moves from scene to scene.

Continuity error: In the Mooby headquarters, the glass that covers some of the posters (the Surly Duck poster in particular) is seen in some shots, but removed in others. (This was done to prevent reflections of the crew from being seen.)

Continuity error: When Rufus falls to Earth, both of his feet are facing the same way. In the next shot, both his feet are facing inward.

Revealing mistake: A rubber hand can be seen next to the fallen Loki after Bartleby stabs him.

Continuity error: In the Wisconsin airport, the same couple walks behind Loki and Bartleby twice in the same direction.

Continuity error: In the Wisconsin airport, when Loki steps over the seats to sit next to Bartleby he steps over with his left leg first in one shot and in the next shot he is stepping over with his right leg first.

Revealing mistake: When Metatron walks across the water you can see a dark platform in the water where he is walking.

Continuity error: Changing shadows and sunlight throughout the movie, especially when Rufus falls to Earth and at the St Michaels church.

Continuity error: The amount of Rufus' "Egg A Mooby Muffin" changes inconsistently between shots when he, Bethany, Jay and Silent Bob are eating breakfast.

Continuity error: when Azrael is holding Rufus, Bethany, Jay, Silent Bob and Serendipity hostage, Jay's positioning in the chair changes between shots.

Continuity error: When Loki shoves Bethany down into the row of chairs outside the church, her hair comes out of the barrette on her right side. In the next shot (and after that) it's neatly back in place.

Revealing mistake: The cables lowering down the "flying" Bartleby in front of the church near the end of the movie are clearly visible.

Factual error: "Seraphim" is actually the plural form of "seraph".

Revealing mistake: When Silent Bob is laying down the supposedly dead Bethany in front of the church, her hands are clearly twitching.

Continuity error: In the airport, Bartleby reveals an envelope with an address written on it. When he draws it, the envelope is facing away from him, at the camera. In the next shot, the address is facing Bartleby.

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: In the disclaimers at the beginning of the film, the word "judgment" is spelled "judgement". This is the UK English spelling of the word and is the spelling found in the King James Bible - it was clearly used for effect.

Continuity error: As God prepares to clean up the mess made by Loki and Bartleby, she is standing next to a dead body. Just as the camera zooms in to a close-up, you can see the body's right foot move.

Continuity error: When Metatron first visits Bethany in her room it is clearly nighttime. Shortly after she turns on her lamp and stands next to her window, there are obvious times when the light is clearly coming from outside and others when it again appears to be dark outside again.

Continuity error: When Azreal is holding Bethany and crew hostage in the Jersey bar, Jay can be seen apparently sleeping with his head down from one camera angle but in others he is wide awake.

Continuity error: When Silent Bob is spraying the Galgothon (Shit Demon) with the fart spray, he alternates between using his thumb and forefinger on the can between shots.

Continuity error: When Loki and Bartleby talk in the bus, the bus's interior lights are on. But, when Loki exacts vengeance on the passenger in front of them, the bus's interior lights are off.

Audio/visual unsynchronized: The gun that Loki uses appears to be a Desert Eagle .50 caliber, however, every time he shoots it, it emits little more than a "pop" similar to perhaps a .22 or maybe a .38. A Desert Eagle .50 caliber pistol emits a very distinctive "boom" much closer to that of a shotgun.

Opening text:

Disclaimer: 1) a renunciation of any claim to or connection with; 2) disavowal; 3) a statement made to save one's own ass. Though it'll go without saying ten minutes or so into these preceedings, View Askew would like to state that this film is from start to finish a work of comedic fantasy, not to be taken seriously. To insist that any of what follows is incendiary or inflammatory is to miss our intention and pass judgement; and passing judgement is reserved for God and God alone (this goes for you film critics too...just kidding). So please before you think about hurting someone over this trifle of a film, remember: even God has a sense of humor. Just look at the Platypus. Thank you and enjoy the show.

P.S. We sincerely apologize to all Platypus enthusiasts out there who are offended by that thoughtless comment about Platypi. We at View Askew respect the noble Platypus, and it is not our intention to slight these stupid creatures in any way.

Thank you again and enjoy the show

Bartleby: I was close. You know, I was so close to slittin' that bitch's throat. You know how that felt? Righteous. Justified. Eager, even.

Loki: You all right man? Your eyes are kinda...

Bartleby: My eyes are open. For the first time, I get it. When that little innocent girl let her mission slip, I had an epiphany. See, in the beginning, it was just us and Him. Angels and God.

Loki: Uh huh

Bartleby: Then he created humans. Ours was designed to be a life of servitude and worship... and bowing and scraping and adoration. He gave them more than He ever gave us. He gave them a choice. They choose to acknowledge God, or choose to ignore him. All this time we've been down here, I've felt the absence of the Divine presence. And it's pained me... As I'm sure it must have pained you. And why? Because of the way he made us. Had we been given free will, we could choose to ignore the pain. Like they do. But no! We're servants!

Loki: Okay... You know, all I'm sayin' here, is one of us might need a little nap.

Bartleby: Wake up! These humans have besmirched everything He's bestowed upon them. They were given Paradise - they threw it away. They were given this planet - they destroyed it. They were favored best among all His endeavors, and some of them don't even believe he exists. And in spite of it all... He hath shown them infinite fucking patience at every turn. What about us? I asked you... Once, to lay down the sword, because I felt sorry for them. What was the result? Our expulsion from Paradise! Where was his infinite fucking patience then? It's not right! It's not fair! We've paid our debt. Don't you think it's time... Don't you think it's time we went home? And to do that... I... I think we may have to dispatch our-our would be dispatchers.

Loki: Wait. Wait. Wait. Kill them? You're talking about the Last Scion for Chrissakes! And what about Jay and Bob? I mean... Those guys were all right.

Bartleby: Don't. Don't my friend. See, don't let your sympathies get the best of you. They did me once. Scion or not, she's just a human. And by passing through that arch, our sins are forgiven. No harm, no foul

Loki: My God. I've heard a rant like this before

Bartleby: What did you say?

Loki: I've heard a rant like this before

Bartleby: Don't you fuckin' do that to me

Loki: You sound like the Morning Star

Bartleby: You shut your fuckin' mouth!

Loki: You do! You sound like Lucifer man! You fuckin' lost it! You're not talkin' about goin' home Bartleby, you're talkin' about fuckin' war on God. Well fuck that. I have seen what happens to the proud when then take on the throne. I'm goin' back to Wisconsin.

Bartleby: We’re going home, Loki! And no one, not you, not even the Almighty himself, is gonna make that otherwise.