|
Post by Aj_June on Apr 24, 2020 23:58:03 GMT
Most probably this movie technically doesn't qualify to be a part of classic cinema board given its release year but I am still posting it here because for some reasons I just felt like seeing a really old movie.
I loved it from the start to the end. And I am not even a fan of Sean Connery. There was a certain scientific/logical modern type approach to solving the mystery but the setting and acting made it appear authentically a historical movie. The reason for that is probably that the picture was filmed in a real monastery and that's why it convincingly sends us to medieval age. After a bit of research I found that William of Baskerville has been compared with Sherlock Holmes by many people. This film is listed as "Italian-German-French mystery historical drama film". I can understand the Italian and French connection but did not get the German connection.
I must mention that acting by not Sean Connery but many other numerous characters if of pretty good quality. Probably that's why you don't get any boring minutes. In terms of the characters, even though the girl had a very little screen time, I was strangely moved by her role. Probably the ending is a bit unrealistic but I personally see a lot of dark movies so I am readily accepting of positive endings.
|
|
|
Post by petrolino on Apr 25, 2020 0:10:16 GMT
They made a tv show from Umberto Eco's excellent book recently, I think starring John Turturro.
The movie, I've seen many times. I also recommend director Jean-Jacques Annaud's other films. He's pretty unique to French cinema, a historian and a survivalist.
|
|
needysboy
Sophomore
@needysboy
Posts: 348
Likes: 129
|
Post by needysboy on Apr 25, 2020 0:15:33 GMT
Probably one of the companies behind the production was German.
This is one of my favorite movies. It is based on the novel by Umberto Eco. The ending of the book was different.
|
|
|
Post by OldAussie on Apr 25, 2020 1:46:15 GMT
watched it a few days ago for about the 4th time. Good movie. Read the book back in the 80s and found it heavy going.
|
|
|
Post by wmcclain on Apr 25, 2020 1:54:33 GMT
The Name of the Rose (1986), directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Year 1327, a bleak monastery in the wintry mountains of northern Italy. A convocation of monks is assembling for a politically charged theological debate. Inconveniently, the site has a series of strange and inexplicable deaths. Is it the Devil? Skeptical Brother William of Baskerville doesn't think so, but proving murder requires a dangerous penetration into secrets and conspiracies. It's an odd combination of styles: a realistic depiction of the times (in the dirty and brutal mode) mixed with the type of murder sleuthing we see in fantasies like Poirot or Marple. We even have Cadfael-level medieval forensics. The juxtaposition mirrors the story itself: the cruel grotty background is a "no laughing" zone, just as the blind Venerable Jorge would have it, but the detection is done with humor and winking: William of Baskerville combines William of Ockham with Sherlock Holmes. The center of the secret is the sole remaining copy of an ancient text on the use of comedy. The quick ending where the peasants rise up against the Inquisitor seems implausible, but very convenient for the plot. I haven't read the book (few have, it is said) so can't comment on the adaptation. The film did poorly in the US but was much more popular in Europe. The Blu-ray has a heartfelt commentary track by the director; he was passionate about the project: - A glass painting of the monastery on the hilltop is the only special effect shot in the film. Everything else is direct photography.
- He resisted Sean Connery as the lead for a long time, but when he actually heard him read the lines, the delivery was exactly as he imagined it should be.
- Christian Slater (age 15) was given no guidance or direction for his love scene with the peasant girl, apart from "She's in charge, just do what she wants." The actress was the first of three supposed to be auditioned, but when Slater saw her he wanted no other.
- Annaud loved using regional and unknown actors with "interesting" (= sort of deformed) faces. "Their souls are beautiful". Apart from Ron Perlman's denture and hump there is very little in the way of prosthetics. All the haircuts are real.
- Sets, books and props were constructed with meticulous detail. Many of the props are now in museums as replica pieces.
- The statue of the Virgin is misplaced Renaissance art, but there was no money to replace it. He says he got 2000 letters about it.
- The collapsing ceiling of the burning library was rushed and unexpectedly dangerous. He had to roll Sean Connery on the ground to put him out. A falling beam was a real piece of oak that struck old Feodor Chaliapin Jr, the villainous blind monk, to the ground. "Are you all right?" "Who cares? I'm 82! Did you get the shot?"
- He praises the entire cast except for F. Murray Abraham, regarding whom he is blunt: he had just won the Academy Award and it made him petty and malicious. (Maybe he was just in character the whole time).
- He says that contrary to its image, Hollywood has always treated him very well.
James Horner score. Brief nudity and passion, some butchery of animals and burnings at the stake. Available on Blu-ray.
|
|
|
Post by politicidal on Apr 25, 2020 2:39:05 GMT
7/10. An intriguing and sometimes thoughtful change of pace for Sean Connery.
|
|
|
Post by cynthiagreen on Apr 25, 2020 11:24:25 GMT
I was pleasantly surprised at how involving it was when i saw it on video circa 1988/9. Not seen it since but would give it another go. Comfortably makes my top ten of 1986. First time Christian Slater made an impression. In truth not sure Connery is in theory ideal casting but he brings such gravitas his incongruities don't seem to harm the end result much.
|
|
|
Post by Isapop on Apr 26, 2020 18:24:11 GMT
I first saw it at a late afternoon showing (a U.S. theater). I was literally the ONLY person in the theater. Yep, not much U.S. patronage. The studio certainly didn't know how to market it. At first, the ads just showed a portentous close up of Connery's face with his hood. But later ads offered a cartoon drawing of Connery head to toe, standing with arms folded and a mischievous look on his face, designed to look like James Bond in a monk's robe. Totally wrong vibe for this fine movie.In a interview several year ago, Slater said Connery gave him one piece of advice before the scene - "Don't forget to breathe."
|
|
|
Post by politicidal on Apr 26, 2020 18:39:47 GMT
Drew Struzan's poster art is kind of ill-fitting for the movie but that's a great tagline.
|
|
|
Post by theravenking on Apr 26, 2020 19:42:56 GMT
Most probably this movie technically doesn't qualify to be a part of classic cinema board given its release year but I am still posting it here because for some reasons I just felt like seeing a really old movie. I loved it from the start to the end. And I am not even a fan of Sean Connery. There was a certain scientific/logical modern type approach to solving the mystery but the setting and acting made it appear authentically a historical movie. The reason for that is probably that the picture was filmed in a real monastery and that's why it convincingly sends us to medieval age. After a bit of research I found that William of Baskerville has been compared with Sherlock Holmes by many people. This film is listed as "Italian-German-French mystery historical drama film". I can understand the Italian and French connection but did not get the German connection. I must mention that acting by not Sean Connery but many other numerous characters if of pretty good quality. Probably that's why you don't get any boring minutes. In terms of the characters, even though the girl had a very little screen time, I was strangely moved by her role. Probably the ending is a bit unrealistic but I personally see a lot of dark movies so I am readily accepting of positive endings. It was German producer Bernd Eichinger who had purchased the film rights for the book. Apparently there was a lot of interest from Hollywood as well, but Eichinger managed to beat out the competition.
|
|
|
Post by theravenking on Apr 26, 2020 19:46:59 GMT
They made a tv show from Umberto Eco's excellent book recently, I think starring John Turturro.
The movie, I've seen many times. I also recommend director Jean-Jacques Annaud's other films. He's pretty unique to French cinema, a historian and a survivalist.
The tv show is only loosely inspired by the book. They invented some entirely new story lines for it.
|
|