Elvira Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Has anyone seen this film and or read the book (by Umberto Eco)? Its one of my favourites. For those of you keen on history and the learning about the Inquisition I would definitely recommend it, although I find it disturbing to 'see' how cruel the inquisition was, even though I've read quite a bit about it. To me it really brings home the horror and evil of these times, and how witches and non witches alike were persecuted in the name of religion for power. A brief synopsis from wikipedia, (not complete as I don't want to give the ending away!):The story takes place in Northern Italy, during the early 14th Century A.D. Franciscan monk William of Baskerville and his novice Adso of Melk (narrating as an old man) arrive at a Benedictine abbey where a mysterious death has occurred ahead of an important theological Church conference. William, known for his deductive and analytic mind, confronts the worried Abbot and gains permission to investigate the death – a young illuminator appears to have committed suicide. Over the next few days, several other bizarre deaths occur, and the two gradually discover that everything is not what it seems in the abbey. William and Adso also make the acquaintance of Salvatore, a demented hunchback who speaks gibberish in various languages, and his handler and protector, Remigio da Varagine who, as events prove, also has a shady past. William quickly deduces that Salvatore had once been a member of a heretical sect and infers that Remigio likewise had been involved. He suspects that they may have been involved in the killings. Meanwhile, Adso encounters a beautiful semi-feral peasant girl who has apparently sneaked into the abbey to trade sexual favours for food; she seduces him, and he falls in love with her. Investigating and keen to head off accusations of demonic possession, the protagonists discover and explore a labyrinthine library in the abbey's forbidden principal tower. William is astonished to find that it is "one of the greatest libraries in all Christendom," containing dozens of works by Classical masters such as Aristotle, thought to have been lost for centuries. William deduces that the library is kept hidden because such advanced knowledge, coming from pagan philosophers, is difficult to reconcile with Christianity. It becomes clear that the only remaining copy of Aristotle's Second Book of Poetics is somehow related to the deaths. He further deduces that all of those who died had read the book. His investigations are curtailed by the arrival of Bernardo Gui of the Inquisition, summoned for the conference and keen to prosecute those he deems responsible for the deaths. Elvira Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloe Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I haven't seen or read this, but it sounds like something I'd be interested in reading. Thanks for posting about it. :) Edit - Just checked and for those that have netflix, this is on instant play! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvira Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 (edited) I haven't seen or read this, but it sounds like something I'd be interested in reading. Thanks for posting about it. :) [/quote Knowing your love of history I think you will really enjoy it , I hope so anyway:) Elvira Edited November 30, 2011 by Elvira Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramayr Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Saw it ages ago - Sean Connery IIRCIn an interview on a chat show Sean said that when the novice was seduced by the girl he actually had sex with her (I remember that bit and it was pretty convincing lol).A good film from what I remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvira Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Saw it ages ago - Sean Connery IIRCIn an interview on a chat show Sean said that when the novice was seduced by the girl he actually had sex with her (I remember that bit and it was pretty convincing lol).A good film from what I remember. Yes, Sean Connery, and really? Well he certainly seemed to enjoy himself!! Elvira Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oceanasmoon Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 (edited) This was a brilliant movie. Excellent acting, excellent recreations... very thought provoking. It was terrible to see the way heretics were treated and tortured. plus I just love Sean Connery's accent. ;-) Edited November 30, 2011 by Oceana's Moon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvira Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 I haven't seen or read this, but it sounds like something I'd be interested in reading. Thanks for posting about it. :) Edit - Just checked and for those that have netflix, this is on instant play! Watch and enjoy El Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain Witch Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I've had this one on VCR (yep, old school) for years - love it. Knowing that films usually don't do the book justice, it's been on my "to read" list for as many years. Just haven't gotten around to it. And yes, Sean Connery. Mmmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloe Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 And yes, Sean Connery. Mmmmmm. Sexiest white haired man I've ever seen... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakbuchanan Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Funnily enough I was only talking to someone about that book a few hours ago lol I read this book back in the 90s and I flew through it a couple of sittings..I enjoyed the plot and the intriguing character William of Baskerville.. A fine murder mystery but also much deeper food for thought contained within.. I did also see the film after that, with the young Keano Reeves and yes I have heard the same about that sex scene.. It does stand up well as a film on it's own though and Sean Connery Is excellent in the role of W o B imo.. Grim old times, but definately worth a read or a watch or both... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyShalott Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Sexiest white haired man I've ever seen... Mmmmmmmhhhmmmmmmmm ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramayr Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Sean Connery was introduced once by Billy Connolly as '..a shite for shore eyes' lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakbuchanan Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Sean Connery was introduced once by Billy Connolly as '..a shite for shore eyes' lol LMAO! Sounds just like him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tana Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Funnily enough I was only talking to someone about that book a few hours ago lol I read this book back in the 90s and I flew through it a couple of sittings..I enjoyed the plot and the intriguing character William of Baskerville.. A fine murder mystery but also much deeper food for thought contained within.. I did also see the film after that, with the young Keano Reeves and yes I have heard the same about that sex scene.. It does stand up well as a film on it's own though and Sean Connery Is excellent in the role of W o B imo.. Grim old times, but definately worth a read or a watch or both... It was a young Christian Slater. If he really did have sex with the actress playing the beggar girl then all I can say is lucky girl!Loved the book and the film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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