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Agnes of God (1985)

PG-13 | | Drama, Mystery | 27 September 1985 (USA)
When a naive novice nun is discovered with a dead newborn in her convent quarters, a court-appointed psychiatrist investigates her case.

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Writers:

(screenplay), (play)
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Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 2 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
Anne Pitoniak ...
Dr. Livingston's Mother
Winston Rekert ...
Detective Larry Langevin
Gratien Gélinas ...
Father Martineau
Guy Hoffmann ...
Justice Joseph Leveau (as Guy Hoffman)
...
Monsignor
Françoise Faucher ...
Eve LeClaire
Jacques Tourangeau ...
Eugène Lyon
Janine Fluet ...
Sister Marguerite
Deborah Grover ...
Sister Anne
Michele George ...
Sister Susanna
Samantha Langevin ...
Sister Jeannine
Jacqueline Blais ...
Sister David Marie
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Storyline

At a convent, fragile, unearthly Sister Agnes gives birth, but the child dies and Agnes retains no memory of the event. The police soon are involved because of the death of the baby. However, the main conflict is between Mother Superior Miriam Ruth, who wants Agnes left alone, and Dr. Martha Livingston, a psychiatrist determined to help Agnes gain a stronger grasp on reality and uncover any wrongdoers. Written by Reid Gagle

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

What unspeakable crime took place behind the third floor window? Only Agnes knows. And Dr. Martha Livingston is the one person who can unravel the mystery.

Genres:

Drama | Mystery

Certificate:

PG-13 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

| |

Release Date:

27 September 1985 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Agnes de Dios  »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Actress Meg Tilly has said that her best film experience was working with director Norman Jewison and actresses Jane Fonda and Anne Bancroft on this picture. See more »

Goofs

During the most profound scene where Agnes receives the stigmata, the audio boom is visible for at least five seconds. See more »

Quotes

Eve LeClaire: Nobody is interested in sending a nun to prison.
Justice Joseph Leveau: We're not telling you what to decide Martha. We're not even telling you to take this.
Eugene Lyon: Is there any reason why you feel you shouldn't take it?
Doctor Martha Livingston: Today's my birthday. I always make bad decisions on my birthday.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Directors: The Films of Norman Jewison (1999) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Such a good movie.
2 March 2006 | by (Providence, RI) – See all my reviews

Having seen this movie for the first time when I was 15 or so, and having no idea what I was watching, I was in for some great viewing when I watched it again 20 years later.

The cast, needless to say, is stupendous. Jane Fonda, the late Anne Bancroft, and a fledgling Meg Tilly, back in a time when movies with just women actors were unheard of, especially dramas.

The plot of the movie orbits around a crime. In a convent, in the middle of a cold Canadian night, a scream in the darkness uncovers an unconscious Nun, Agnes(Meg Tilly), coverd in blood. After she is taken away the mother superior(Anne Bancroft) finds, to her horror, a dead baby in the waste paper basket in Agnes' cell.

Leary of sending a Nun to prison the Candian legal system assigns a psychiatrist (Jane Fonda) to Agnes to determine that Agnes is insane and to have her committed.

We soon find out, the Agnes, very young, innocent, and iggnorant of the ways of the world, had no idea that she was pregnant, how she became pregnant, or how anyone becomes pregnant. Agnes often is spoken to by someone she calls "the lady", as well as her dead mother. There are plot twists, and faith based happenings, and possible psychological explanations to things that happen in this movie to the point that would leave anyone guessing.

I believe this movie to be a hidden classic. The acting is superb, and seamless. The only thing I would question in this movie is the directors decision to make Jane Fonda's character (Dr. Martha Livingston) smoke so much. It is clear that Ms. Fonda did not smoke at the time, and she handles the cigarettes awkwardly at times.

Meg Tilly, however, is the light of this movie. She displays a John Malkovich ability to act seemingly crazy, but somehow not, at the same time.

Anne Bancroft, when is there ever anything to say about her, other then utter perfection.

The end of the movie leaves the watcher to make his or her own decision. Is Agnes insane? Or was she brutilized horribly by some man that managed to sneak into the convent. Why did the Mother Superior not tell everything she knew sooner? Truly a wonderful piece of film!


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