Agnes of God (1985)

When a naive novice nun is discovered with a dead newborn in her convent quarters, a court appointed psychiatrist investigates her case.

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

John Pielmeier (screenplay), John Pielmeier (stage play)

Stars:

Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft, Meg Tilly

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jane Fonda	...	Dr. Martha Livingston
Anne Bancroft	...	Mother Miriam Ruth
Meg Tilly	...	Sister Agnes
Anne Pitoniak	...	Dr. Livingston's Mother
Winston Rekert	...	Detective Langevin
Gratien Gélinas	...	Father Martineau
Guy Hoffmann	...	Justice Joseph Leveau (as Guy Hoffman)
Gabriel Arcand	...	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

Storyline

At a convent, fragile, unearthly Sister Agnes gives birth (she says it's a virgin birth), but the child dies. 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.

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Plot Keywords:

psychiatrist | convent | novice | church | mother superior | 

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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.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Latin

Release Date:

13 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Agnes de Dios

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Delphi IV Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The roles given to Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft and Meg Tilly were portrayed on Broadway by Elizabeth Ashley, Geraldine Page and Amanda Plummer.

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Quotes

Doctor Martha Livingston: Agnes, how do you feel about babies?
Sister Agnes: Oh, they frighten me; I'm afraid I'll drop them. They have a soft spot on their heads, and if you drop them so they land on their heads, they become stupid. I was dropped on MY head; that's why I don't understand things.
Doctor Martha Livingston: Like what?
Sister Agnes: Numbers! You can spend your whole life counting 'em and never reach the end.
Doctor Martha Livingston: I don't understand them, either... Do you 'spose I was dropped on my head?
Sister Agnes: [concerned] I hope not... it's a terrible thing to be dropped on your head.

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Connections

Features Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981)

User Reviews

Suppose the saints would have smoked if tobacco'd been popular back then?

A Golden Globe performance for Meg Tilly and Oscar nominations for Tilly and Anne Bancroft. This is a story that brings into question stigmata, belief, along with the possibility of virgin birth.

A nun (Tilly) has a baby, which is found dead, and she is brought up on manslaughter charges. She claims no knowledge of the baby or how to even have a baby.

Jane Fonda, an obvious skeptic, is a psychiatrist appointed to examine the situation. What is a to be a psychiatric examination turns into an investigation of the convent. Secrets come out bit by bit as Nancy Drew, I mean the psychiatrist, discovers the one secret that can explain everything.

But does it? Simple seduction or a miracle? It is left for the viewer to decide.

What is not left to the viewer to decide is the excellent performances by the three stars above. They were miraculous.