Anchoress (1993)

In fourteenth-century England, peasant girl Christine Carpenter is so attracted to a statue of the Virgin Mary that the local priest (who lusts after her) suggests she be walled up in the ... See full summary »

Director:

Chris Newby

Writers:

Judith Stanley-Smith, Christine Watkins

Stars:

Natalie Morse, Gene Bervoets, Toyah Willcox

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natalie Morse	...	Christine Carpenter
Gene Bervoets	...	Reeve (as Eugene Bervoets)
Toyah Willcox	...	Pauline Carpenter
Pete Postlethwaite	...	William Carpenter
Christopher Eccleston	...	Priest
Michael Pas	...	Drover
Brenda Bertin	...	Meg Carpenter
Annette Badland	...	Mary
Veronica Quilligan	...	Daisy
Julie T. Wallace	...	Bertha
Ann Way	...	Alice
François Beukelaers	...	Bishop
Jan Decleir	...	Mason
David Boyce	...	Ragged Martin
Mieke De Groote	...	Ragged Martin's Wife

Storyline

In fourteenth-century England, peasant girl Christine Carpenter is so attracted to a statue of the Virgin Mary that the local priest (who lusts after her) suggests she be walled up in the church as an anchoress, a holy woman with responsibility for blessing the villagers. But when the priest has Christine's mother tried as a witch, she digs herself out of her cell, a crime for which the punishment is death...

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Plot Keywords:

virgin | anchorwoman | religion | 1300s | medieval times

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Taglines:

Ecstasy and orthodoxy in the 14th century!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

International Film Circuit

Country:

Belgium UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1995 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Film Institute (BFI), Corsan Productions N.V., Upstate Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ann Way's last film. She died before release.

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Goofs

When Christine and Meg are decorating the Virgin Mary with apples, they go up a ladder, which clearly ends on a small ledge inside the church. Cut scenes then indicate that the ladder actually leads to the top of an apple tree somewhere outside.

User Reviews

14th century vision succeeds

If this film appears sparse to some I would remind the viewer that agrarian life 500+ years ago was just that. What Anchoress may lack in dialogue is made up for in sound, texture, and detailed attention to lighting, mostly outdoor. Very few films (Seventh Seal) are able to capture the stark setting of the underpopulated reality that was Europe

• not all historical scenarios need be drowned with battle sequences,

lavishly dressed royals, and epic soundtracks aimed to fill empty spaces. No one lived like that except a small few. I would recommend this film to anyone who has an appreciation of women's history, and ancient Christian mysticism. The story of Christine's descent into the church, her rebirth, and eventual retreat into the earth is beautifully filmed and acted by all involved in this unique project. A scene not to be missed is Christine's fabulously angry mother pissing before the priest on his own church yard. Why all the pagans out there who frequent this site have not championed this movie is beyond me!