The Baby of Mâcon (1993)

A movie about the corruption in all levels of society. A baby is born from a supposed-to-be virgin woman, so a chain of hysteria about divine intervention in the birth takes place.

Director:

Peter Greenaway

Writer:

Peter Greenaway

Stars:

Julia Ormond, Ralph Fiennes, Philip Stone

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julia Ormond	...	The Daughter
Ralph Fiennes	...	The Bishop's Son
Philip Stone	...	The Bishop
Jonathan Lacey	...	Cosimo Medici
Don Henderson	...	The Father Confessor
Celia Gregory	...	Mother Superior
Jeff Nuttall	...	The Majordomo
Jessica Hynes	...	The First Midwife (as Jessica Stevenson)
Kathryn Hunter	...	The Second Midwife
Gabrielle Reidy	...	The Third Midwife
Frank Egerton	...	The Prompter
Phelim McDermott	...	The First Tutor
Tony Vogel	...	The Father
Tatiana Strauss	...	The First Nun
Louisa Milwood-Haigh	...	The Second Nun

Storyline

A movie about the corruption in all levels of society. A baby is born from a supposed-to-be virgin woman, so a chain of hysteria about divine intervention in the birth takes place.

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Plot Keywords:

baby | male nudity | blood | brutality | cannibalism | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Netherlands UK Belgium Germany France

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1993 (UK)

Also Known As:

Baby of Macon

Filming Locations:

Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allarts, UGC, Cine Electra Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last cinema film of Philip Stone.

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Connections

Featured in The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 2: Vaux to the Sea (2004)

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Soundtracks

"L'Orfeo"
Music by Claudio Monteverdi

User Reviews

Great cinematic experience from master Greenaway

In case the "casual viewer" wants to see Peter Greenaway's "The Baby of Mâcon" he should be aware of one thing first: this is one hell of an outrageous movie, so he should be very (and I mean VERY) careful before picking this one out.

Well, what we basically happen to have here is another prove of Greenaway's excellence! "The Baby of Mâcon" is a very, shall we say, "hardcore" enterprise for it's director (in the sense that it's a really strong movie and an assault to the senses of what we could call the "casual viewer"). For first Greenaway is really concerned, once again, in telling the story of this picture by his visual metaphors instead of simply shooting his script without any style and believe-me that this time he must've had a hard time while shooting, because it's a very intriguing story and a very complex script. There are loads of characters that appear and reappear many times but, as the great director that he is, Greenaway is able to develop each one of then in order that they would have their own importance throughout the movie.

Of course, as you may well know, there are some really nasty moments. The final rape is an atrocity, I admit that, but the theme that Greenaway has chosen requires a very serious treatment, and that's the treatment that he gives. You may not like this movie, but you won't be able to deny that only Greenaway could've done such an engrossing picture. View this movie, if you can, in widescreen, since the Panavision 2.35:1 aspect ratio photography by Sacha Vierny is really stunning in this format.

Despite of some flaws, "The Baby of Mâcon" is a great film with MANY redeeming qualities.