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The Baby of Mâcon (1993)
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Overview
User Rating:
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Director:
Writer:
Peter Greenaway (writer)
Release Date:
5 January 1994 (France)
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Plot:
A movie about the corruption in all levels of society. A baby is born from a supposed-to-be virgin woman...
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Plot Keywords:
Baby
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Pubic Hair
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Male Pubic Hair
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Sex
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17th Century
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Awards:
1 win
&
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Ralph Fiennes: 'We were told there was no money and no presents for Christmas'
(From The Guardian - Film News. 10 December 2011, 1:38 PM, PST)
Secret Defense: Roland Emmerich's "Anonymous"
(From MUBI. 1 November 2011, 2:34 PM, PDT)
Julia Ormond: Stardom and how to survive it
(From The Guardian - Film News. 25 October 2011, 4:05 PM, PDT)
(From The Guardian - Film News. 10 December 2011, 1:38 PM, PST)
Secret Defense: Roland Emmerich's "Anonymous"
(From MUBI. 1 November 2011, 2:34 PM, PDT)
Julia Ormond: Stardom and how to survive it
(From The Guardian - Film News. 25 October 2011, 4:05 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
What is ultimately a Stage Epic....
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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 | ... | The Mother Superior |
| Jeff Nuttall | ... | The Major Domo |
 | 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 |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
122 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:R18+ | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1996) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1993) | France:-16 | Germany:16 | Iceland:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Portugal:M/18 (Qualidade) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:Not Rated
Filming Locations:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
First theatrical film of British actress Julia Ormond.See more »
Movie Connections:
Featured in The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 2: Vaux to the Sea (2004)See more »
Soundtrack:
Ave Maria StellaSee more »
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.See more (36 total) »
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company.
I'm surprised at the common interpretations of this film, and I agree it is incredibly gratuitous in it's manner, but it also reflects that of a modern crisis. Greenaway based this film on his witnessing of the virtual exploitation of youth in mass commercialism, from television to that of city billboards.
The story revolves around an infant who is exploited by a young woman, ultimately for attention, by claiming the child as being holy and that God speaks through him (the voice being that of a man plainly seen, hidden up near the rafters. Quite brilliant production settings I think). What begins as a sudden rise to fame for her soon starts to unravel leading to an eventual murder, and her quick descent into hell (as explained by the other reviewers).
The production values are simply superb in it's theatre settings with either minimalist action and wonderful dialogue, or a stage filled with constant movement and flair, (and wonderful dialogue). The subdued, yet bright colour's throughout, and morbid setting's reflect perfectly that of an intoxicating period of history, and really makes one glad that they dont exist in this corrupted, horrific environment. As said elsewhere, you can almost smell the stench.
The acting is absolutely brilliant, from Ormond as the child's disturbed mentor to her eventual lover "The Bishop's Son" Fiennes. I truly can't understand how one of the reviewers would consider this to be a low point for Fiennes, as, if I were in his position, I would be truly proud of the performance given and the content of this wonderful film. It's morbid, but gives much at the same time to the imagination.
It's a shocking film nearly all the way through but I think that's just one of the factors that contributes to it's success and it's portrayal of a truly bloody and socially immoral period of time and context (especially for the classic theatre settings) Any other way would have detracted from the subject. The ending has never left my mind. I love this film.
10/10.