The Monk (2011)
"Le moine" (original title)

Madrid, in the seventeenth century. Abandoned at the doorstep of a monastery, Ambrosio has been brought up by the Capucin Friars. After becoming a friar himself, he becomes an unrivaled ... See full summary »

Director:

Dominik Moll

Writers:

Matthew Lewis (novel), Dominik Moll (screenplay),

Stars:

Vincent Cassel, Déborah François, Joséphine Japy

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vincent Cassel	...	Capucin Ambrosio
Déborah François	...	Valerio
Joséphine Japy	...	Antonia
Sergi López	...	Le débauché
Catherine Mouchet	...	Elvire
Jordi Dauder	...	Père Miguel
Geraldine Chaplin	...	L'abbesse
Roxane Duran	...	Soeur Agnès
Frédéric Noaille	...	Lorenzo
Javivi	...	Frère Andrés (as Javivi Gil Valle)
Martine Vandeville	...	Leonella
Pierre-Félix Gravière	...	Frère Iago
Serge Feuillard	...	Le tuteur
Ernst Umhauer	...	Le novice
Jean-Francois Vendroux	...	L'homme au bébé (as Jean-François Vendroux)

Storyline

Madrid, in the seventeenth century. Abandoned at the doorstep of a monastery, Ambrosio has been brought up by the Capucin Friars. After becoming a friar himself, he becomes an unrivaled preacher whose sermons draw crowds and earn him the admiration of all. Admired for his extreme rigor and absolute virtue, Ambrosio is certain he is safe from any temptation. But Satan has not said his final word...

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Plot Keywords:

remake | gothic | male frontal nudity | literary adaptation | based on book | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality, brief graphic nudity and violent images

Details

Official Sites:

Diaphana [fr] Official site [es]

Country:

Spain France

Language:

French

Release Date:

13 July 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

The Monk

Filming Locations:

Aiguamúrcia, Tarragona, Cataluña, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

€11,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$8,418 (USA) (8 March 2013)

Gross:

$8,418 (USA) (8 March 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Diaphana Films, Morena Films, El Monje La Pelicula AIE

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

French visa # 120426 delivered on 9-6-2011.

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Connections

Version of Le moine (1972)

User Reviews

Re-edit it, please…

The book is a very thick one offering myriad materials, why does it turn out to be like a milk-and-water man? Has D. Moll shot any pilot footage for potential audience to comment? While working on this project, did he still remember MG Lewis's "The Monk" was among the very first Gothic novels in the history of the western literature? Mystery, darkness, suspense are necessary elements, however, the lack of the intensity and the excitement which should be generated by these three makes it less bright. The best treatment or suspense I find thus far is the very slow revelation of the relationship between Ambrosio and Antonia.

Truly, all ingredients are ready: beautiful, poetic visuals, high quality music score, good acting. It is so promising to be more powerful than J-J Annaud's "The name of the rose"! Only, seriously, truly, absolutely… re-editing is definitely imperative. Just a couple of revisions may make the work far much better: 1) more on Valerio and Le débauché for they prove Ambrosio's pride to be wrong, 2) score with Bach's St Matthew Passion and St John Passion or other church music of his on the shots of Frère Iago being struck by a heavy stony object from the façade, 3) adjust the lighting, use more candle light to reflect the darkness to create suspense and mysterious ambiance (I guess that something can be done on the footage/film), 4) re-arrange the storyline order, for example, right at the beginning, put the crow-pecking on the baby and the dead body of Ambrosio together to rouse people's curiosity, 5) more on his demure sermons to exhibit his hypocrisy, 6) close-up shots of Ambrosio's face while he is on the way to drug and rape Antonia, and a couple of other revisions...

While leaving the cinema house, my only comment: the editor is too lazy or busy to think. I for sure will be 100% happy to see the re-edited version if there will be one.