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IMDbPro

Flavia, the Heretic

Original title: Flavia, la monaca musulmana
  • 19741974
  • RR
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Florinda Bolkan in Flavia, the Heretic (1974)
  • Drama
  • Horror
During the late Middle Ages, a young woman who's been forced to become a nun by her corrupt father teams up with an army of Muslims who are invading the area, to destroy the convent and kill... Read allDuring the late Middle Ages, a young woman who's been forced to become a nun by her corrupt father teams up with an army of Muslims who are invading the area, to destroy the convent and kill everyone who wronged her.During the late Middle Ages, a young woman who's been forced to become a nun by her corrupt father teams up with an army of Muslims who are invading the area, to destroy the convent and kill everyone who wronged her.
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Gianfranco Mingozzi
  • Writers
    • Raniero di Giovanbattista(story)
    • Sergio Tau(story)
    • Francesco Vietri(story)
  • Stars
    • Florinda Bolkan
    • María Casares
    • Claudio Cassinelli
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gianfranco Mingozzi
  • Writers
    • Raniero di Giovanbattista(story)
    • Sergio Tau(story)
    • Francesco Vietri(story)
  • Stars
    • Florinda Bolkan
    • María Casares
    • Claudio Cassinelli
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 31User reviews
    • 54Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Flavia, the Heretic trailer
    Trailer 1:03
    Flavia, the Heretic trailer

    Photos8

    Flavia, the Heretic (1974)
    Flavia, the Heretic (1974)
    Florinda Bolkan in Flavia, the Heretic (1974)
    Florinda Bolkan in Flavia, the Heretic (1974)
    Florinda Bolkan in Flavia, the Heretic (1974)
    Flavia, the Heretic (1974)
    Flavia, the Heretic (1974)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Florinda Bolkan
    Florinda Bolkan
    • Flavia Gaetanias Flavia Gaetani
    María Casares
    María Casares
    • Sister Agathaas Sister Agatha
    Claudio Cassinelli
    Claudio Cassinelli
    • Abrahamas Abraham
    Anthony Higgins
    Anthony Higgins
    • Ahmedas Ahmed
    • (as Anthony Corlan)
    Spyros Fokas
    Spyros Fokas
    • the French Dukeas the French Duke
    • (as Spiros Focás)
    Diego Michelotti
    • Flavia's Fatheras Flavia's Father
    Raika Juri
    • Sister Liviaas Sister Livia
    Jill Pratt
    • Mother Superioras Mother Superior
    Franca Grey
    • Village Girlas Village Girl
    Laura De Marchi
    Laura De Marchi
    • Tarantula Cult Womanas Tarantula Cult Woman
    Eduardo Filipone
    Ciro Ippolito
    Carla Mancini
    Carla Mancini
    Luigi Antonio Guerra
    Giuseppe Pertile
    • Bishopas Bishop
    Guido Celano
    Guido Celano
    • Man who prepares the decoctionas Man who prepares the decoction
    Stefano Trabalza
    Valentino Macchi
    • Impaled Friaras Impaled Friar
    • Director
      • Gianfranco Mingozzi
    • Writers
      • Raniero di Giovanbattista(story)
      • Sergio Tau(story) (screenplay)
      • Francesco Vietri(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      The movie takes place in Italy circa 1400. At one moment Flavia and Abraham are on the beach eating roasted ears of corn.
    • Quotes

      Flavia Gaetani: [addressing Christ on the cross] Why... why? Why is God male? The Father the Son and the Holy Ghost - all male. Even the twelve apostles. All twelve of them - males.

    • Alternate versions
      The 1994 UK Redemption video was cut by 1 min 24 secs by the BBFC with edits to topless nudity, the rape of the swine-herder's daughter, a nun's breast being burnt and her nipple cut off and shots of Flavia peeling skin from an ankle wound during the flaying scene, as well as heavy edits to a horse being castrated. The 2008 Shameless DVD was fully uncut.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Real Blue Nuns (2006)

    User reviews31

    Review
    Top review
    Transcendent "nunsploitation"
    This is the most notorious of the "nunsploitation" movies but it's also very atypical of the genre (if "nunsploitation" can be called a genre). For one thing it is serious, believable, and fairly historically accurate. For another thing it generally avoids being merely crass exploitation. There is sex and nudity but it is all in the context of the film. There is also A LOT of violence, but it is truly unpleasant and ugly violence--it is obviously not meant to simply titillate the audience. (I actually saw the edited version but I doubt it is any less powerful--what you picture in your mind when you realize what is happening on screen is at least as terrible as anything that could have been achieved with cheesy 1970's special effects). This film could also be considered part of the "rape-revenge" genre except that after the rape and revenge there is in turn yet more revenge against the avenging woman, and each time the violence escalates a little more until all the characters are tainted and the movie ends up being a wholesale condemnation of human cruelty and a powerful statement on the ultimate futility of violence. I'm sure many people will find this movie tasteless or offensive but when you consider how many movies--especially mainstream Hollywood movies--glorify and romanticize violence, presenting it as a valid way to resolve any problem, you truly realize how courageous and refreshing a movie like this is.
    helpful•21
    8
    • lazarillo
    • Jun 19, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 1977 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • France
    • Language
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Flavia: Heretic Priestess
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Maria di Colonna, Trani, Bari, Apulia, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Cinéphonic
      • Produzioni Atlas Consorziate (P.A.C.)
      • R.O.C.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Florinda Bolkan in Flavia, the Heretic (1974)
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