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The Principle of Wisdom

Original title: O Princípio da Sabedoria
  • 19761976
  • 2h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
13
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
O Princípio da Sabedoria (1976)
  • Drama
  • Fantasy
Add a plot in your language
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
13
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • António de Macedo
  • Writers
    • António de Macedo(screenplay and dialogue)
    • Pere Calders(based in part on a story by)
  • Stars
    • Guida Maria
    • Sinde Filipe
    • Carmen Dolores
  • Director
    • António de Macedo
  • Writers
    • António de Macedo(screenplay and dialogue)
    • Pere Calders(based in part on a story by)
  • Stars
    • Guida Maria
    • Sinde Filipe
    • Carmen Dolores
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

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    Top cast

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    Guida Maria
    • Architect's House-keeperas Architect's House-keeper
    Sinde Filipe
    Sinde Filipe
    • Architectas Architect…
    Carmen Dolores
    • Lidia, the woman with broken armas Lidia, the woman with broken arm
    Nicolau Breyner
    • Chiromantas Chiromant
    João D'Ávila
    João D'Ávila
    • Bouddhist Monkas Bouddhist Monk
    Luís Cerqueira
    • Man with the Gramophoneas Man with the Gramophone
    José Gomes
    • Guard of the Ruinsas Guard of the Ruins
    João Franco
    • Mansion's Gardeneras Mansion's Gardener
    Grece de Castro
    • Godmotheras Godmother
    Helena Isabel
    Helena Isabel
    • Singeras Singer
    Maria Helena Moedas
    • Maidas Maid
    Rosa Gonçalves
    • Cookas Cook
    Luís Monte Empina
    • Friaras Friar
    José de Carvalho
    • Pianistas Pianist
    José Anjos
    • Adriano - a Servantas Adriano - a Servant
    Adelaide João
    • Spiritism Session Attendantas Spiritism Session Attendant
    Carmen Gonzalez
    • Spiritism Session Attendantas Spiritism Session Attendant
    Eugénia Bettencourt
    • Spiritism Session Attendantas Spiritism Session Attendant
    • Director
      • António de Macedo
    • Writers
      • António de Macedo(screenplay and dialogue)
      • Pere Calders(based in part on a story by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

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    • Add full plot
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
    • Parents guide
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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The film is based in three tales by Pere Calders: El principi de la saviesa (O Princípio da Sabedoria), L'arbre domèstic (A Árvore Doméstica), and Cada u del seu ofici (A Cada Um o Seu Ofício). These and other tales had been translated and published in Portugal in the late 1950s by bilingual writer Manuel de Seabra.

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    The Principle of Wisdom
    What an amazing accomplishment! A movie filmed during the most important year of Portuguese history of the 20th century, 1974. Deeply immersed in the realms of old tales, ancient lore and spiritual practices that last to this day in the innermost regions of Portugal, The Principle of Wisdom is a cultural milestone. Herein are registered some of the most essential traits of the ancient Portuguese soul. All put in contrast with the modern man, the overworked, overambitious, over-exhausted man that is the child of the 20th century. What a clash... And it all takes place in two or three essential places: 1. the big living room of the house, where light enters colored by stained glass, that further enlightens the peculiarities of the inside of man (feelings, emotions, thoughts); 2. the garden, the most central piece of all, where things are lost, retrieved, even the unexpected, the ludicrous, the surreal... and however meaningless anything seems, when revealed through a personal lens, we come to discover purpose, fulfillment, exaltation, achievement... 3. the ruins from ancient times, where we find that the grand human tragedy is a play revolving through the centuries with a big core that remains throughout as its central piece: the human soul and its quest.

    All this said I will only add that direction and photography are excellent for the most part of the film (by the end I think it derails a little bit) and the script runs solid throughout. The acting is also very accomplished. If you ever get the chance to see it, don't miss it.
    helpful•2
    0
    • another_heavenly_world
    • Mar 7, 2013

    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 9, 1977 (Portugal)
    • Country of origin
      • Portugal
    • Language
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • O Princípio da Sabedoria
    • Filming locations
      • Palácio de Estoi, Estoi, Faro, Portugal
    • Production company
      • Tobis Portuguesa
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      2 hours 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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