Agnes of God (1985)

When a naive novice nun is discovered with a dead newborn in her convent quarters, a court-appointed psychiatrist investigates her case.

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

John Pielmeier (screenplay), John Pielmeier (play)

Stars:

Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft, Meg Tilly

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jane Fonda	...	Doctor Martha Livingston
Anne Bancroft	...	Mother Miriam Ruth
Meg Tilly	...	Sister Agnes
Anne Pitoniak	...	Dr. Livingston's Mother
Winston Rekert	...	Detective Langevin
Gratien Gélinas	...	Father Martineau
Guy Hoffmann	...	Justice Joseph Leveau (as Guy Hoffman)
Gabriel Arcand	...	Monsignor
Françoise Faucher	...	Eve LeClaire
Jacques Tourangeau	...	Eugène Lyon
Janine Fluet	...	Sister Marguerite
Deborah Grover	...	Sister Anne
Michele George	...	Sister Susanna
Samantha Langevin	...	Sister Jeannine
Jacqueline Blais	...	Sister David Marie

Storyline

When a dead newborn is found, wrapped in bloody sheets, in the bedroom wastebasket of a young novitiate, psychiatrist Martha Livingston is called in to determine if the seemingly innocent novice, who knows nothing of sex or birth, is competent enough to stand trial for the murder of the baby. While searching for the answer that her supervisors want, Dr. Livingston finds herself inevitably drawn into searching for the truth about the baby's conception and death. Despite the lack of cooperation that she receives from her own organization and the church itself, she eventually discovers more than she may have bargained for.

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Plot Keywords:

watching tv | reference to the hindenburg | psychiatrist | novice | convent | 

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Taglines:

That night, murder wasn't the only sin.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Agnes of God" began shooting in Montreal on October 27, 1984. The extensive location work incorporated many Montreal landmarks including the Bibliotheque Nationale, the Cathedral Mary Queen of the World, the Montreal Archives at Hount Royal, the Ministrere des Affairs Culturelles and the Hotel de Ville de Montreal.

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Quotes

Sister Agnes: I feel as if I've eaten glass.

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Connections

Referenced in Striptease (1996)

User Reviews

Interesting drama

I find it odd that I have never heard of this film before tonight. Sure, I was only a child when it was released, but since the film has many good qualities I would have thought I'd heard about it anyway. "Agnes of God" is a very interesting drama about a nun who, apparently, has murdered her new-born child. Meg Tilly is sensational as Agnes! I've never been more impressed by her. The film is even quite suspenseful at times and you have a lot to think about after the movie has ended. The cinematography is great (which is no surprise when Sven Nykvist is involved) and the score is beautiful. "Agnes of God" is a very good film.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Latin

Release Date:

27 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Agnes of God

Filming Locations:

Rockwood Academy - 477 Main Street South, Rockwood, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$221,552, 15 September 1985

Gross USA:

$25,627,836

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$25,627,836

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Delphi IV Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1