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The Name of the Rose

  • 1986
  • R
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
123K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,099
33
Sean Connery, Christian Slater, Ron Perlman, F. Murray Abraham, and Valentina Vargas in The Name of the Rose (1986)
Period DramaWhodunnitDramaMysteryThriller

An intellectually nonconformist friar investigates a series of mysterious deaths in an isolated abbey.An intellectually nonconformist friar investigates a series of mysterious deaths in an isolated abbey.An intellectually nonconformist friar investigates a series of mysterious deaths in an isolated abbey.

  • Director
    • Jean-Jacques Annaud
  • Writers
    • Umberto Eco
    • Andrew Birkin
    • Gérard Brach
  • Stars
    • Sean Connery
    • Christian Slater
    • Helmut Qualtinger
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    123K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,099
    33
    • Director
      • Jean-Jacques Annaud
    • Writers
      • Umberto Eco
      • Andrew Birkin
      • Gérard Brach
    • Stars
      • Sean Connery
      • Christian Slater
      • Helmut Qualtinger
    • 228User reviews
    • 63Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 BAFTA Awards
      • 17 wins & 6 nominations total

    Photos217

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    Top cast71

    Edit
    Sean Connery
    Sean Connery
    • William of Baskerville
    Christian Slater
    Christian Slater
    • Adso of Melk
    Helmut Qualtinger
    Helmut Qualtinger
    • Remigio de Varagine
    Elya Baskin
    Elya Baskin
    • Severinus
    Michael Lonsdale
    Michael Lonsdale
    • The Abbot
    Volker Prechtel
    Volker Prechtel
    • Malachia
    Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
    Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
    • Jorge de Burgos
    William Hickey
    William Hickey
    • Ubertino de Casale
    Michael Habeck
    Michael Habeck
    • Berengar
    Urs Althaus
    Urs Althaus
    • Venantius
    Valentina Vargas
    Valentina Vargas
    • The Girl
    Ron Perlman
    Ron Perlman
    • Salvatore
    Leopoldo Trieste
    Leopoldo Trieste
    • Michele da Cesena
    Franco Valobra
    • Jerome of Kaffa
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    • Hugh of Newcastle
    Donald O'Brien
    Donald O'Brien
    • Pietro d'Assisi
    • (as Donal O'Brian)
    Andrew Birkin
    Andrew Birkin
    • Cuthbert of Winchester
    F. Murray Abraham
    F. Murray Abraham
    • Bernardo Gui
    • Director
      • Jean-Jacques Annaud
    • Writers
      • Umberto Eco
      • Andrew Birkin
      • Gérard Brach
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews228

    7.7122.8K
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    Featured reviews

    edwardlamberti

    One of the most underrated movies of the eighties

    Umberto Eco's novel has something of a reputation as one of the great unread bestsellers. To have it on the shelf in the early eighties was a fashion statement as much as it was a literary necessity. And yet when the film was released, it was attacked for being an ineffective adaptation. Turning the 600-page novel, a detective mystery enriched by descriptions of medieval life and semiotic ruminations characteristic of Eco's academic writings, into a mainstream two-hour movie was, of course, ambitious. Four credited screenwriters and an international co-production gave off a sense of struggle and indecision. The movie was, and remains, easy to deride.

    It's true that the film, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, has to skip, or skirt, much of Eco's detail - the famous pages-long description of the doorway, for example, is acknowledged by a few camera shots - but it takes the novel's literary strengths and offers a cinematic equivalent: a vivid depiction of monastic life which thrusts the viewer into the period of the story. In this respect, the production is exemplary: cinematographer Tonino Delli Colli, art director Dante Ferretti and composer James Horner were all operating at the top of their game.

    And, as Renton in Trainspotting (1996) knows, Sean Connery proved a perfect choice as William of Baskerville, the 14th-century Sherlock Holmes figure investigating the deaths in an Italian monastery. It's one of Connery's best performances, a happy marriage of character acting and star casting: he suits the physical description of William and he properly conveys the character's wisdom, caution and sense of regret. Christian Slater's Adso, the narrator of the novel, is a surrogate for the viewer, expressing bafflement at the mystery story and awe at William's deductive powers; while F. Murray Abraham works wonders with the underwritten part of the inquisitor Bernardo Gui.

    The Name of the Rose is one of the most underrated movies of the eighties. That it wasn't brilliant should not detract from the fact that it's as good as it is.
    7Nazi_Fighter_David

    "The step between ecstatic vision and sinful frenzy is all too brief."

    The film opens in 1327, with a Franciscan monk and his young novice arriving to a remote abbey in the dark north of Italy to participate in a crucial debate between the emissaries of Pope John XXII and leaders of the Franciscan order, to decide whether the church should take vows of poverty or wealth...

    After a series of murders—attributed to the presence of a supernatural force— that are taking place within the cold walls of the godforsaken battlement, Brother William of Baskerville (Connery) ends up undertaking an investigation to solve the secrets surrounding these unexplainable crimes… All of them bearing blackened fingers and blackened tongues…

    What follows, brings William face to face with Bernardo Gui (F. Murray Abraham), the sadistic Grand inquisitor—appointed by the Pope to hunt down and free the Church of heretics—who sees the abbey enshrouded in a terrifying mystery and the devil roaming behind every foul deed… Gui burns every last suspected devil-worshipper in the village, forcing Baskerville to uncover the truth before innocent blood is shed…

    As always, Connery lends dignity, intelligence as the acute and prudent monk who has knowledge, both of the human spirit and the wiles of the evil one… Connery plays his role with gusto…

    Newcomer Christian Slater plays Connery's faithful sidekick, Adso, the youngest son of the Baron of Melk who sure does like to watch his master at work… One night—expressing fear and confusion— he gets feminine carnal delights from a peasant girl, 'a creature that rose like the dawn, was bewitching as the moon, radiant as the sun, terrible as an army poised for battle…'

    For a moment, Ron Perlman steals the show as the heretical hunchbacked monk named Salvatore who is ugly yet phenomenal… His scenes with Abraham are stirring…

    "The Name of the Rose" is atmospheric, but disturbing at many levels… Some might say, contradictory, leaving plenty of twists and turns unresolved and unexplained, but the film was a smash hit in Europe… Annaud succeeds in capturing the claustrophobia and panic of being truly lost in the menacing, creepy Dark Ages
    9MinorityReporter

    Excellent - despite the film medium's short comings!

    Der Name der Rose is by all means a great film. The story is an excellent mix of Sherlock Holmes-type crime thriller and religious criticism/commentary. I found this to be exceptional as the book was labeled as impossible to remake as a film and while the book is indeed better than the film, the film is certainly not without its charms.

    First of all the cast is pretty much perfect. Reading the book Sean Connery wasn't who I had in mind as the character but he certainly makes the character his own. His performance is for lack of a better word unique. He brings his usual indescribable something to the character which makes him almost instantly likable and believable. He delivers his lines in a confident manner that suits the character. Like in many other of his films his character is a teacher character but he does not seem to berate his pupil (Christian Slater) but allows him to grow on his own merely nudging him along. Even though not my first choice to have played the character I cannot find any other who would suit the part after seeing the film. Christian Slater plays the protagonist in what must be described as his break through character. His inexperience as an actor shows and once again suits the character who is also quite inexperienced in many ways. He portrays the change and ultimate conflicts of his character well enough and like Connery makes the character his own. Michael Lonsdale is pretty good as well and even though the character is not as well defined as in the book he provides the broad strokes in a satisfactory manner. Feodor Chaliapin Jr. does an excellent job in bringing Jorge to life and matches Connery's authority in their scenes together but once again the character is done in pretty broad strokes and you only get a small taste of what the character was like in the book. F. Murray Abraham's character is not like in the book and even though I was slightly disappointed by the film's portrayal of the character I understand why it was necessary to change the character for dramatic purposes. Ron Perlman who has since gone on to become quite a big star has a small role in this film and he does a decent job.

    The film thrives on its complex story (which is nowhere near as complex as in the book) and deep characterization of the main characters who are about as defined as characters can become without internal monologue. There is voice-over by the older version of Christian Slater's character but is basically only used in the introduction and end part of the film and at a few crucial moments. The fantastic characterization is also helped by the incredibly sharp and well written dialog which never gets boring or forced like you could have feared given the religious content. In many scenes the dialog was in fact so good that I got the chills. The film focuses mainly on the mystery elements but the religious elements of the film are somehow weaved into the overall plot but there were plenty more of these religious elements and factors in the book. Overall I think the film should have been at least 15 minutes longer to get more of these elements in but maybe thats just me. However, all the most important plot points (and a few sub-plots) are covered so in that sense the film is successful.

    Another thing that works very well is the atmosphere of the film which is very tense and mysterious. The tension is helped by the music which like so many other things in the film is quite unique and fitting. The set work is pretty simple but as it is a monastery you cannot expect the most flamboyant of sets. The sets work in their simplicity, however, and there is really no point of critique to be found in the set work. The lighting is kept at a minimum as well and once again this works in favor of the film as it adds to the overall tension. Sometimes the lighting is a little to dark but it happens so rarely that its not really a problem.

    All in all Der Name der Rose (or The Name of the Rose) is a wonderful film but what drags the film down ever so slightly is that it can some times feel a little rushed because of the amount of material it is covering and there were a few elements from the book I would have liked to have seen in the film. In general, however, the cross from book to film is very well done and the overall plot is very well depicted with many tense, frightening and interesting moments. The film is definitely one of Connery's best and it is mainly because of his performance that I am giving the film a 9 in stead of an 8

    9/10
    10mightymariner

    Flawless book, almost flawless film

    I've been enjoying films for 20 years now, and this is the first comment I've put on any film website. I've always had the mickey taken out of me for loving this film, and it's right up there amongst my favourites of a very eclectic bunch. Why? Well, firstly and I have to say, very importantly, it's taken from the finest piece of modern literature I've read. Umberto Eco's novel has such mammoth scope of subject matter and detail, it is was always going to be extremely hard to put into film (Dune anyone??), and Annaud certainly doesn't succeed in every way, but my lord he gives it a damn good go. The film quite rightly focusses on the human story within the book of a group of murders committed at an Italian abbey in the 14th Century, and the ongoing search for the purpetrator, by a Franciscan monk and his apprentice. The book encompasses many other issues and plotlines, which could not be fitted into the film. The three screenwriters do an excellent job, of filming the almost impossible to within 2 hours or so. Most importantly to me, the cinematography and set are sublime, almost unsurpassed in modern film to my mind, and still to this day amazing. I've always found that many non movie-lovers remember this film, for good or bad. The main reason for me is that it recreates so impressively the period it represents. Tonino Delli Colli, I salute you. The production team deserves a similar merit for bringing together what was in essence an European co-production, whilst not forgetting the biggest exterior set built in Europe since "Cleopatra". Step forward Dante Ferreti. I salute you too. 0.1 of a mark off for the editing, but let's not dwell on that. The acting is, bar none, marvellous, with even Christian Slater in his first main role putting up an extremely decent stab of being an apprentice monk.

    I like a good whodunnit, but I adore a whodunnit which throws in the visual magnificence of a different age, top notch performances, a script taken from a extraordinary source, and assured directing. 10 out of 10, and my mates can carry on taking the mickey out of me.

    So in summary, I'll leave it to the director himself.. `When I see a film, I love it when I'm entertained, when I care for the actors, when I share their emotions, when I'm scared, when I'm in love, but also if I learn a little something, if I have the feeling that I haven't seen something before, and that's what `The Name of the Rose' has.'
    7jimkirk-17970

    Uh Oh

    I've seen this movie several times. It's a great movie. My problem is that I watched it the other night on Prime Video and the sex scene had been edited out. For me, the sex scene is absolutely needed to understand how deep the young man's emotions run. At the end of the movie, the narrator goes on and on about the woman and he will never forget her face. She had such an impact on his life that he carried her face in his mind until his dying days. I believe the sex scene is absolutely necessary for the viewer to FULLY understand his reasoning. She caused him to leave the priesthood. Put the sex scene back in. I'm glad I own the full movie on blu ray.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sean Connery's career was at such a low point when he read for the role that Columbia Pictures refused to finance the movie when Jean-Jacques Annaud cast him as William von Baskerville.
    • Goofs
      The secret message on the parchment is exposed three times. The translator heated it to reveal the location of the library, William of Baskerville heated it again when he was in the scriptorium and yet again to show the others the message. When a message is written in lemon juice, heating it will cause it to become exposed because the sugar in the juice is caramelized and thus would not disappear again.
    • Quotes

      Adso of Melk: Master? Have you ever been in love?

      William of Baskerville: In love? Yeah, many times.

      Adso of Melk: You were?

      William of Baskerville: Yes, of course. Aristotle, Ovid, Vergil...

      Adso of Melk: No, no, no. I meant with a...

      William of Baskerville: Oh. Ah. Are you not confusing love with lust?

      Adso of Melk: Am I? I don't know. I want only her own good. I want her to be happy. I want to save her from her poverty.

      William of Baskerville: Oh, dear.

      Adso of Melk: Why "oh dear"?

      William of Baskerville: You *are* in love.

      Adso of Melk: Is that bad?

      William of Baskerville: For a monk, it does present certain problems.

      Adso of Melk: But doesn't St. Thomas Aquinas praise love above all other virtues?

      William of Baskerville: Yes, the love of God, Adso. The love of God.

      Adso of Melk: Oh... And the love of woman?

      William of Baskerville: Of woman? Thomas Aquinas knew precious little, but the scriptures are very clear. Proverbs warns us, "Woman takes possession of a man's precious soul", while Ecclesiastes tells us, "More bitter than death is woman".

      Adso of Melk: Yes, but what do you think, Master?

      William of Baskerville: Well, of course I don't have the benefit of your experience, but I find it difficult to convince myself that God would have introduced such a foul being into creation without endowing her with *some* virtures. Hmm? How peaceful life would be without love, Adso, how safe, how tranquil, and how dull.

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits read - A palimpsest of Umberto Eco's Novel The Name of the Rose
    • Alternate versions
      Certain prints of the movie have the sex scene between Adso and The Girl removed in order to comply with local laws.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Touch and Go/'Night, Mother/Blue Velvet/Where the River Runs Black (1986)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 24, 1986 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • West Germany
      • Italy
      • France
    • Languages
      • English
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • El nombre de la rosa
    • Filming locations
      • Kloster Eberbach, Eltville Am Rhein, Hessen, Germany(interiors: monastery church)
    • Production companies
      • Constantin Film
      • Cristaldifilm
      • Les Films Ariane
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • ITL 30,000,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,153,487
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $494,571
      • Sep 28, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,153,487
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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