Stealing Heaven (1988)

In medieval Paris, a young religious scholar and the beautiful niece of a local patrician fall madly in love and consummate their passion for each other. In the religious uproar that follows, they are condemned and brutally punished.

Director:

Clive Donner

Writers:

Chris Bryant, Marion Meade (novel)

Stars:

Derek de Lint, Kim Thomson, Denholm Elliott

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Derek de Lint	...	Abelard
Kim Thomson	...	Heloise
Denholm Elliott	...	Fulbert
Bernard Hepton	...	Bishop
Kenneth Cranham	...	Suger
Patsy Byrne	...	Agnes
Cassie Stuart	...	Petronilla
Philip Locke	...	Poussin
Victoria Burgoyne	...	Prostitute
Antonia Cutic	...	Landlady
Diana Belinic	...	Girl in street
Davor Fejzagic	...	Boy in street
Mark Jax	...	Jourdain
Timothy Watson	...	François (as Tim Watson)
Andrew H. McLean	...	Gerard (as Andrew McLean)

Storyline

Abelard, a respected philosopher and teacher in 12th-century Paris, is hired to tutor the intelligent and beautiful Heloise. They soon fall in love, but must hide their affection because Abelard is sworn to celibacy.

---

Plot Keywords:

male star appears shirtless | bare chested male | male full frontal nudity | male pubic hair | male nudity | 

---

Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The following actors were seen for various roles, Patrick Drury Maurice Thorogood Clive Francis and Michael Siberry.

---

Goofs

In the construction montage towards the end of the movie, you can see an altar with a number of pumpkins on it. As a plant native to North America there wouldn't be any in 12th century Europe.

---

Alternate Versions

UK cinema and video prints were cut for a '15' rating.

---

Connections

Spoofed in Tropic Thunder (2008)

---

Soundtracks

Trumpet Call
(uncredited)
Music by Hubert d'Auriol
De Wolfe Music Ltd

User Reviews

Touching and visually stunning

This romance is based on the real story of two lovers separated by the Catholic Church but bound by their hearts.

Set in Paris during the building of Notre Dame, young Heloise is brought from a convent to live with her uncle, a solicitor for the cathedral building fund. Heloise is well-educated and spirited, a dangerous combination for a woman in this time. She meets Master Abelard, a teacher at the cathedral and they fall in love despite his vow of celibacy.

The scandal of their love explodes when Heloise becomes pregnant.

The sets and costume are quite convincing--if only the actors sounded more French than English.

This is one of my favorite films despite the fact I have a book of some of Abelard's writings in which he displays a near-contempt for Heloise and those around him. A far cry from Derek de Lint's character.

Details

Country:

UK Yugoslavia

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 1989 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Abelard i Heloiza

Filming Locations:

Yugoslavia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amy International Artists, FilmDallas Pictures, Jadran Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min (uncut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1