Review of The Name of the Rose (1986) by Marcus W — 22 Feb 2016

Jean-Jacques Annaud's provocative, fascinating medieval murder mystery which is brilliantly adapted from the late great Umberto Eco's best-selling novel. Sir Sean Connery delivers a masterful performance as the wily Brother William of Baskerville, a Franciscan noncomformist Monk of great intellect and dignity, Connery lends his commanding presence and his great voice to this compelling role which is one of the finest performances of his legendary career, he along with his novice Adso, played by young Christian Slater in a impressive performance, arrive at the secluded mountain top 14th century Benedictine Abbey for a religious conference, but soon after a series of mysterious murders begin, where all the victims have blackened fingers and blackened tongues, many of the monks fear it is the work of the devil or the coming of the apocalypse.

Aldo is approaching his sexual and intellectual awakening, he is the narrator of the film who expresses bafflement at the deadly mystery at the ancient Abbey, and is at awe of Brother William's deductive powers.

Brother William who has a great penchant for sleuthing is asked to investigate these strange killings, but nothing is what it seems to be. Astute direction by Jecques Annud who does an amazing job of transporting us back to a primitive dark time in the world, where fear and primal emotions rule.

This moody epic thriller was actual filmed at a 12th century monastery. There are tremendous supporting performances by F. Murray Abraham, Feodor Chaliapin Jr., the late William Hickey, Michael Lonsdale, Ron Perlman, and the beautiful Valentina Vargas, who has a very memorable sexual seduction scene with Christain Slater that is very hot indeed.

Magnificent cinematography by Tonino Delli Colli and a haunting score by the late great James Horner. An atmospheric and engrossing motion picture. Highly Recommended.