Review of The Name of the Rose (1986) by Stuart K — 30 Dec 2012

Based upon Umberto Eco's allegedly "unfilmable" 1980 novel. French director Jean-Jacques Annaud (The Bear (1988), Seven Years in Tibet (1997) and Enemy at the Gates (2001)), creates a visually dark but beautiful whodunnit, with a brilliant cast and some staggering production design too. It might not have won Eco's approval, but it works for the screen. Set in a Benedictine Abbey in Northern Italy in 1327, unconformist monk William of Baskerville (Sean Connery), is asked by the Abbot (Michael Lonsdale) to help solve a murder which has occured on the eve of an important conference. He and his apprentice Adso of Melk (Christian Slater) investigate the murder, but to complicate matters, more deaths start occuring throughout the abbey. The murder looks like a suicide, but William concludes that it's not, and he's aided by deformed hunchback Salvatore (Ron Perlman), who reveals little bits in broken languages which is enough to pique William's suspicion. Then the Inquisition led by Bernardo Gui (F. Murray Abraham) arrives, and takes matters into his own hands, but not before William enters the restricted library, which the monks of the abbey have forbidden him from enterting. It's a very dark and very grotesque film, but it's well shot, and director Annaud gets good performances from his actors, the result is one of Connery's better roles, plus, the sets designed by the great Dante Ferretti and costumes by Gabriella Pescucci are mind-blowing and very authentic.

Based upon Umberto Eco's allegedly "unfilmable" novel. Director Jean-Jacques Annaud creates a visually dark but beautiful whodunnit. Set in a Benedictine Abbey in the 14th Century, unconformist monk William of Baskerville (Sean Connery), is asked to help solve a murder which has occured on the eve of an important conference. He and his apprentice Adso of Melk (Christian Slater), investigate the murder, but to complicate matters, more deaths start occuring throughout the abbey. It's a very dark and very grotesque film, but it's well shot, and director Annaud gets good performances from his actors, (one of Connery's better roles), plus, the sets designed by the great Dante Ferretti are mind-blowing and very authentic. Oh, and look out for a cameo from a young Ron Perlman, as the demented hunchback Salvatore. ;).