Review of The Name of the Rose (1986) by Nathaniel M — 30 Jul 2011

"A Story of Unholy Murder" in a Monastery, no less.

A Murder Mystery in the 14th century to be solved by a Investigator/Franciscan Monk, William of Baskerville, played by Sean Connery at his most intense.A very young Christian Slater plays his impressionable apprentice Monk,Adson von Melk.Amazing & memorable performance by Ron Perlman as Salvatore the Hunchbacked Monk wrongly accused & convicted by means of a torture acquired confession.Some of these Monks are really rather Creepy, & there are Homosexual undertones that I'm sure upset the Catholic Church when this Dark Murder Mystery made it's Debut in 1986.Christian Slater has some Inappropriate Monk sex with "The Girl", who comes out of no where, & in his inexperience, thinks he loves her.There is a Cruel Inquisitor(F.Murray Abraham), that seems to enjoy jumping to bizarre conclusions of Witchcraft, & administering Sadistic Methods to acquire confessions. All of which is what makes this Movie so Edge of your Seat!!!! Performances by the entire cast are exceptional, & Academy Award Worthy, & drive this Story of Murder & Secrets.I don't remember hearing anything about a Catholic Boycot of this Film, but I gotta say, this Catholic School Girl enjoyed it more WITH the Catholic Guilt.