The Name Of The Rose - Special Edition

Adapted from renowned Italian historian Umberto Eco's first novel and set in a medieval Italian monastary, this movie has all the suspense of a modern whodunnit but set against an authentic looking backdrop of the time it was set. It also deals with the issues of the time highlighting the depravity and hypocracy which goes some way to explaining modern society's attitude towards religion in general.

Excellent performance from Sean Connery as the highly intelligent detective Monk and an equally good early performance from a young Christian Slater as the eager, willing and humanly flawed pupil to Sean Connery's wise teacher. Worth every penny and good value for money.

Having never seen this film i stumbled accross it on here the other week and after reading rave reviews decided to purchase it.
All i can say is what a wise decesion i made,Firstly the performances Sean Connery is excellent as the sleuthing monk who sets out to solve the case and prove this isnt the work of the devil,A very young Christian Slater gives a stellar performance as the young monk who learns from his master but is also confused about his calling and his feelings towards a local peasent girl,Also look out for Ron Pearlman of Hellboy fame in a role as a heritic hunchback.
The film is beautifully set in an Italian monestry that looks like it is straight out of the 14th century,The film is an excellent twist on a murder mystrey as it is set in the 14th century and the blame is placed upon the devil Connery quickly goes to work to prove that the murderer is of flesh and blood.A truly excellent film that is well acted and directed fully deserves more praise than it got upon its release for this price if you like a good murder mystrey then i highly recomended this film to you.

I watched this film some years ago on tv and have looked out for it ever since. A constant admirer of Sean Connery over the years in all sorts of roles, he pulls his character acting off well in this very different role with enduring quality. The character of Cadfael performed by the venerable actor Derek Jacobi also played a medieval detective and always held my attention in high esteem as a sleuthing monk but whereas Cadfael uses age old herbs and flowers to help him solve his murder mysteries, Connery uses good old fashioned instinct and observations whilst a young Christian Slater in the supporting role follows his methods as his student companion. The story has brilliant sets and the layout of the monastry library in the story is intriguing. The supporting cast brings the story to life and depicts the life and times of the monks and their surfs in habitat against the backdrop of the rich and powerful catholic church at that point in history together with the all governing cruel Spanish Inquisition which all too often inflicted torture and death on its innocent victims.

A good story told well and acted superbly. A must for Connery fans and detective story lovers.

Connery never ceases to perform well in any film he makes and I have added this film to my library of his films for many more enjoyable hours viewing.

'Variety' got it completely wrong when they called this film "sorrowfully mediocre" and "sluggishly staged". For in all honesty The Name of the Rose is one of the greatest films of the '80s, and a film that grows in greatness every time you revisit it. Based on a major bestselling novel by Umberto Eco, the film is an excellent murder mystery further heightened by its authentic period trappings and a clutch of tremendous performances.

Brother William of Baskerville (Sean Connery) and his young apprentice Adso (Christian Slater) are monks who arrive in a 14th Century monastery having been summoned for a religious conference. Soon after their arrival, a series of bloodthirsty murders take place and the friars still alive begin to fear that either the Apocalypse is upon them, or a highly disturbed individual is out to bump them off. Brother William has a penchant for sleuthing, so he probes into the mysterious deaths and discovers that each victim had laid his eyes upon a Greek manuscript hidden deep within the interior of the monastery. He gradually realises that the killer must be targeting those who know of the book's existence, but just as he is about to solve the killings an inquisitor (F. Murray Abraham) arrives and tries to discredit Brother William's theories, preferring to blame the crimes on non-existent heretics and satanists.

The film is very realistic in every way - the cold, uncomfortable monastery; the graphic murders; grotesque and disfigured characters; a startlingly explicit sex scene; authentic-sounding dialogue; excellent indoor and outdoor locations; and well-researched costume designs. Furthermore, it is a superbly paced film, never in too great a hurry to unravel but never so slow that it becomes a plod. Connery is great as the hero, surpassed only by Abraham in a breathtaking role as Bernardo Gui the inquisitor, and Slater does well considering his tender age as the loyal apprentice. Both Roy Scheider and Michael Caine were short-listed for the Connery role, but I don't see how either actor could've done better with the character. Jean Jacques Annaud directs outstandingly, capturing every shadow, every expression and every plot piece with the eye that only a director obsessed with his material possibly can. The Name of the Rose makes the top #50 of the 1980s without question

This was an under rated film. Critics gave low reviews but if you like a good murder mystery then this film is a must. Sean Connery and Christian Slater both did excellent in this film!