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The Reckoning
2004
Set in England during the late 1300s, Paul McGuigan's THE RECKONING follows Nicholas (Paul Bettany), a young priest literally running from his past. After encountering a band of wandering actors, Nicholas is grudgingly allowed into the fold by the good-natured Martin (Willem Dafoe). When the troupe reaches an impoverished .. Read more
| Starring | Paul Bettany, Marian Aguilera, Trevor Steedman, Simon McBurney |
|---|---|
| Director | Paul McGuigan |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Reckoning
Set in England during the late 1300s, Paul McGuigan's THE RECKONING follows Nicholas (Paul Bettany), a young priest literally running from his past. After encountering a band of wandering actors, Nicholas is grudgingly allowed into the fold by the good-natured Martin (Willem Dafoe). When the troupe reaches an impoverished village, they get word of a strange murder and look into the story as the basis for a new play. However, Nicholas and Martin uncover more than they'd expected, and soon a deeper mystery emerges. Meanwhile, as Nicholas attempts to find justice, he also struggles to come to terms with his own troubled history.
A medieval murder mystery in the vein of THE NAME OF THE ROSE, THE RECKONING is based on the Barry Unsworth novel MORALITY PLAY. Under the artfully somber direction of previous collaborator McGuigan, Bettany turns in an excellent performance as a guilt-ridden priest struggling to atone for his sins. In addition to Dafoe, the film also features fine supporting actors such as Brian Cox and Gina McKee. Utilising its historical backdrop to the fullest extent, THE RECKONING immerses the audience in its medieval setting, revealing the period's many hardships and enhancing the drama of this intriguing, unfolding mystery.
| Starring | Paul Bettany, Marian Aguilera, Trevor Steedman, Simon McBurney, Tom Hardy, Brian Cox |
|---|---|
| Director | Paul McGuigan |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 52 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 16 Aug 2004 Production year: 2004 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Based on Barry Unsworth's novel Morality Play, this medieval murder-mystery play follows a troupe of travelling players that drop their religious repertoire to expose the corruption hiding under the Church's righteous protection. Paul Bettany plays a young priest on the run from an adulterous past who joins a group of itinerant actors, led by Martin (Willem Dafoe). The group wanders into a town where a woman (Elvira Minguez) has been sentenced to death for the murder a young boy. Martin's company then determines to tell the story of the killing in the form of a production for the local townsfolk. Director Paul McGuigan maintains a mood as dark as the overcast sky and the plague-ridden times, but lapses into theatricality for the finale. But, although it could never match the doomsday atmosphere of Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal, it does successfully reflect the primitive, spiritual passion of a time when God was an avenger, not a redeemer.
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A first rate cast.
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Most helpful member's review
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11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
A nice surpise
Rented this with no idea what is was about. A pleasant surprise, murder, sex, plague victims but in a convincing story. None of the usual big hollywood stars but this added to make the overall film more convincing tale.
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Carry On Young Brother Cadfael
The cast and medieval murder mystery theme intrigued me when I added this little tale of derring-do to my selection.
Willem Defoe was not quite so uncomfortable as Richard Gere appeared to be in 'First Knight', but he was brave to try and match the high standards set by Paul Bettany, Brian Cox, Matthew McFadyen, Gina McKee and the smouldering Vincent Cassel as Baron Brokeback.
Yes there were times when I would have preferred Midsomer Murders, but overall I believe that they got the Middle Ages atmosphere about right (as per Monty Python and the Holy Grail) and the pace was fine.
'Name of the Rose' was a better film, but this had some good performances, despite the odd gaff, like a Left Handed Monk. How sinister! I enjoyed it and thought that a rental was worth the money. -
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Set in England during the late 1300s, Paul McGuigan's THE RECKONING follows Nicholas (Paul Bettany), a young priest literally running from his past. After encountering a band of wandering actors, ... -