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The Reckoning Details

2004 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 2248 members

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 Certificate 15
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 16 Aug 2004
Production year: 2004
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (2) of The Reckoning

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    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.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • A first rate cast.

    • Daily Express
    • Posted 11 Mar 2005

  • Most helpful member's review of The Reckoning

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  • 11 out of 11 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    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.

      • A customer from Worcester England
      • Posted 28 Sep 2004 17:44

  • Most recent members' review of The Reckoning

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  • 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    Our Man Bettany

    I knew nothing about this film when I chose it. Not often I do that. Willam Defoe I believe can often be a top rate actor but sometimes it all just falls apart. I have to say, from the minute he opened his mouth - his performance was just hidden behind an accent that I still really can't identify. I just know that every time he attempted the word Durham it made me cringe.

    Anyway, that aside, this is actually a reasonable film. Paul Bettany is very good. Although the confession at the end is a little ham fisted. The Kings Justice flitting in and out seem to serve no particular purpose and Vincent Cassel just hovers in the background, not quite menacingly enough as all he seems to do is look out of the window a lot. Gina McKee her usual quiet self. Okay, its not great, but its above average. For a night in, you could do a lot lot worse. Of course you could do better but this is worth slumming it for a couple of hours.

      • Colbygirl from London
      • Posted 18 Sep 2004 12:31

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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, ...