The Monk (1972)

Simply A Masterpiece

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

I finally got hold of a copy of this film after searching for it for ages! I have to say this film version is better than I expected. I was sometimes reminded of The Devils by Russell, although I consider that a superior film. The Monk is one of my favourite books, I love its lurid, intricate plot. Of course here not everything has been brought on the screen from the book, I guess a mini series could be better suited to do that. The omission of several characters with their secret connections suddenly coming to light, took away one of the features I enjoyed the most of the book, however I think Natalie Delon was perfectly suited to play Mathilda, she is exactly how I imagined her from the book. Antonia is also well portrayed. While I think physically Franco Nero suits the role of Ambrosio very well, I don' t know, I found his performance a bit uninspired in certain scenes. Maybe the character of such a weak, corrupted man, did not suit his acting abilities? I also found the final scene, when you see Ambrosio as pope in modern times, very random. I prefer the book' s final scene. Overall though I enjoyed the film and will probably watch it again in some time.

Extraordinary film that I didn't even know existed. I always new that Bunuel had wanted to make this film and had heard that he had scripted it, but that the Greek, Adonis Kyrow, a writer on surrealism, had actually got it together in 1972 comes as a revelation. it has, of course to turn out to be a bit of a let down but certainly has a lot going for it. It stars, Franco Nero, Nathalie Delon and Nicol Williamson and all are fine, Nero has been criticised but i thought it a strong performance, Delon too, although maybe she looked just a little too gorgeous, especially if she has been mistaken for a guy and Williamson is a delight, although he just might be sending up the proceedings! Extreme and without a shred of morality, this is a major attack upon the notion of self sacrifice, the supposed wonders of chastity and all of organised religion, the Catholic Church in particular. My print, in English was a little dark and erratic quality dub but is so different a film, so startlingly Sadean that it is an essential view for anyone interested in film on the edge.

There is a fascinating movie waiting to be made from The Monk the classic 18th Century Gothic novel by Matthew Lewis,but neither this ,nor a subsequent remake starring Paul McCann is it.It tells of the downfall of the devout Ambrosio,who fulminates about sins of the flesh in hellfire and brimstone sermons only to be seduced by a sorceress masquerading as a monk From there its an out of control libido,leading to murder and fornication and the attentions of the Inquisition.Oh,and there is a cannibalistic nobleman played in archly camp style by Nicol Williamson,who appears to be subtly sending it all up It really is a dreadful mess and I can't help but feel it was edited down from a longer original because at times its incoherent Franco Nero is dull,and upon the inadequacies of the other cast members I will not dwell,since I am in charitable mood Its a powerful book and it cries out for some director to adapt it for the cinema with the respect it merits

This defies description. It is like Branded to Kill, in that it is so unlike anything else you have ever seen, it compels you just to watch it. Nicol Williamson gives a dazzling performance as a cannibalistic nobleman, the inquisition make a surprise appearance, sex and black magic how can it go wrong. It is hard to take this film seriously, ie when the monk makes a confession. What does it all mean, who know? It seems anti clerics, in that the clerics seem to be even more repugnant than the devil worshipping villains, who at least seem to be enjoying themselves. Watch and enjoy.