La Papessa
Directed by:
Sönke WortmannCinematography:
Tom FährmannComposer:
Marcel BarsottiCast:
Johanna Wokalek, David Wenham, John Goodman, Iain Glen, Edward Petherbridge, Anatole Taubman, Lotte Flack, Jördis Triebel, Oliver Cotton, Nicholas Woodeson (more)Plots(1)
Her existence was a secret. Her name was deleted from the books of history. Yet the life of Joan - who led the Catholic Church under the name of Pope John Anglicus in the 9th century - has become a legend. Joan was born in 814 A.D. She rebels against a predestined and constraining path for her as a woman early in her young life. She is convinced God has planned a different destiny for her. Ultimately she falls in love with the nobleman Gerold (David Wenham). While he goes to war she bethinks her inner voice joins a Benedictine monastery disguised as a man under the name of John. She becomes a physician goes to Rome where she wins the favour of the Holy Father (John Goodman) and thus rises ever higher in the ecclesiastical hierarchy. (Eagle Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (2)
A historical epic, conceived on a truly grand scale thanks to European co-production, which must be acknowledged. Moreover, the story chose an interesting legend/historical fact about the only woman who ever sat on the papal throne. If it's true — and historians say it's not — it's probably not that important, because this is a film that will make an impact regardless. Plus, there are some familiar faces in the film.
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As a romanticised bedtime story for Christian girls it is passable, but as a worthy tale about one of Europe's most interesting religious legends it is severely lacking. I actually don’t understand why they would adapt this material in the style of Angelique: The Road to Versailles.
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