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From: Jaclyn Suggs
Date: 11/8/99
Time: 4:27:46 PM
Remote Name: 63.65.255.234
I thought that the movie was a well done, accurate depiction of the novel. Of course, since it wants to appeal to a movie watching audience, it mostly focused on the murder aspect of the novel. In the novel, the most prevalent religious issue was the subject of poverty in the church. In the movie, however, the issue is not emphasized nearly as much. The first reference to poverty is said by William. As he watches the abbey throw scraps to the peasants, he sarcastically comments, "another generous donation from the church to the poor". The only other prevalent reference to poverty was when the meeting of the clergy was held. While the book devoted a long chapter to this scene, the movie underplayed it. The speeches served as background noise while the book was found, and the arguments were a series of incomprehensible shouting matches. The Dolcinites and their slaughtering of the rich clergy was brought up, and Remigio curses the church before he is carried away. The movie did not do a wonderful job conveying the religious issues, but it is understandable. Like I pointed out before, this movie emphasized the murder mystery in order to gain a wider audience. Not many people would watch two hours of a fight about poverty in the church.