The Abbey of Crime: Umberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose' (1986)

Original Title: Die Abtei des Verbrechens: Umberto Ecos „Der Name der Rose“ wird verfilmt

A German TV documentary that chronicles the daily rehearsals, the filming and all the behind the scenes of Jean-Jacques Annaud's classic "The Name of the Rose". From actors perspectives to the ideas used by the director to produce an impeccable international epic adaptation of Umberto Eco's best selling novel, the film presents the obstacles behind the creation of a production of such large scale and also the making of the many difficult scenes, most of the ones presented here are the characters' murders inside the mysterious abbey.

Introduction
"The Abbey of Crime: Umberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose'" is a 1986 film adaptation of the renowned unique "The Name of the Rose" authored by Umberto Eco. Jean-Jacques Annaud directed the motion picture, which stars Sean Connery and Christian Slater. The film is a gripping murder mystery and intellectual thriller embeded in a 14th-century Italian abbey.

Plot Overview
The film follows William of Baskerville (Sean Connery), a Franciscan monk with sharp detective skills, and his young apprentice, Adso (Christian Slater), who come to a Benedictine abbey in Italy to participate in a doctrinal disagreement. On arrival, they end up being embroiled in fixing a series of weird, graphic murders. These murders appear to revolve around the abbey's rich library, which houses unusual and important manuscripts. As the secret unwinds, it appears that the murders replicate the symbolic punishments of hell described in the Book of Revelation.

Characters and Performances
Sean Connery's gravitas and cerebral charisma offer weight to his character while likewise capturing the audience's attention. Christian Slater's efficiency as the ignorant Adso, who acts as the audience's perspective, includes balance to their dynamic. The film likewise includes notable performances from experienced stars such as Michael Lonsdale, F. Murray Abraham, and Ron Perlman.

Design and Atmosphere
The movie stands apart for its exact art direction and set style, successfully recreating the atmosphere of a middle ages abbey. The dirty chambers, labyrinthine library, and rustic landscapes energetically bring the duration to life. Cinematography plays a considerable role in the film, with a variety of suspenseful and atmospheric shots.

Symbolism and Themes
The movie handles considerable themes such as the clash between faith and rationality, power and its abuse, and the significance of knowledge. The abbey, run under rigorous spiritual rules, symbolizes the dispute between religious beliefs's dogma and the pursuit of understanding. The library's maze structure signifies the requiring journey to acquire knowledge.

Reception
The movie was appreciated for its genuine representation of medieval life and its complex story, despite some criticism for deviating from the source material. Regardless, Connery and Slater's performances were highly appreciated, and Annaud's instructions was commended.

Conclusion
In summary, "The Abbey of Crime: Umberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose'" is a visually sensational and thought-provoking medieval thriller. It integrates historic religious conflicts with a spooky murder secret. The film's captivating performances, attention to detail, and reflection of historic themes have guaranteed its status as a timeless regardless of its departure from Umberto Eco's original book to match the cinematic medium.

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