Rent Anchoress (1993)
3.4 of 5 from 57 ratings
1h 44min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Christopher Eccleston, Pete Postlethwaite and Toyah Willcox star in this sensual tale of religious conflict, in which a young girl's transcendental vision threatens to upset the foundations of her community. Inspired by records of the real Anchoress of Shere who was voluntarily walled up in a tiny cell adjoining a church, the film vividly evokes life in a remote Medieval village and explores the gulf between patriarchal power and female rebellion.
- Actors:
- Natalie Morse, Gene Bervoets, Toyah Willcox, Pete Postlethwaite, Christopher Eccleston, Michael Pas, Brenda Bertin, Annette Badland, Veronica Quilligan, Julie T. Wallace, Ann Way, François Beukelaers, Jan Decleir, David Boyce, Mieke De Groote
- Directors:
- Chris Newby
- Producers:
- Paul Breuls, Ben Gibson
- Writers:
- Judith Stanley-Smith, Christine Watkins
- Studio:
- BFI Video
- Genres:
- Drama
- Collections:
- A Brief History of Films About Nuns, A Brief History of Film...
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Reviews (2) of Anchoress
Watch it if possible - Anchoress review by SB
This black and white film, set in a bleak setting which appears European rather than English, invites comparisons both with 'The Seventh Seal' and in particular the much less well-known film 'The Navigator', in its unflinching and austere treatment of medieval faith, which for good or ill permeated every aspect of life. Natalie Morris is very good as the teenaged anchoress; it's never clear whether she is genuinely a visionary or just on to a good thing. Toyah Willcox does well as her angry mother. In a role well before he became famous, Christopher Ecclestone radiates power and bafflement in equal measurement as the village priest (the budget was evidently tight as the village itself never appears, just a church in the middle of nowhere and a few larger buildings where needed). Dialogue is sparse but this together with the action convey the story well enough.
Once again the blurb deceives – a 'sensual tale of religious conflict' it is not - although there is a short and somewhat hazy scene of bestiality in its proper meaning.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Truly original from a lost filmmaker - Anchoress review by AER
Director Chris Newby only made two films to my knowledge - this and the weird and wonderful LGBTQ+ curio Madagascar Skin. Why he didn't go on to becoming one of the UK's leading filmmakers in the vein of Terence Davies is unknown. This tale of an anchoress in the East of England is full of amazing imagery, stunning sound work, and interesting / appropriate performances. A superb cast led by Natalie Morse (not sure who she is), Christopher Eccleston, Toyah Willcox, Pete Postlethwaite, Eugene Bervoets (from The Vanishing!!!), Julie T Walllace (She Devil), and Annette Badland, this is very memorable and haunting. See it if you can, there's not many films like this one.
9 out of 10 - Bewitching.
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