4K Ultra HD Review – The Name of the Rose (1986)

      The Name of the Rose, 1986.

      Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud.

      Featuring Sean Connery, Christian Slater, Helmut Qualtinger, Michael Lonsdale, William Hickey, Ron Perlman, F. Murray Abraham, and Valentina Vargas.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A friar known for his intellectual independence looks into a series of enigmatic deaths at a secluded abbey.

      Picture Sean Connery as a medieval monk in the style of Columbo, delving into a string of murders at an Italian abbey, where the Abbott is portrayed by Michael Lonsdale, who once played a Bond villain (during the Roger Moore period). The residents include the eccentric William Hickey and Ron Perlman as a hunchback who communicates in nonsensical words. Add a young Christian Slater as Connery's assistant and future Hellraiser cenobite Valentina Vargas as his romantic interest, and you have the makings of an intriguing story. Coupled with Second Sight’s impeccable presentation, it definitely promises to be a hit.

      The Name of the Rose is adapted from Umberto Eco's 1980 novel, showcasing Franciscan friar William of Baskerville (Connery) and his novice Adso of Melk (Slater) as they travel across Northern Italy to a remote Benedictine abbey in the 14th century. William has been summoned to look into the death of a monk prior to a theological Church conference. The Abbott, understandably concerned about the unfolding events, finds himself further troubled as William and Adso’s inquiries lead to more fatalities, with each victim showing signs of blackened fingers and tongues, prompting the monks to explore the abbey's concealed library.

      Amid these occurrences, Adso becomes infatuated with a peasant girl (Vargas) who sneaks into the abbey for sustenance in exchange for sexual favors, and William encounters Salvatore (Perlman), a hunchback monk who mutters a term unique to a specific heretical group, intensifying William's suspicions about the ongoing events. However, the situation worsens with the looming arrival of Bernardo Gui (F. Murray Abraham) from the Inquisition, a previous adversary of William, who seeks answers regarding the murders but employs more immediate and severe methods.

      In essence, The Name of the Rose is a medieval murder mystery that intentionally refrains from providing clear or definitive answers; the resolution lacks the strength that the build-up suggests, a choice deliberately made by Umberto Eco, who admits in his book's conclusion that ‘very little is discovered.’ In many mystery films, this might present an issue, yet director Jean-Jacques Annaud has crafted such an immersive world that the experience—with William of Baskerville applying logic against the monks’ beliefs and Gui’s political machinations—becomes one you cannot easily abandon as new revelations unfold.

      Connery delivers a captivating performance as William of Baskerville, always convincingly so (despite the Scottish accent, which is part of the character), and considering it was just three years after his final portrayal of James Bond, this role demonstrated Connery's ability to be witty, confrontational, and charismatic without the need for a tuxedo or feminine charm. Despite his youthful appearance, Christian Slater convincingly plays the young apprentice monk, and his steamy love scene with Valentina Vargas (which took three days to film, according to the actor in the special features) showcases his maturity, contributing to his rising fame shortly afterward.

      However, while The Name of the Rose boasts a strong cast, stunning visuals, and engaging performances, the conclusion may evoke a feeling of ‘Is that it?’ as you reflect on the previous two hours and recognize how deliberately prolonged it was. Kudos to Jean-Jacques Annaud for maximizing the material to sustain intrigue—often considered unfilmable—the cinematic experience diverges from reading the book, where themes resonate differently, leaving the movie ending lacking the impactful finish it deserves.

      Nonetheless, The Name of the Rose stands as a commendable religious thriller that likely warrants reevaluation in today’s HD era. Second Sight has again excelled in presenting the film, complete with a wealth of extras: new interviews with Christian Slater, Ron Perlman, writer Andrew Birkin, and director Jean-Jacques Annaud; an archival audio commentary by Annaud; a new commentary by filmmaker James Marsh; and The Abbey of Crime: Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose, a historical German TV documentary exploring the film's background. The film itself looks marvelous, showcasing a pristine image, and the new box artwork by Liza Shumskaya is nothing short of breathtaking, making this release yet another accomplishment for the label.

      As a film, The Name of the Rose may not be as accessible as a popcorn thriller like The Da Vinci Code, but it is worth your time, if only for