Stealing Heaven
| Stealing Heaven | |
|---|---|
 Original movie poster | |
| Directed by | Clive Donner |
| Written by | Marion Meade (historical novel) Chris Bryant, screenplay |
| Produced by | Andros Epaminondas Simon MacCorkindale Susan George |
| Starring | Derek de Lint Kim Thomson Denholm Elliott |
| Music by | Nick Bicât |
| Distributed by | Rank Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 115 minutes (Director's Cut) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Stealing Heaven is a 1988 film directed by Clive Donner and starring Derek de Lint, Kim Thomson and Denholm Elliott. It is a costume drama based on the French 12th century medieval romance (a true story) of Peter Abelard and Héloïse and on a historical novel by Marion Meade. This was Donner's final theatrical film, before his death on 7 September 2010.
Plot
Peter Abelard is a famous teacher of philosophy at the cathedral school of Notre Dame, and a champion of reason. At a time when academics are required to observe chastity, he falls in love with one of his students, Héloïse d'Argenteuil, a sixteen-year-old gentlewoman raised in a convent, who has both intellectual curiosity and a rebellious view of the low status of women in 12th century Europe.
When the relationship is suspected, Heloise's uncle Fulbert, who had other plans for her marriage, works with the bishop of Paris to put a stop to it.[1] Nevertheless, Abelard and Heloise pursue their relationship; they make love in her bed and also within a barn (they are overheard by a peasant girl when they come) and eventually have a child and later are secretly married. Abelard struggles with himself for acting against the will of God by loving Heloise. Her uncle takes a terrible revenge on Abelard for ruining Heloise's chances of an advantageous match.[2]
Cast
- Derek de Lint as Peter Abelard
- Kim Thomson as Heloise d'Argenteuil
- Denholm Elliott as Fulbert
- Bernard Hepton as Bishop
- Kenneth Cranham as Suger
- Rachel Kempson as Prioress
- Mark Jax as Jourdain
- Angela Pleasence as Sister Cecilia
- Timothy Watson as François
- Patsy Byrne as Agnes
- Victoria Burgoyne as Prostitute
- Philip Locke as Poussin
- Cassie Stuart as Petronilla
- Andrew McLean as Gerard
- Thomas Lockyer as Thomas
- Mark Audley as Luke
- Kai Dominic as Paul
- Miki Hewitt as Sister Claire
- Yvonne Bryceland as Baroness Lamarck
- Vjenceslav Kapural as Baron Lamarck
- Ivo Husnjak as Gaston Lamarck
- Jeremy Hawk as Ancient Priest
- Moniek Kramer as Jeanne
- Drago Mitrovic as Priest
- Zvonimir Ferencic as Bishop
- Eugen Marcelic as Astrolabe
- Lela Simecki as Sister Therese
Crew
- Andros Epaminondas, Producer
- Susan George, Executive Producer
- Simon MacCorkindale, Producer
- Clive Donner, Director
- Chris Bryant, Screenplay
- Marion Meade, novel
See also
References
- ^ Stealing Heaven at answers.com
- ^ Stealing Heaven, the Story at derekdelintfansite.com
External links
- 1988 films
- 1980s biographical drama films
- 1988 independent films
- 1988 romantic drama films
- 1980s historical films
- British historical films
- British biographical drama films
- British independent films
- British romantic drama films
- British films
- English-language films
- Films directed by Clive Donner
- Films set in Paris
- Films set in the 12th century
- Films about educators
- Films based on American novels
- Drama films based on actual events
- Romance films based on actual events