The Nun and the Devil

Original title: Le monache di Sant'Arcangelo

1973
R
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

5.3/10

609

YOUR RATING

Ornella Muti, Anne Heywood, and Luc Merenda in The Nun and the Devil (1973)

Period Drama Drama Horror

During the 1570s, in the convent of Sant'Arcangelo di Baiano, after the death of the mother superior, a power struggle rages on, as one nun, who comes from a powerful family, is willing to d... Read allDuring the 1570s, in the convent of Sant'Arcangelo di Baiano, after the death of the mother superior, a power struggle rages on, as one nun, who comes from a powerful family, is willing to do anything to become the new abbess.During the 1570s, in the convent of Sant'Arcangelo di Baiano, after the death of the mother superior, a power struggle rages on, as one nun, who comes from a powerful family, is willing to do anything to become the new abbess.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.3/10

609

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
The opening credits state that the movie is 'Based on authentic 16th Century records and a story by STENDHAL'.

Quotes
Carafo: And the Lord pardon us for the pain we have inflicted in the church's name.

Alternate versions
Restored version: Argent Films DVD release as The Nun And The Devil is the longest available version at 99min 20 secs (in PAL): it is re-edited from Italian masters materials with an English soundtrack.

Connections
Featured in The Real Blue Nuns (2006)

User reviews16

Review

Featured review

"Make Her Admit It! In Obedience To God!"...

THE NUN AND THE DEVIL, in spite of its sensationalized title, is a decent film about the corruption, greed, and treachery within a 16th Century convent, as well as the Church at large. When the Mother Superior dies, Mother Giulia (Anne Heywood) will stop at nothing to fill the position herself.

While the movie does contain some obligatory nudity, secret liaisons, and self-torture, it's mostly about the politics and competition between the religious devotees involved. The real gruesomeness is saved for the last act, when an inquisition does its work, and confessions are sought. Up until then, this is a fairly mild example of its subgenre.

So, don't expect rampant debauchery or wall-to-wall sadism, and prepare instead for a solid indictment of religious pomposity and hypocrisy. Mother Giulia's final speech is well worth the wait...