Benedetta [Blu-ray]

Not going to give to much away, but this had me thinking about so many things (Spoilers).... My mother was a devout Christian, and I knew she would be offended by the nudity. But having said that, she really believed in her Lord jesus, she became a Sunday school teacher back decades back. Benedetta is not a film you expect from Verhoven, more like "toal Recall" and "Starship troopers". This is something else that you have to consider many facets of human and mental issues, along with deep rooted religeos beliefs, that may have you considering parts of your own faith. There is much in this that actually portrays certain individuals that have been touched by the hand of of God, namely the marks seen from wounds on hands and feet from his cruxification. Virginia Efira plays the part of Benedetta, so we'll, you have to give her credit in being so beliable that she sees visions of and Jesus together in scenes. She seems to be special, but suffers pscho - sexual scenes reminisant of Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) from the series of Penny Dreadful comes to mind. But she believes truly she meets Jesus, and her love from him, and some teaching was quite profound. The clergy at the time in 17th Century was quite different to today, Convents were almost like sanitoriams then. Charlotte Rampling played an epic part in this. Its a film full of ideological beliefs, A time when The plague was decimating villages and large cities. Superstition and fear is a big part of this. The forbidden relationship between benadetta and her friend, is paramount to the film, and is largely about both of them confessing their sins or lying , but not at any cost to be burnt at the stake. This is a must see film, I found the arrival of the comet greatly increased my own feelings. Its well known even today, Comets have been linked to great disasters that are known to prelude a major upheaval to what may transpire. Altogether one of the most astouding religious type of film, that delves into the very soul of your body. Is Benadetta a fake, or is she truly a messenger.? Her lesbian feelings of course do not bide well with the Lords commandments, but she has a very clever way of replacing sex with a love for her sister born from jesus. Do try and watch it, it's heavy, it's has some violance but generally it's about the authenticity of this remarkable nun, in different states of mind. Which stand out and make you aware of what you personally feel about your own faiths and teachings. Now to get the Bluray set from Amazon. Can't wait to have a boxed set.... Recomended but for adults only, teens probably wouldn't understand the workings and wording used. 5******

Wasn't really sure about this one, originally ordered on 4k I decided littlebenefit would be gained by buying on that format so switched to Blu-ray.I don't often buy sub-titled films but given some of the write-ups regardingthis loosely true story, thought it worth a spin.Its a harsh story of the brutality and indeed ignorance of the church back inthe 17th century when torture was often used to obtain a confession thatsuited their purpose.The story tells of how a young girl Benedetta Carlini (played when older by(Daphne Patakia )is given shelter at the convent to become a novice.She is directed through the early years by Mother Abbess Felicita (CharlotteRampling)Benedetta finds the rulings difficult at first but grows into the way of the order.A young woman is later taken into the convent Bartolomea (Daphne Patakia )after suffering abuse from her father and brother for protection, and tobecome a noviceMeanwhile Benedetta has frequent dreams of meeting Jesus, and eventuallyseemingly showing the injuries he received nailed to the cross (Stigmata)Mother Abbess directs the novice Bartolomea to share a room to watch overthe troubled nun.The stigmata will be investigated by representatives from Rome to verifyauthenticity.Meanwhile, Benedetta and the young Bartolomea become close, a relationshipbetween them develops.This will be seen through a spy-hole by Felicita which will lead to confessionaltorture for Bartolomea and the threat of being burnt at the stake for Benedetta.A sordid tale , well portrayed, showing scenes of a sexual nature with nudityalong with sequences of torture.A sometimes difficult film to watch

PLOT...A 17th-century nun in Italy suffers from disturbing religious and erotic visions. She is assisted by a companion, and the relationship between the two women develops into a romantic love affair.Director Paul Verhoeven is no stranger to graphic violence and nudity and there is plenty of that here in Benedetta, a good well-made gritty religious drama! The story revolves around a nun who has visions of her one true love Jesus Christ, her visions are so real and so powerful they get more and more extremely violent and she manifests it into her real life even with signs of Stigmata making everyone believe she is some kind of vessel for their saviour but are her visions just her utter madness and imagination, she begins to have a sexual and passionate affair with another young nun but with so much lies and deceit around the church what is to be believed! A thought provoking and brilliant movie, very well acted by all the cast, amazing performances especially from Virginie Efira (Benedetta) and Daphne Patakia (Bartolomea) The movie has bloody violence mainly in the form of her visions, there's a fair share of full and partial female nudity and some artfully done sex and pleasure scenes. Overall, a brilliant drama if you're into watching this type of movie, certainly worth picking up.Blu-ray has a great HD picture.Features just include interviews 42mins.Region B UK. Running time 131mins. 2020.French language movie only with English subtitles.Audio description. Comes with a slipcase and 6 art-cards.

Originally bought for step dad and he recommended that I get it aswell!