A dark film, with dark characters, containing dark medieval plays that are filmed in dark tones, this was probably appropriate for England, circa 1380, since this period followed the black plague that swept over Europe and preceded the Renaissance by two hundred years.  However, it was not a pleasant story and after watching, I searched for its redeeming value.  It did accurately depict the pervasive Biblical mystery plays, typical of the times.  And it did portray the miserable plight of the lower classes under the absolute power of the lords.  There was an expected morality theme, which bubbled to the surface, since the film was based on a the novel, Morality Play by  Barry Unsworth.

            The story begins with, Nicholas, a runaway priest who encounters a group of migrant thespians.  Diverted by a washed out bridge, they arrive at a town subjugated by an abusive lord. Nicholas, with Martin, the leader of the thespians, takes the group into both adventure and misadventure.

            Paul Bettany plays the lead role of Nicholas, the priest.  It was a showpiece for his acting and to a lesser extent also for William Dafoe who plays Martin, the leader of the thespians.  At 6'3'', Bettany towers over everyone in the film and this seems to go well with the role.  I thought both primary actors did well, although the camera focused on Bettany to the exclusion of Dafoe.  Gina McKee plays Sarah, Martin's sister.  She has a dower, stone face demeanor that fits her into specific roles like this one as well as the stubborn wife, Irene, in the PBS mini-series, The Forsyte Saga (2002).

            There were a couple of strange deviations in the film.  Dafoe performs some isolated gymnastics exercises for no apparent reason.  And at the end, Lord de Guise's guard soldiers seemed to evaporate.

            I wouldn't recommend this film to young people, or anyone else, for that matter.

            Reviewed July 21, 2005

            MPAA: Rated R for some sexuality and violent images.