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L'oeuvre au noir

  • 1988
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
512
YOUR RATING
L'oeuvre au noir (1988)
DramaHistory

In the sixteenth century, Spain occupies Flanders, an Inquisition enforces the faith. Aging writer and philosopher, Zénon Ligre, comes to Bruges using a false name and papers to serve as a p... Read allIn the sixteenth century, Spain occupies Flanders, an Inquisition enforces the faith. Aging writer and philosopher, Zénon Ligre, comes to Bruges using a false name and papers to serve as a physician to the poor, establishing a clinic and steam bath. His methods and opinions are o... Read allIn the sixteenth century, Spain occupies Flanders, an Inquisition enforces the faith. Aging writer and philosopher, Zénon Ligre, comes to Bruges using a false name and papers to serve as a physician to the poor, establishing a clinic and steam bath. His methods and opinions are outside the mainstream, but he has the protection and friendship of the local Prior. Zénon,... Read all

  • Director
    • André Delvaux
  • Writers
    • André Delvaux
    • Marguerite Yourcenar
  • Stars
    • Gian Maria Volontè
    • Sami Frey
    • Jacques Lippe
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    512
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • André Delvaux
    • Writers
      • André Delvaux
      • Marguerite Yourcenar
    • Stars
      • Gian Maria Volontè
      • Sami Frey
      • Jacques Lippe
    • 2User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 1 nomination total

    Photos6

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    Top cast42

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    Gian Maria Volontè
    Gian Maria Volontè
    • Zénon
    Sami Frey
    Sami Frey
    • Prieur des Cordeliers
    Jacques Lippe
    • Myers
    Anna Karina
    Anna Karina
    • Catherine
    Philippe Léotard
    Philippe Léotard
    • Henri-Maximilien
    Jean Bouise
    Jean Bouise
    • Campanus
    Marie-Christine Barrault
    Marie-Christine Barrault
    • Hilzonde
    Marie-France Pisier
    Marie-France Pisier
    • Martha
    Mathieu Carrière
    Mathieu Carrière
    • Pierre de Hamaere
    Pierre Dherte
    • Cyprien
    Johan Leysen
    Johan Leysen
    • Rombaut
    Dora van der Groen
    • Greete
    Senne Rouffaer
    • Le Cocq
    Geert Desmet
    • Han
    Michel Poncelet
    • Josse
    Harry Cleven
    • L'officier
    Roger Van Hool
    Roger Van Hool
    • L'officier
    Jules-Henri Marchant
    • L'évêque
    • Director
      • André Delvaux
    • Writers
      • André Delvaux
      • Marguerite Yourcenar
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews2

    7.0512
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    Featured reviews

    Rave-Reviewer

    Not quite The Name of the Rose...

    A doctor in the Netherlands during the sixteenth century is caught up in the conflict between Catholic Spain and Protestant Holland.

    Solemn treatment of a distinguished work of literature; the essence of the book just does not seem to come through.
    7bob998

    The Alchemist

    André Delvaux was a talented filmmaker whose works can be difficult to watch. They seem to drift by in a sort of glacial calm, although the subject matter is often very interesting. Rendez-vous à Bray was the first film of his I saw, and it repaid watching even if the emotional temperature was rather low. L'Oeuvre au noir is taken from a Marguerite Yourcenar novel, and shows the austerity she was famous for. At times it feels rather like walking barefoot over a marble floor.

    Gian-Maria Volonté's voice had to be dubbed for the film, but his face is expressive. We can follow his efforts to bring modern medical and scientific practices to Flanders in defiance of the Inquisition. Sami Frey as his cousin the prior is sympathetic.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Connections
      Referenced in La bisexualité: tout un art? (2008)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • May 13, 1988 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Belgium
    • Language
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Piatra filozofală
    • Production companies
      • Philippe Dussart
      • La Sept Cinéma
      • Canal+
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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