The Name of the Rose (1986), directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, is a dark and intellectually charged medieval mystery film starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater. Based on Umberto Eco’s acclaimed novel, the movie fuses detective fiction, theological debate, and gothic horror into one unforgettable cinematic experience.
Detailed Summary
Arrival at the Monastery
Set in the year 1327, the film follows William of Baskerville (Sean Connery), a Franciscan monk with a sharp, analytical mind, and his young novice Adso of Melk (Christian Slater). They arrive at a remote Benedictine monastery in Northern Italy, where a theological debate between Franciscans and papal envoys is about to take place. However, their visit takes a dark turn when a series of mysterious deaths occur among the monks.
The First Death – A Forbidden Mystery
The first victim, a monk named Adelmo, is found dead at the base of a tower. The abbot insists it was suicide, but William suspects foul play. He begins to investigate, Sherlock Holmes–style (a clever nod to his “Baskerville” surname referencing The Hound of the Baskervilles). His logical approach clashes with the monks’ superstitious beliefs that the deaths are the work of the devil.
Clues in the Scriptorium
William and Adso uncover a pattern linking the murders to the monastery’s scriptorium—the place where manuscripts are copied and preserved. The most forbidden place is the library, a labyrinthine tower filled with ancient books, guarded by blind librarian Jorge of Burgos (Feodor Chaliapin Jr.), who warns of the dangers of excessive curiosity.
Sin, Secrets, and Temptation
Amidst the investigation, Adso encounters a peasant girl (Valentina Vargas) who seduces him in the kitchen. Their brief, passionate encounter awakens in him a deep conflict between desire and faith. This subplot humanizes Adso and gives the film a tender emotional layer against its grim backdrop.
The Web of Lies
William’s rational inquiry begins to threaten the monastery’s hierarchy. When more monks die under mysterious circumstances, the tension escalates. A book seems to be the common link among all victims—one so dangerous that it kills those who read it.
The Forbidden Book Revealed
William finally discovers the truth: the deaths are connected to a Greek manuscript by Aristotle, a lost volume of his Poetics discussing comedy and laughter. Jorge, the blind librarian, considers laughter sinful, believing it undermines the fear of God. To prevent the spread of laughter, he has poisoned the book’s pages. Readers lick their fingers to turn them—and die.
The Final Confrontation and the Burning of the Library
In a tense climax, William confronts Jorge in the library’s hidden chamber. Jorge defiantly consumes the poisonous pages himself, choosing martyrdom for his beliefs. But in the struggle, he knocks over a lantern, igniting a fire that engulfs the entire library. The flames spread uncontrollably, consuming centuries of knowledge.
Movie Ending
The monastery burns through the night. Most of the priceless manuscripts are destroyed. The abbot perishes in the fire, and William and Adso narrowly escape. As dawn breaks, Adso reflects on his time with William—how he learned to question authority, seek truth, and understand the complexities of faith.
The film ends with an older Adso narrating how he never saw William again but continued to cherish the fragments of wisdom he had learned. He salvages a few burned pages from the ruins—the last remnants of a world lost to ignorance and fanaticism.
There’s no happy ending here—only bittersweet melancholy. Knowledge has been destroyed, but the pursuit of truth lives on through those who remember.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Name of the Rose does not have a post-credits scene. The story concludes with Adso’s reflective narration, serving as a fitting and final closure to the film’s philosophical tone.
Type of Movie
This film is a historical mystery thriller with strong elements of philosophical drama and religious allegory. It’s also a detective story wrapped in the intellectual darkness of the Middle Ages—part crime investigation, part spiritual inquisition.
Cast
- Sean Connery – William of Baskerville
- Christian Slater – Adso of Melk
- F. Murray Abraham – Bernardo Gui
- Feodor Chaliapin Jr. – Jorge of Burgos
- Michael Lonsdale – Abbot
- Valentina Vargas – The Girl
- Helmut Qualtinger – Remigio da Varagine
- Elya Baskin – Severinus
Film Music and Composer
The haunting score was composed by James Horner, whose music elevates the film’s eerie, medieval atmosphere. The soundtrack features Gregorian chants, somber orchestral strings, and subtle choral arrangements that mirror the film’s tone of dread and mystery.
Filming Locations
Filming took place primarily in Eberbach Abbey in Germany—a former Cistercian monastery. Its authentic Romanesque architecture and secluded surroundings added a genuine medieval authenticity to the film’s grim atmosphere. Additional scenes were filmed in Italy’s Abruzzo region for the exterior shots.
Awards and Nominations
- BAFTA Award for Best Actor – Sean Connery (Winner)
- César Award for Best Foreign Film – Winner
- Nominated for several European film awards for cinematography, costume design, and production design
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Umberto Eco initially opposed the idea of a film adaptation, fearing Hollywood would simplify his intricate story.
- Sean Connery was not the studio’s first choice; producers wanted a younger, more conventional hero—but Connery’s charisma won them over.
- Christian Slater was only 16 during filming and reportedly nervous acting alongside Connery.
- The library set was built as a real maze to create authentic confusion during filming.
- Jean-Jacques Annaud insisted on using natural light, creating an almost painterly realism.
Inspirations and References
The film is based on Umberto Eco’s 1980 novel Il nome della rosa. Eco’s inspiration came from:
- Sherlock Holmes stories (reflected in William’s detective persona)
- Medieval scholastic philosophy
- Real historical disputes between the Franciscan Order and the Papacy
- The works of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
While no alternate ending was filmed, several minor scenes exploring Adso’s romance with the peasant girl were trimmed for pacing. Some early drafts featured William dying in the fire, but the director decided to preserve his survival to emphasize the theme of knowledge enduring through discipleship.
Book Adaptation and Differences
The film condenses the novel’s deep theological debates and reduces some of the historical background. Eco’s book spends pages on the philosophy of laughter and the nature of heresy, while the movie focuses more on the murder mystery. The tone of the film is also less ironic and more straightforwardly grim compared to the novel’s layered narrative voice.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- William examining the corpse and deducing clues using logic.
- Adso’s secret encounter with the peasant girl.
- The first entrance into the forbidden library.
- The confrontation with Jorge and the burning of the manuscripts.
Iconic Quotes
- William: “The only evidence I have is that I have no evidence.”
- William: “Fear is a poor counselor.”
- Adso (narration): “Perhaps I never knew my master truly. But I loved him well.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The name “William of Baskerville” is a nod to Sherlock Holmes.
- Jorge of Burgos’ name honors Jorge Luis Borges, the blind Argentine writer known for his love of labyrinths.
- Several book titles in the forbidden library are references to lost works from antiquity.
Trivia
- Sean Connery’s performance revived his career, leading directly to his role in The Untouchables.
- The production used over 3,000 candles to light interior scenes.
- The film’s Latin chants were performed by real monks.
- The burning library scene took weeks to shoot using practical fire effects.
Why Watch?
Watch The Name of the Rose if you love intelligent mysteries, gothic settings, and historical intrigue. It’s a masterful blend of detective story and philosophical reflection, where every shadow hides both sin and truth.
Director’s Other Movies
- Quest for Fire (1981)
- The Lover (1992)
- Enemy at the Gates (2001)
- Two Brothers (2004)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Seventh Seal (1957)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
- In the Name of the Father (1993)
- The Crucible (1996)
- The Ninth Gate (1999)
