A timeless movie of love and tragedy
Added 6/24/2008
When this movie came out in the late '80's, I hadn't heard anything about it, but rented it on a whim one evening since I enjoy history and period pieces very much. I was completely blown away by this movie. It captured the heartwrenching love story of Abelard and Heloise in 12th century Pars, and the subsequent tragic consequences of their union, in a manner I've not seen portrayed in any other movie to this day. I have looked and looked for a copy of this movie to buy, but have been unsuccessful. If it ever comes out on DVD, I'll be first in line.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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STEALING HEAVEN
Added 2/16/2008
"STEALING HEAVEN" IS THE LOVE STORY BETWEEN BROTHER ABELARD AND SISTER ELOISE AND I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE PREVIEW REVIEWS, THAT THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL LOVE STORIES EVER TOLD.....I TRIED TO PURCHASE THIS DVD FROM ONE OF THE AMAZON MARKETPLACE VENDORS BUT ALAS, AFTER 2 TRIES OF BAD PRINTS FROM THEM AND MANY WEEKS OF TRANSACTIONS I WAS LEFT WITH A FAULTY COPY AND MUCH FRUSTRATION FOR STILL NOT HAVING HAD THE ANTICIPATED PLEASURE OF ENJOYING IT ONCE MORE.
BRAVO AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO AMAZON FOR MAKING THE DVD AVAILABLE TO US, WHO LOVE GOOD MOVIES AND GREAT BUT TRAGIC TRUE LOVE STORIES OF ALL TIME.....
WHEN I WAS IN FRANCE SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I TRIED TO FIND THESE LOVERS' GRAVES BUT MUCH TO MY DISAPOINTMENT, I FAILED IN MY SEARCH....IF YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT---PLEASE--- BUY IT AND YOU WILL FIND IN IT WHAT WE, WHO LOVED IT, FOUND.
I FIRST DISCOVERED THIS STORY MANY YEARS AGO, WHEN I ATTENDED A PERFORMANCE OF A "SOLD OUT" SEASON PLAY, AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE CALLED "ABELARD AND ELOISE" AND HAVE BEEN IN LOVE WITH THIS STORY EVER SINCE.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Love transcends time
Added 4/12/2005
The story of Abelard and Heloise will stir every emotion within your heart. Their love is timeless but tragic. I stumbled upon this film entirely by chance. Of course, I don't believe in chance. Love can be passionate, reckless, overwhelming, selfless, cruel, and a million other emotions that pull you in every conceivable direction. This very real film pulls you through all of these feelings and more. The emotions are raw. The humanity is unavoidable. This is a cinematic masterpiece which shows the true depths of love and the cost it exacts on your soul.
Beyond the characters, the plot, and the timeless depths of this love story is the amazing cinematography. This movie defines passion in all its facets. Scenes are dramatic in color and tone. The individuals are vibrant and flawed. Anyone who has ever loved and stayed the course through adversity and the dictates of fate and destiny will understand why this film is such a masterpiece.
One negative about the film in its trimmed down version is the deletion of poignant love scenes. I far prefer the Director's Cut which includes these deleted scenes. As with any screen adaptation of a novel, some details have been glossed over. This saga would run several hours if it had been filmed as an unabridged version. This is a film well worth watching.
11 out of 11 people found this helpful.
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A classic retelling. . .
Added 2/14/2005
. . .of one of the greatest -- and most tragic -- love stories of all time.
The tragic love affair (and its consequences) between the noted theologian Peter Abelard and the brilliant Heloise is artfully brought to the screen in the adaptation of the novel by the same name. The casting and cinematograhy were supurb.
Two versions of this film exist on videotape. The unrated version is by far the best, although EXTREMELY graphic. The "R" rated version toned the explicit material down significantly -- but also cut much material which had nothing to do with any "racy" scenes, and really did damage to the plot line.
As an additional "plus", some of the historical liberties which the author of the novel took (see my review for details) were greatly toned down in the film.
An enjoyable, historical film -- but not for everyone. If you can't handle the explicit material, don't bother with the edited version. Too much was cut out.
16 out of 16 people found this helpful.
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One of the Greatest Love Stories of all Time
Added 12/29/2004
Tristan and Isolde have nothing on these two. This is one of the most poignent, romantic, hopeful, longing movies I have EVER seen in my life. If I could give it 10 stars, I would do so. It is FABULOUS and the costume, scenery, dialogue, alone make it worthy of a place in cinematic history. Both lead actors (male and female) were absolutely superb!!! It shows the best of true love,sacrifice and noble spirit.
11 out of 11 people found this helpful.
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