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The Reckoning

Willem Dafoe (Actor), Paul Bettany (Actor), Paul McGuigan (Director) Rated:
R
Format: DVD
4.1 out of 5 stars 214 ratings
IMDb6.4/10.0
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Format Widescreen, Dolby, Anamorphic, Color, NTSC, Subtitled
Contributor Barry Unsworth, Richard Durden, Trevor Steedman, Mark Mills, Brian Cox, Marin Aguilera, Stuart Wells, Willem Dafoe, Elvira Mnguez, Gina McKee, Paul McGuigan, Vincent Cassel, Simon McBurney, Tom Hardy, Paul Bettany See more
Language English
Runtime 1 hour and 52 minutes
Color Color
Available at a lower price from other sellers that may not offer free Prime shipping.

Product Description

Set in 14th century England, THE RECKONING focuses on Nicholas (Bettany), a young priest who has broken his vow of chastity and in turn becomes a fugitive, escaping from his fellow monks and their judgment. Posing as an actor in a traveling acting troupe, Nicholas, along with the actors, discovers that a young woman convicted of killing a boy is actually innocent and the troupe sets out to prove her innocence by incorporating the crime into their plays.

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 2.35:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 4 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Paul McGuigan
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Widescreen, Dolby, Anamorphic, Color, NTSC, Subtitled
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 52 minutes
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Willem Dafoe, Paul Bettany, Marin Aguilera, Trevor Steedman, Simon McBurney
  • Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
  • Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Paramount
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000291Q52
  • Writers ‏ : ‎ Barry Unsworth, Mark Mills
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Best Sellers Rank: #166,950 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 214 ratings

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
214 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this movie to be a compelling period drama with a good story that's worth watching multiple times. The cast receives praise for their great performances, with characters that feel like real people. They appreciate the film's moral themes, with one customer highlighting its exploration of justice in medieval times.

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Story qualityCastMoralityPerformance qualityPacing
24 customers mention "Story quality"24 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of this compelling period drama, finding it thoroughly entertaining and worth watching multiple times.

"Pretty good, and worth the watch if you enjoy period films. Paul Bettany is great, as always...." Read more

"A very thoughtful movie, worth watching several times. It looks at moral ambiguity in some of the characters and moral certainty in others...." Read more

"This is a well told story! It is a medieval murder mystery! Plenty of surprises...." Read more

"It's slow pace but it's a good story." Read more

16 customers mention "Cast"16 positive0 negative

Customers praise the cast, noting that the actors are great and the characters seem like real people.

"great cast! great story!" Read more

"All the actors are GREAT; love the story-telling as told through the troupe's stage-acting...." Read more

"...fairly good recreations of a medieval village, and a glimpse into how characters lived and loved during medieval times...." Read more

"...Very grim, but somehow not depressing. The characters seem like real people, not medieval stereotypes. I was very glad to find it on disc." Read more

6 customers mention "Morality"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the movie's moral themes, with one review highlighting its exploration of justice in medieval times, while another notes its interesting portrayal of English life.

"...in this film provoke our sympathy and empathy, and the harsh injustices of feudalism, a familiar period-film trope, are made painfully real." Read more

"...get interesting insight into how the feudal system worked, into justice in medieval times, and how actors were slowly changing the way performances..." Read more

"...The characters seem like real people, not medieval stereotypes. I was very glad to find it on disc." Read more

"...It's an interesting view of medieval English life and customs. Willem Defoe is great and really flexible...." Read more

5 customers mention "Performance quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the performances in the movie, with one noting the appropriate pacing.

"...to be director Paul McGuigan's LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN's concept and flawless execution. [..." Read more

"I enjoyed this movie. Paul Bettany and Willam Dafoe gave good performances and the story was good...." Read more

"Sleeper in a good way. Really great performances especially from one of my favorite actors - Paul Bettany...." Read more

"This movie has a simple crime storyline, is well told with sublime performance by a talented cast of actors, and is refreshingly free of special..." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the pacing of the movie, with one noting Willem Defoe's great performance.

"Pretty good, and worth the watch if you enjoy period films. Paul Bettany is great, as always...." Read more

"...is very fine while editing is chaotic and frustrating. Lines are often muffled/mangled or misdirected...." Read more

"...It's an interesting view of medieval English life and customs. Willem Defoe is great and really flexible...." Read more

"...Willem Dafoe was wonderful, as usual. But the script was pedestrian and corny, a great disappointment." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kristi De
    5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE this movie! I've watched it MANY times....
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    All the actors are GREAT; love the story-telling as told through the troupe's stage-acting. Paul Bettany is an amazing actor and is well-supported by his also-amazing costars Gina McKee, Willem DaFoe, Brian Cox, Tom Hardy and Vincent Cassel. What a lineup!!
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  • ABC
    5.0 out of 5 stars As I am not a medieval historian
    Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    and I haven't read the book from which this was adapted, I'm having to judge it on the basis of its success as an engaging film. I think it works--as few period pieces do--which is saying a lot, for the presence of Willem Dafoe is tough to get beyond. But I found the power of the story enough to make me overlook his unsuccessful accent. Paul Bettany's underplayed priest-in-ethical-agony is quite moving, and the supporting cast includes some fine British actors who give convincing performances. Vincent Cassel is well cast as the villainous overlord but has to deliver some unfortunately clichéd lines toward the end of the movie. Even so, the moral complications explored in this film provoke our sympathy and empathy, and the harsh injustices of feudalism, a familiar period-film trope, are made painfully real.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Lisa Shea
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good View of Medieval Life with a Few Issues
    Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The Reckoning is a fairly unique movie. It's a medieval tale that explores the world of Passion Plays along with murder mysteries. You get interesting insight into how the feudal system worked, into justice in medieval times, and how actors were slowly changing the way performances were handled.

    We have a number of famous actors here. Willem Dafoe, always one of my favorites. Paul Bettany. Vincent Cassel, who played the Night Fox in the Ocean's Eleven series. Matthew Macfadyen from Pride & Prejudice. Good stuff.

    A group of actors comes into a remote castle village, merely by chance, and puts on some plays to earn some money. At this time, plays were seen only legitimate if they told stories from the Bible. It was considered inappropriate to tell "made up" stories. But Willem's character thinks that should change. He thinks that other stories can be just as important. And, as it turns out, this village has a story to tell. A young boy has been murdered.

    There are investigations and intrigues, suspicions and suspects.

    I love sword fighting, so I should mention that there really aren't any here. This is more of a "Name of the Rose" sleuthing story than a hack-and-bash story. That's quite fine, of course.

    I also love stories that have both male and female characters in them, and it's a bit sad, but there are pretty much no females in this story. There's the woman accused of murder who has a brief part. There's also a female who is a member of the troupe, but she's actively dismissed and pushed aside. So that's a bit of a shame. Women in medieval times were fairly strong characters, and they had a lot of respect. When the men were away at the Crusades, women ran pretty much everything. They weren't quite treated as much as dirt as this movie makes it out to be.

    The interiors of the castle scenes were played at Hedingham Castle, in Essex, England, but interestingly, the entire exterior is fake! These are actually the Rodalquilar gold mines in Almeira, Spain. The director converted the entire gold mine complex into a medieval village, including building a keep. You can see some photos of that by googling. Cool stuff.

    I enjoy watching Willem Dafoe's amazing yoga skills in some of those scenes. No, that's not a stunt double. He really can do a standing backbend, a standing handstand, and many other feats at his mature age. It's inspirational.

    If there's a down side to this movie, it's the ending. I don't want to give it away, of course, but the cutting and sequencing and camerawork are AWFUL during it. There are times people talk but their lips don't move. Other times they don't talk but their lips are moving. Very, very odd and rushed. It's a letdown after you get invested in what is going on.

    Still, a good look at the evolution of Passion Plays, at some fairly good recreations of a medieval village, and a glimpse into how characters lived and loved during medieval times. Certainly a step above the movies that have characters in polyester tights :).
    3 people found this helpful
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  • VAN
    5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling period drama...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This movie has been a favorite for a long time. Very grim, but somehow not depressing. The characters seem like real people, not medieval stereotypes. I was very glad to find it on disc.
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  • Roy Clark
    1.0 out of 5 stars A LESSON IN HOW A MOVIE CAN REALLY GO WRONG
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this film because I was floored by what I thought to be director Paul McGuigan's LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN's concept and flawless execution. Lucky Number Slevin (Widescreen Edition) But McGuigan's prior success came from a brilliant script by #7's writer, Jason Smilovic, who delivered a coherent, dynamic, fascinating story; which means concept and character, motivation, drama all started out right.

    In The Reckoning, most everything went agonizingly wrong. There must be a story behind how what could have been a fine movie got so botched. (Who knows what happened? Funding was pulled, ham-handed producer intervention, drugs? But isn't the director ultimately responsible? If the script was bad, he should have nixed it; or put the 'Alan Smithee' name the mess. I believe the concept was good, script flaws - clarity, continuity, characterization - could have been doctored. But in filming, concept, dialogue and production elements never come together.)

    The Reckoning is a period/whodunit movie, like the classic The Name of the Rose
    (released in 1986, A Classic, which's why it's now selling 'new' at Amazon for almost $20, used, $8.34)

    Little of The Reckoning makes sense, tracks or uses the talents of its actors' skills. Art direction
    is very fine while editing is chaotic and frustrating. Lines are often muffled/mangled or misdirected. The director's responsible for pulling all production elements together; McGuigan #7 seemingly brilliant director's touch was here totally absent.

    Buy, enjoy those other films; but I reckon The Reckoning is a mish-mashed mess. Caveat Emptor!
    One person found this helpful
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  • orchardcarrie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Period piece
    Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    If you love the Middle Ages, the rich taking advantage of the poor! Paul Bettany, Willem Defoe. Great acting!
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Ray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Eine wahrhaftige Geschichte....
    Reviewed in Germany on May 21, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Paul McGuigan ist ein britischer Regisseur und wurde bekannt durch seinen Gangsterfilm "Gangster Nr. 1" mit Malcolm McDowell. Sein bekanntester Film ist "Lucky Number Slevin" mit Josh Hartnett. Bruce Willis, Ben Kingsley und Morgan Freeman. Dieser Gangsterfilm wurde ein bisschen zum Kultfilm. Sein bester Film ist vielleicht der nur wenig bekannte Historienfilm "The Reckoning" aus dem Jahr 2003.

    Darin geht es auch um den tieferen Sinn des Geschichtenerzählens. McGuigan wirft mit seinem Szenario auch die Frage auf, warum in unserer Kulturgeschichte die Kunst des Fabulierens so einen riesengroßen Raum einnimt. Im tief religiös geprägten Mittelalter war auf den Theaterbühnen nur das Erbe der Bibel zu sehen. Die Akteure, meist fahrendes Volk, bot die Geschichte des Sündenfalls oder den Brudermord von Kain und Abel vor dem Publikum an. Die Bühne war der Dorfplatz und die interessierte Bevölkerung gab den Schauspielern eine kleine Zuwendung, ein kleine Geldspende.

    England im Jahr 1380: Der junge Priester Nicholas (Paul Bettany) treibt es im Schuppen mit einer verheirateten Frau. Er wird von dem gehörnten Ehemann gestellt und es kommt zum Kampf. Nicholas flieht und versteckt sich in den Wäldern, weil nach ihm gesucht wird. Immer wieder tauchen im Lauf der Handlung Fragmente dieser Anfangsszene wieder auf, die Nicholas am liebsten verdrängen würde. Als er eine fahrende Gauklertruppe entdeckt, beobachtet er diese in der Nacht. Die Truppe wird angeführt von Martin (Willem Dafoe) und hat schon bessere Tage gesehen. Der Anführer der Schauspielgruppe, Martins Vater, ist gerade verstorben und man weiß nicht so recht, wie es weitergehen soll. Zu dem fahrenden Schauspielvolk gehören auch Tobias (Brian Cox), Sarah (Gina McKee), Stephen (Simon McBurney), Stras (Tom Hardy) und Springer (Stuart Wells). Nicholas will sich der Reisegruppe anschließen, die zuerst von diesem Wunsch nicht besonders angetan ist. Aber da mit dem Ausfall durch den Tod von Martins Vater Rollen umgesetzt und neu gestaltet werden müssen, nimmt man schließlich den Neuling mit, von dem keiner weiß, dass er ein Priester auf der Flucht ist. Sie reisen durch die Berge, durch eine winterliche Landschaft und machen zu einem Zeitpunkt in einem Dorf halt, als gerade eine taubstumme Frau des Mordes an einem Jungen angeklagt wird. Durch die Aussage des Mönchs Simon Damian (Ewen BreMner); der behauptet die Tat gesehen zu haben, wird die Frau zum Tod durch Erhängen verurteilt. Im Dorf selbst regiert der undurchsichtige Lord de Guise (Vincent Cassel), dessen Burg über dem Dorf thront. Durch den anhaltenden Misserfolg mit der Nacherzählung biblischer Geschichten, kommt Martin, der nun der Chef des Ensembles ist, auf die Idee, diesen aktuellen Mordfall in einem Stück nachzuspielen. Mit ungeahnten Folgen. Denn immer mehr stoßen die Akteure bei ihrer Recherche auf Ungereimtheiten, die Zweifel an der Schuld der Verurteilten aufkommen lassen...

    bereits in der ersten Inszenierung des Ensembles, die sich an die offizielle Version der Ereignisse hält, entsteht im Publikum plötzlich ein Unbehagen, dass zum echten Tumult ausartet. Man nötigt die Truppe dazu, dass sie schnell wieder die Stadt verlassen. Was sie auch tun. Nur Nicholas fühlt sich seinem Gewissen verpflichtet und unternimmt den gefährlichen Versuch die Frau irgendwie vor dem Tod zu rächen. Ausserdem trägt er natürlich eine Schuld aus der Vergangenheit mit sich. McGuigans Film ist ein herausragendes Plädoyer für die aufklärerischen Qualitäten des Erzählens von wahrhaftigen Geschichten. Doch er zeigt auch die Gefahr, denn in dem Moment, wo die offizielle Version brüchig wird, könnte sie das etablierte System stürzen und dies wollen die Mächtigen ja auf jeden Fall verhindern. Noch mehr kommt heraus. Der Burgherr ist ein perverser Knabenschänder, der seine Opfer dann nach seinen Taten einfach verschwinden lässt.
    Mit der Kriminalgeschichte kommt auch ein bisschen Flair ala "Der Name der Rose" auf.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Very good period drama
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Given the quality of the actors I expected this to be pretty good.What I hadn't expected was quite how good.It was obviouslly made on a smallish budget:the locations were permissable in a european rather than post Anglo saxon England setting.However this did not detract from the story,which is set in post conquest England when much of the country was under the heel of the Norman tyrany.The plot is good and you will watch far worse and pay more for it.Give it a go,in particular if your into early period drama.
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  • DJZee
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good movie.
    Reviewed in Canada on November 9, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    It's safe to say I am a Paul Bettany fan and would watch any of his movies however this was for me a good movie worth watching.I recommend it.
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  • MariJose Rodriguez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Película muy entretenida y actuaciones memorables
    Reviewed in Spain on January 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    El DVD venía en perfectas condiciones y se reproduce sin problemas. La película es muy buena, con un guión muy bien escrito, actores que le dan profundidad a los personajes y los hacen muy humanos y creíbles, una historia conmovedora y muy bien ejecutada. Se basa en la novela Morality Play que he comprado a raíz de ver la película.
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  • Carole Ruth Lowe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Product satisfaction
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great film and the product quality is fantastic
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