The Name of the Rose

Two travelers arrive at a remote Benedictine abbey for a scholarly gathering, but the peaceful meeting is shattered by a string of brutal deaths. William of Baskerville, a sharp-witted Franciscan monk, uses logic, observation, and a calm voice to read clues others miss. He is joined by his teenage novice Adso, who documents what they uncover as the abbey's halls hide secret passages and guarded knowledge. As the pair investigates, they confront a web of deceit within the monastery and face powers that resist inquiry. The investigation blends deduction with atmosphere as religious politics and hidden motivations surface. The tension grows with discoveries.

Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, this 1986 adaptation of Umberto Eco's novel blends intellectual mystery with period intrigue; the screenplay is by Gérard Brach, Andrew Birkin, and Howard Franklin. The production design evokes 14th century Europe with authentic costumes and locations.

Made with an $18,000,000 budget, it grossed about $77,200,000 worldwide, a strong return that marked The Name of the Rose as a prestige thriller from mid 80s cinema. The numbers helped position it as a prestige adaptation worldwide and abroad.

Critics praised The Name of the Rose as a thoughtful adaptation balancing mystery with intellectual debate. Connery's William of Baskerville is a poised figure who challenges clerical power, and the film probes faith and knowledge within a shadowy medieval world. The dialogue echoes Eco's style. The dialogue rewards careful listening.

Cultural impact is seen in its enduring image of a labyrinthine abbey and a monk detective, which influenced later period mysteries. Its austere visuals and restrained storytelling endure as a benchmark for translating dense novels into film, and it helped pave the way for serious literary adaptations for modern audiences.