Stigmata

Stigmata

The Messenger Must Be Silenced.Distributed by

MGM

• Cert:
• Cat.no: 15764 DVD
• Running time: 98 minutes
• Year: 1999
• Pressing: 2000
• Region(s): 2 (UK PAL)
• Chapters: 28 plus extras
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
• Languages: 4 languages available
• Subtitles: 13 languages available
• Widescreen: 2.35:1
• 16:9-enhanced: Yes
• Macrovision: No
• Disc Format: DVD 9
• Price: £19.99
• Extras : Scene index, Booklet, Documentary: “Divine Rites: The Story ofStigmata”, 5 Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending, Natalie Imbruglia music video,Director’s Commentary, Original Theatrical Trailer
  

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  Director:

  Rupert Wainwright

  (Blank Cheque, Stigmata)

Producers:

Screenplay:

Tom Lazarus and Rick Ramage

Music :

Cast :

Frankie Paige: Patricia Arquette (Beyond Rangoon, Ed Wood, Flirting with Disaster, Hi-Lo Country, Joseph Conrad’s Secret Agent, Lost Highway, Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Nightwatch, Stigmata, True Romance)
Father Andrew Kiernan: Gabriel Byrne (The Assassin, The Brylcreem Boys, A Dangerous Woman, Dead Man, Defence of the Realm, End of Days, The End of Violence, Enemy of the State, Into the West, Little Women (1994),The Man in the Iron Mask, Miller’s Crossing, Smilla’s Feeling For Snow, Stigmata, The Usual Suspects)
Cardinal Daniel Houseman: Jonathan Pryce (The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Brazil, A Business Affair, Deadly Advice, Evita, Glengarry Glen Ross, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, The Rachel Papers, Regeneration, Ronin, Shopping, Stigmata,Tomorrow Never Dies)

Stigmatais the word given to the five wounds experienced by Jesus Christ on the cross, causing himto die, as if asphyxiation wasn’t enough: the nails through the hands, although some believethey went through his wrists as the hands would not be able to support his body weight; thelashes on his back; the crown of thorns; the nails through the feet; and finally, thespear through his side which finished him off.

The film begins with Father Andrew Kiernan (Gabriel Byrne), a priest who is also aninvestigator into the causes behind many of the so-called miracles around the world. Whiletravelling off the beaten track in Belo Quinto, South-East Brazil, he comes across a churchonce run by Father Paulo Alameida. Now that man has passed away and he lies in his open coffinwhile the congregation mourn. The reason for Kiernan’s interest is down to the statue thatweeps blood from its eye. Quite a phenomenon, but what’s causing it? The last thing you see isa young boy stealing the rosary beads that lie on Alameida’s chest.

In the USA, Frankie Paige (Patricia Arquette) is a happy-go-lucky 23-year-old hairdresserwith few problems in the world, despite managing to afford a home that resembles the set of aCadbury’s Flake ad from the 80’s. Her mother sends her the same rosary beads that belonged toAlameida and were sold to her by the boy who approaches her in the market, trying to make somemoney, not realising their power.

As soon as they turn up, things go drastically wrong for Frankie. I don’t want to spoil the plot,but it’s suffice to say that when she’s taking a bath and the first signs of stigmata kick inand holes appear in her wrists, with blood pouring out, this and the fact that all the hospitalstaff to where she is taken don’t believe her and think it’s self-inflicted, is the least ofher worries, as you’ll soon find out.

Kiernan explains to Frankie that stigmata has only occured in true believers and it hasnever gone past the fourth stage in anyone ever. Of course, she’s an athiest and guess who’sabout to break all the rules?

The film also stars Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Daniel Houseman, essentially Kiernan’sboss, but he has his own hidden agenda. Also along for the ride are Frankie’s best friendDonna (Nia Long) and another colleague, Jen (Portia Di Rossi), most recentlyseen in Ally McBeal as hard-nosed Nell.

The film was shot in 2.35:1 Panavision and that has been faithfully representedhere. It’s also an anamorphic print, to take full-height advantage of awidescreen TV screen and the average bitrate is 7.37Mb/s, occasionallypeaking above 9Mb/s. There are some artifacts to be found on occasion though,making certain scenes a little hazy.

The sound is perfect though. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, there are scores ofopportunities when weird things happen whether it’s soft, whispering voices oranything exploding when Frankie has a look in. Oh – and don’t forget the fieryending too.

There’s also an alternate opening and an extended sex scene between Arquette andPatrick Muldoon, his only appearance in the film as her boyfriend, to make it intothe film.

Region 2 owners have a reason to be cheerful in the accompanying documentary,Divine Rites: The Story of Stigmata, a 25-minute extra that’s exclusive tothis DVD. It’s a very intriguing documentary showing the effects of what happened to thosewho experienced stigmata. Part of it is like one of those books full of gross things thathave happened to people that you go back to time and again.

There’s also a feature-length Director’s Commentary, a 2-minute TheatricalTrailer and a Natalie Imbruglia music video for the haunting closing theme,Identify. There are no subtitles over this although they appear over theclosing credits. What was surprising was that it’s a really well-accomplished trackand knocks spots of the poppiness of Torn and could have marked Nat’s careeras a serious singer. So, why was it never released as a single in the UK ?

Menu :The main menu is superb with a vision of Arquette, cracking thunder and rollingclouds, with sound to match. The only other animated menu is the scene selectionscreens.