Nostradamus

I must say I enjoyed this film, but I agree with the other comments that it was horribly disjointed. It was absolutely gorgeous to look at (I would rate it up there with Elizabeth or Rozencranz & Guildenstern are Dead in that respect), but it is pretty hard to follow. Having read a short bio on Nostradamus recently, it seems that they got their facts right (there was some speculation, but isn't there always in such films?), but it seems rushed, like the director is trying to fit too much into the time alloted. Overall an enjoyable picture.

This movie is okay. The actors all do a fine job and the plot is well made. One of the bad things with this movie is that one only gets to see the foretelling Nostradamus made about the 20th century, and almost nothing else. I think the best part is when they have mixed the foretellings with his present doings. It is sad to see that this movie has been rated so low by the imdb-users.

I personally thought that this movie was one of the better period pieces that are around. I felt that the actor playing Nostradamus did a wonderful job trying to portray a very illusive figure in our history books. Not many people (including historians) agree on what Nostradamus' personality type exactly was, so for this actor to portray anything at all is somewhat impressive to me... But, I do have to admit that the artistic attempts near the end (especially the vision of the future at the very last scene) were a bit much. I think that although it was important to get the point across that he was a visionary... that it should have been done throughout the piece... not just at two points throughout the whole film (during the carriage ride and at the end)... But, hat's off for trying!

One thing that I'm extremely interested in knowing is if his first wife (played by Julia Ormond) was really arrested by the Inquisition for having some Arabian Mysticism book... and if so... what was the title of the book!? I kept re-winding to get the name, but could not understand what she was saying! I keep trying to find any hint of this story online, but unfortunately have no luck... if anyone knows what book she supposedly had in the movie (or in real life), PLEASE e-mail me... I'm EXTREMELY interested in finding out about it!

C-ya, Stephen

Most Nostradamus movies have him as an older man, a gloomy sort constantly predicting doom. This movie doesn't. Tcheky Karyo plays a very involved, interesting, and engaging version of Michel de Nostredame. I particularly liked the "vision" sequences, where he suddenly is dropped into the future to observe. I thought the part of the movie where he is confronted by the Inquisition was effective as well. The movie is flawed; it moves slowly, and finicky history buffs will find a few bumps. But overall this features a fine performance by Tcheky Karyo, beautiful photography and sets, and (I have to say) a sex scene with Julia Ormond that manages to be really hot and very tasteful at the same time. Summing up, "Nostradamus" has some strong performances, and a good (if slow) story. It kept my interest all the way through. I'm looking forward to getting it on DVD.

I only saw this film a few days ago and was struck by the beauty of the film as a whole. I found it neither boring, nor disjointed. Instead I was amazed at the man's life, the portrayal of the religious fear and bigotry of the time, and the terror of the plague. While I assume much of it can be put down to artistic licence, I come away from the film understanding more about the man, especially the fact that he wasn't some grizzled old madman.

I loved it, only finding Rutger Hauer's section somewhat unnecessary and peripheral, and his vision of the distant future too stylised. I would like to have known more about the rest of his life after the death of the King though...