Set halfway through the 17th century, a church play is performed for the benefit of the young aristocrat Cosimo. In the play, a grotesque old woman gives birth to a beautiful baby boy. The child's older sister is quick to exploit the situation, selling blessings from the baby, and even claiming she's the true mother by virgin birth. However, when she attempts to seduce the bishop's son, the Church exacts a terrible revenge.

Julia Ormond
The Daughter

Ralph Fiennes
The Bishop's Son

Philip Stone
The Bishop
Jonathan Lacey
Cosimo Medici

Don Henderson
The Father Confessor

Celia Gregory
The Mother Superior

Jeff Nuttall
The Major Domo

Jessica Hynes
The First Midwife (as Jessica Stevenson)
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Release Date
September 17, 1993
Runtime
2h 2m
Rating
NR
Genres
Drama, History
Director
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