

"Exploring thoroughly modern taboos"
In 17th-century Tuscany, a church play is performed for the benefit of 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.
Director: Peter Greenaway
Writers: Peter Greenaway

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)

Kathryn Hunter
The Second Midwife

Gabrielle Reidy
The Third Midwife

Frank Egerton
The Prompter

Phelim McDermott
The First Tutor

Tony Vogel
The Father

Tatiana Strauss
The First Nun

Louisa Milwood-Haigh
The Second Nun

Anna Nieland
The Wetnurse

Graham Valentine
Famine

Diana van Kolck
The Mother

Leslie Cuss
The Second Tutor

Rien Kroon
The Chaplain