Das Konklave (2006)

Das Konklave: Directed by Christoph Schrewe. With Manu Fullola, Brian Blessed, James Faulkner, Rolf Kanies. In 1458, five years after the fall of Constantinople to the Turk, eighteen cardinals met in Rome to elect a new pope. A 27-year-old Spanish cardinal, Rodrigo Borgia, learns to play a very dangerous game; how to survive his first conclave.

“A treat for history buffs who like their movies to absorb rather just entertain. The combination of sophistry and brutality paints a picture of the age in which it is set. Cardinals with mistresses, and low scruples in arm-twisting confrontation over the election of the new pope pits the shrewd but earthy Piccolomin (played in character by Brian Blessed) against the ruthless and brilliant Du0026#39;Estouteville (James Faulkner). The plot includes promises of royal patronage, rival families asserting threats, and anti-Spanish killing. Should be familiar to all politicians with promises to make and break.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt is a 15th Century u0026quot;12 Angry Menu0026quot;, in this case 18.”