Pesthauch des Bösen (1993)

Pesthauch des Bösen: Directed by Leslie Megahey. With Colin Firth, Ian Holm, Donald Pleasence, Amina Annabi. In medieval France, young lawyer Richard Courtois leaves Paris for the simpler life in the country. However, he is soon drawn into amorous and political intrigues. At the same time, he is pushed to defend a pig, owned by the mysterious gypsy Samira. The pig has been arrested for the murder of a young boy.

“The quirkiness that another reviewer objects to is part of this movieu0026#39;s charm. The opening scene, a hanging, where one of the co-participants (a donkey) in an unnatural act is freed upon petition of the townspeople, is simply wonderful and sets the tone for what follows.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNot pointed out by any reviewers yet is that the director seems to have reproduced scenes out of European paintings (Flemish, I believe) – the deer in the inn, the man from the inquisition seated in the tavern, the innkeeperu0026#39;s wife and staff gathered to meet the lawyer when he arrives at the in, and more. The lighting, colors, and scene arrangement are faithfully reproduced. This is just one example of the charms of this movie, which is virtually unknown to the public.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnd one of the most delicious parts is the witchu0026#39;s blessing. Whenever I lend or give away a copy of this, I pointedly give it with my own blessing.”