So you want to be a composer, philosopher, playwright, poet, naturalist, scientist, physician, herbalist and ecological activist. But you've made a few mistakes: being born a female in 12th century France. What to do? Provided you are well-off and willing to twist some arms and have some visions, becoming a nun may be your best option. Vision is low budget, and looks somewhat like a stage play (performed at what may be a German university in the off-season) but makes up for it with spirited performances, and a clever screenplay with more humour than might be expected. Warning: despite what the box says, or the costumes the actors are wearing, Vision is not so much a religious drama as a power struggle. I can see Glenn Close's character from Damages stepping into the Hildegard role in an American version of this story.

This was an interesting movie, but not one of my favorites. I did not know much about Hildegard and felt like I really learned a lot about her life and the times in which she lived. The acting was fine but not outstanding. I did not feel that I got a good sense of what the "visions" were that she was supposed to have seen. Also, be advised that it is in German with English subtitles.

In the extras, Von Trotta identified three aspects of Hildegard's life of relevance today - healing in terms of treating the body as a whole; environment in terms of taking care of nature (elements) so that it does not turn against you; and greed and the need to control it. An interesting film.

This item was returned to you on Mon Nov 4

I first heard the music of Hildegard von Bingen in the collection "A feather on the breath of God" - beautiful vocal music. I wondered at the life of this woman and this collection gives some sense of this. The camera work is fantastic, reminding one of "The Girl With the Pearl Earring" movie. The story is fairly bare-bones hagiography, but does give a sense of the values and temper of the times, which is what you want. On the other hand, there is no real interior shown of this woman. The'visions' are covered by having voice-overs of her written descriptions of these visions, and they seem to be congruent with the worldview of the times. The movie is in German, as befits this German abbess, with English sub-titles.

Interesting story but tedious and silly in parts.

Incredible woman willing to stand by her convictions. Excellent acting! Not a child friendly film.

Excellent film. Well acted and beautifully photographed. And you don't even have to be a Christian to enjoy it. Recommended.