Caravaggio

Released Dec 31, 1986

1h 29m

History

Drama

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List

82%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

68%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

This fictional portrait of Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Nigel Terry) follows the painter as he wanders the streets, often using prostitutes and homeless people as models for his work, which was lauded in his own time. Involved with two very different lovers, Ranuccio (Sean Bean) and Lena (Tilda Swinton), Caravaggio leads a troubled life in spite of his relative success, with his reckless behavior steering him towards an early grave.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

I may be a dull fellow, but from the very beginning of Caravaggio, I hadn't the slightest idea as to what Jarman was up to.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Michael Bronski

Gay Community News (Boston)

What emerges is a passionate story of a bisexual artist... who falls in love with a street thug.

Aug 25, 2022

Full Review

Robin Holabird

Robin Holabird

Jarman's best achievement in the film comes from recreating the staging of Caravaggio paintings. Lighting, colors, and sets mix beautifully along with the faces and figures of such renowned performers as Tilda Swinton and Sean Bean.

Aug 11, 2021

Full Review

Andrew L. Urban

Urban Cinefile

Famed for its fabulously evocative recreation of the light/shade luminosity of Caravaggio's oil paintings, Caravaggio is nevertheless something of a victim of its times....But despite that, it is a wonderfully bold work, simply irresistible to look at

Aug 9, 2008

Full Review

Beth Accomando

KPBS.org

Rated: 3/5

Jan 17, 2008

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Thomas Delapa

Boulder Weekly

Rated: 2/5

Sep 23, 2005

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Eric T

I've never seen such a combination of artist beauty and gritty reality in one film. Each frame is a masterpiece of composition, yet you can almost taste the dust and dirt. All the performances are top notch and the loving recreation of Caravaggio's works makes this a must see for anyone interested in art, especially the art of film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/23

Full Review

John A

This film has some striking imagery and features some great actors in very early roles but I found myself way too bored for a film with a premise like this.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Ori Y

Jerusalem = Caravaggio=Derek Jarman great character setting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Promising start and some artistic flair which is fitting but the constant flitting to modern props and the dreamlike analogies are too much. I lost interest after the first half hour and from then onwards it became a slog to get through. How this made sight and Sound's top 250 films is just plain odd.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

s r

1001 movies to see before you die. A fictionalized contrivance of Carvaggio's work that was a struggle to get through. RUS.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

William L

Interesting and inventive exploration of creativity and sexuality, with visuals clealry emulating Caravaggio's own style, but often comes off as directionless. The period-incorrect use of different elements was certainly an engaging touch, though it may distance period-film purists. (3/5)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/12/20

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Derek Jarman

Director

Nigel Terry

Caravaggio

Sean Bean

Ranuccio

Michael Gough

Cardinal Del Monte

Tilda Swinton

Lena

Nigel Davenport

Giustiniani

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Caravaggio: Trailer 1

1:43

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Synopsis

This fictional portrait of Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Nigel Terry) follows the painter as he wanders the streets, often using prostitutes and homeless people as models for his work, which was lauded in his own time. Involved with two very different lovers, Ranuccio (Sean Bean) and Lena (Tilda Swinton), Caravaggio leads a troubled life in spite of his relative success, with his reckless behavior steering him towards an early grave.

Director: Derek Jarman
Producer: Sarah Radclyffe
Screenwriter: Derek Jarman
Distributor: Zeitgeist Films
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 31, 1986, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 16, 2002
Release Date (Streaming): May 3, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.2K
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)