An interesting period movie set against the Catholic inquisition against Jews in the late 15th century.
SPOILERS FOLLOWING
That aspect however has relatively little to do with the movie. It is more to do with the wiles of a scheming woman (Isabel - Katherine Borowitz) to steal what was at the time, top secret technology - how Venetian glass was made - and to take it to the outside world, no doubt for a huge profit.
What starts out as a tale of courage and survival in the face of adversity - Isabel is left with the charge of her younger sister Clara (Tara Fitzgerald) while the two are still little girls - ends as a tragedy, with Isabel's execution by drowning. The real tragedy is not that she got caught for her attempted theft, but _how_ she got caught. Betrayed by Clara in a moment of blind rage, range induced by Isabel herself because of the measures she had resorted to, to manipulate her sister into complying with her plan. Better leave some surprises - see the movie for particulars.
It was interesting to see Anton Rodgers, better known to me for his role in the British comedy series Fresh Fields, in the role of villain.
I found it surprising how much IMDb has upgraded the rating above its arithmetic average - with most other movies, its the opposite, a downgrading. Something to do with the small number of votes? I gave it a 6/10.
SPOILERS FOLLOWING
That aspect however has relatively little to do with the movie. It is more to do with the wiles of a scheming woman (Isabel - Katherine Borowitz) to steal what was at the time, top secret technology - how Venetian glass was made - and to take it to the outside world, no doubt for a huge profit.
What starts out as a tale of courage and survival in the face of adversity - Isabel is left with the charge of her younger sister Clara (Tara Fitzgerald) while the two are still little girls - ends as a tragedy, with Isabel's execution by drowning. The real tragedy is not that she got caught for her attempted theft, but _how_ she got caught. Betrayed by Clara in a moment of blind rage, range induced by Isabel herself because of the measures she had resorted to, to manipulate her sister into complying with her plan. Better leave some surprises - see the movie for particulars.
It was interesting to see Anton Rodgers, better known to me for his role in the British comedy series Fresh Fields, in the role of villain.
I found it surprising how much IMDb has upgraded the rating above its arithmetic average - with most other movies, its the opposite, a downgrading. Something to do with the small number of votes? I gave it a 6/10.