The Baby of Mâcon
Seen it?1993 | 122 min | Drama, History
Monday Morning Maybeearly ratingWhy it’s a Monday Morning Maybe
With just 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, soft box office and little lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Silence, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
In 17th-century Tuscany, a church play is performed for the benefit of young aristocrat Cosimo. In the play, a grotesque old woman gives birth to a beautiful baby boy. The child's older sister is quick to exploit the situation, selling blessings from the baby, and even claiming she's the true mother by virgin birth. However, when she attempts to seduce the bishop's son, the Church exacts a terrible revenge.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsWeak
38% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$90K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 38K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Peter Greenaway
- Julia OrmondThe Daughter
- Ralph FiennesThe Bishop's Son
- Philip StoneThe Bishop
- Jonathan LaceyCosimo Medici
- Don HendersonThe Father Confessor
- Celia GregoryThe Mother Superior
- Jeff NuttallThe Major Domo
- Jessica HynesThe First Midwife (as Jessica Stevenson)
- Kathryn HunterThe Second Midwife
- Gabrielle ReidyThe Third Midwife