Caravaggio **** (1986, Nigel Terry, Sean Bean, Tilda Swinton, Nigel Davenport, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gough, Garry Cooper, Dexter Fletcher) – Classic Movie Review 4988

Writer-director Derek Jarman’s ­1986 fictionalised biographical drama Caravaggio stars Nigel Terry as the Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, born 1573, who lies dying in 1610 and thinks back over his life, work and love for his model Ranuccio Thomasoni (Sean Bean) and Thomasoni’s mistress Lena (Tilda Swinton). Beginning affairs with both of them leads to deceit and murder.

Jarman’s fancifully imagined biopic is filmed with an unexpected intensity, beauty and conviction. The acting by Jarman regulars Terry and Swinton, plus co-stars Sean Bean, Nigel Davenport (as Giustiniani), Robbie Coltrane (as Scipione Borghese), Michael Gough (as Cardinal Del Monte), Garry Cooper (as Davide), Spencer Leigh (as Jerusaleme), Dexter Fletcher (as the Young Caravaggio), Jonathan Hyde and Jack Birkett (as The Pope) is of a high calibre.

And Jarman, very secure in his work, has no trouble bringing off the deliberate anachronisms and modern thoughts on the tale.

Gabriel Beristain’s gorgeous, painterly Technicolor cinematography accurately and excitingly reflects Caravaggio’s own eye-catching use of chiaroscuro. Once again, the director (supported by the BFI and Channel 4) turns his budgetary restraints into virtues. He had a budget of just £450,000. What would Jarman have done if he had a full-scale budget?

Noam Almaz plays the Boy Caravaggio. It was filmed at Limehouse Studios, London. The score is by Simon Fisher Turner and the production is designed by Christopher Hobbs, who also made the copies of Caravaggio paintings seen in the film.

Caravaggio is Jarman’s first project with Tilda Swinton, in her film debut, and it is also Sean Bean’s debut. The Two Fat Ladies celebrity chef Jennifer Paterson (3 April 1928 – 10 August 1999) is an extra. The film won the Silver Bear for an outstanding single achievement at the 36th Berlin International Film Festival.

The cast are Noam Almaz as Boy Caravaggio, Dawn Archibald as Pipo, Sean Bean as Ranuccio, Jack Birkett as The Pope, Sadie Corre as Princess Colonna, Una Brandon-Jones as Weeping Woman, Imogen Claire as Lady with the Jewels, Robbie Coltrane as Scipione Borghese, Garry Cooper as Davide, Lol Coxhill as Old Priest, Nigel Davenport as Giustiniani, Vernon Dobtcheff as Art Lover, Terry Downes as Bodyguard, Dexter Fletcher as Young Caravaggio, Michael Gough as Cardinal Del Monte, Jonathan Hyde as Baglione, Spencer Leigh as Jerusaleme, Emile Nicolaou as Young Jerusaleme, Gene October as Model Peeling Fruit, Cindy Oswin as Lady Elizabeth, John Rogan as Vatican Official, Zohra Sehgal as Jerusaleme’s Grandmother, Tilda Swinton as Lena, Lucien Taylor as Boy with Guitar, Nigel Terry as Caravaggio, and Simon Fisher Turner as Fra Filippo.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 4988

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