The downside first: Stealing Heaven suffers from a low budget, a poor sound-track, and the film itself has not worn well. The colors are alternately too muted and too bright to be realistic. It does have the look of a low-budget, European 80's film. Consider yourself warned. That said, however, given the limitations, Stealing Heaven is one of the better portrayals of a neglected time and of an incredible pair of people. The story is based on the known facts of the love affair and marriage of Heloise and Abelard: that she studied with him (and new evidence calls into question the age difference between them), that he was celibate by custom, but not law, while he taught in Paris; that one or the other of them seduced the other; that Heloise refused marriage as a matter of principle, even after bearing Peter Abelard's child, an unthinkable act in the 12th century. That her uncle, not trusting Abelard, had him castrated, and that Heloise reluctantly entered a convent and made the best of it when Abelard requested it of her. There is a significant amount of speculation, because there is not a lot known, about their lives, and at the time of the making, less still than now. The pacing is typically European - and effective for the story. The romance between Heloise and Peter did not develop over night, and while it was effectively ended that way, their relationship endured in fits and starts. The true strength of this film is Heloise, as she appeared to have been in the real pairing. She's definitely a woman not fitted to her time, far more independently minded than many women would attain for nearly a thousand years. The students, too, are pleasant comic relief.

Long and silly would-be masterpiece that focuses on the forbidden 12th-Century romance of French historical figures Abelard (Derek de Lint) and Heloise (Kim Thomson). The first is a noted tutor/philosopher who teaches young men via Catholic doctrines while the latter is a seductive and youthful lady who comes to Paris to live with her uncle (Denholm Elliott of the "Indiana Jones" trilogy fame). Naturally the two have a teacher/student relationship at first, but we all know that their carnal lusts will soon take over with tragic results. Based entirely on fact, the movie plays more like a Shakespearean-styled soap opera of dull situations and duller results. The movie drags at a snail's pace and finally overcomes the novel's meanderings late, but by that time it was too late. Even the art direction and costume design look somewhat cheap and mediocre. 2 stars out of 5.

Rarely does a period piece follow so faithfully it's sources. This film brings Marion Meade's novel to life with amazing precision. Based heavily on the letters of Heloise to Abelard after they both took holy orders, the story encapsulates the warring philosophies of the era against the backdrop of the religious fervor of the middle ages.If you have read the "Letters" of Heloise, you will be drawn into this faithful characterization. If you haven't read them - you'll want to! Beware though - her letters are hot and "smutty". Lanwench's description of this movie as a "bodice ripper" just reveals that s/he's never read the historical sources.The drawback to this film is that the character of Abelard is drawn mostly from Heloise's point of view without the tempering of his own letters. He comes off quite more romantic than his letters reveal.The sets and costuming are in period with so few anachronisms that even a medieval scholar can sit back and enjoy the film.One of my all-time favorites

I find myself in total agreement with BlackMonk. This is the ultimate philosophical love story. It attempts to answer the age-old question: What is the purpose of life? Is it to serve God, as Abelard thought, or to pursue happiness on Earth, as Heloise believed?The film makers do a brilliant job of setting up the dramatic conflict between these two views of life. The writing, dialogue, direction, and acting are all first rate. This is one of the greatest movies ever made, and one of history's greatest love stories! Kim Thompson should have received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Heloise. She was Heloise.It amazes me that one little film gimmick, a feather, could be used so brilliantly to help answer one of life's eternal questions. Make sure you pay close attention to the opening scene, one of the greatest scenes in movie history.Enthralling!