Product Details

• Actors: Derek de Lint, Kim Thomson, Denholm Elliott, Bernard Hepton, Kenneth Cranham
• Directors: Clive Donner
• Writers: Chris Bryant, Marion Meade
• Producers: Andros Epaminondas, Simon MacCorkindale, Susan George
• Format: Director's Cut, Special Edition, NTSC
• Rated: Unrated
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: M.C.E.G./Virgin Visi
• VHS Release Date: May 17, 1989
• Run Time: 115 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630127962X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,554 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A classic retelling. . ., February 14, 2005

By 

David Zampino "21st Century Hobbit" (Delavan, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stealing Heaven [VHS] (VHS Tape)

. . .of one of the greatest -- and most tragic -- love stories of all time.

The tragic love affair (and its consequences) between the noted theologian Peter Abelard and the brilliant Heloise is artfully brought to the screen in the adaptation of the novel by the same name. The casting and cinematograhy were supurb.

Two versions of this film exist on videotape. The unrated version is by far the best, although EXTREMELY graphic. The "R" rated version toned the explicit material down significantly -- but also cut much material which had nothing to do with any "racy" scenes, and really did damage to the plot line.

As an additional "plus", some of the historical liberties which the author of the novel took (see my review for details) were greatly toned down in the film.

An enjoyable, historical film -- but not for everyone. If you can't handle the explicit material, don't bother with the edited version. Too much was cut out.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars History and passion meet, June 24, 2001

By 

Robin McDonald (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stealing Heaven [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I did not know the story of Heloise and Abelard before seeing this movie. The story is based on letters of a 12th century couple who had a very passionate relationship who are eventually separated by social and religious forces that inevitably lead each into lives of celebacy. Yet they maintained a lengthly long distance relationship relating to each other their continued passion for each other and sexual longing. The story is by its nature very erotic and the film was given an X rating in its full form. The R rated version is pretty much the same but the film is cropped a bit to mask the male and female naughty bits. However the directors cut is not so explicit as to be considered pornographic. The film is historically interesting and by the end you will have an education on the story of Heloise and Abelard from their meeting to the grave. The film is beautifully captured with pretty cinematography and nice authentic looking period sets and costuming. The film sets up an interesting relationship of Abelard who most believes in pursuing God and Heloise who most believes in pursuing happiness. The reason the film works on any level is Kim Thompson as Heloise. She possesses a glorious mane of Irish red hair, delicate facial features, beautiful transparent skin and slender feminine figure. But beyond that she conveys a clever alert mind and a passion about her intellect that matches her passion elsewhere in the film. With the exception of Denholm Elliot playing Fulbert as the fly in their romance, most of the other performances are less invigorating. The story does an adequate job of dramatizing the letters. But the centerpiece of the film is the well shot and set up lovemaking of two people who wrestle with their minds first before wrestling their bodies... which is very sexy. (If possible this film would rate 3 and a half stars.)

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Abelard & Heloise Lives!, September 20, 2004

By 

Brent Romero (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stealing Heaven (DVD)

To all of you romantics at heart, this movie overshadows all of those fictional love stories. "Stealing Heaven" immerses you in the religious and superstitious culture of 12th century France and puts their tragic love story into an accurate context which helps you to more fully appreciate the depth of their unshakeable love, devotion, sacrifice, and utter passion for one another.

I've recently had the pleasure of visiting their graves at Pere la Chaise in Paris and the sight of them lying there side by side is one I'll never forget. It drives home the reality that they really did exist and that they truly will be together for all eternity. We should all be so lucky!