The Name Of The Rose

The Name Of The Rose is being released as a dual format UHD/Blu-ray package by Second Sight Films, along with single UHD and Blu-rays. Director Jean-Jacques Annaud's 1986 adaptation of Umberto Eco first novel kick started Christian Slater's career and, along with The Untouchables, reinvigorated Sean Connery's flagging one (Highlander also helped, gaining, for some reason, cult status on VHS). In the UK its existence probably helped with having Ellis Peters' Cadfael novels greenlit for TV.

William of Baskerville (Connery) and Adso of Melk (Slater), a novice monk in his tutelage, become embroiled in the investigation of a number of strange deaths at a monastery in northern Italy. The 14th Century detective duo and murder mystery are the hooks that draws the audience into something more esoteric.

This review is for the standard Blu-ray, however the Blu-ray and UHD version do have same special features. This version looks good on screen. From the snowy landscapes and night scenes full of fire to the complex Escher-like labyrinth that is the library, Annaud's vision is fully realised.

There are two audio commentaries. The first is by author and director James Marsh. It is fairly standard, a bit stilted and not particularly enlightening.

Annaud does the second one. It is one of the best commentaries found on disc. Not only is what he says interesting, but he understands how to be dramatic and entertaining. What he says is structured and he knows when to stop speaking in order to let a scene play out.

There are three interviews, with Christian Slater, Ron Perlman and script writer Andrew Birkin: A Boy And His Dog, Bringing The Mustard and Liquidating The Disk. The titles of these will become apparent as you watch them. Slater talks quite frankly about his first film; you can see how it might have affected his later life. Perlman, it's mostly the way he approached Salvatore.

Finally there is The Abbey Of Crime, a German on-set documentary about the film. Its subtitling is a little ropey, jumping from the top to the bottom of the screen, which can make it hard to read, especially on a large screen.

Many people love The Name Of The Rose as a film. Those who do will get a lot out the special features on these discs.

Reviewed on: 08 Aug 2026