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Judgement of God

Name: Judgement of God
Director: Raymond Bernard
Released: 1952
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

2.1/10

Limited

1952

Director

Raymond Bernard

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Raymond Bernard’s historical epic is a traditional drama set in the social hierarchies of 15th-century Bavaria. It focuses on the conflict between personal desires and institutional power, particularly through the lens of class and religious authority. The film lacks modern complexity in its portrayal of diverse identities, focusing primarily on a heterosexual romance and the divide between nobility and commoners. While it offers a critique of religious institutions, it does so within a narrow demographic context. Ultimately, the work serves as a period piece that reflects the social constraints of the era, lacking representation of LGBTQ+ identities, racial diversity, or meaningful disability narratives.

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Category Breakdown

Does Judgement of God have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows a strictly heterosexual storyline centered around Prince Albert and Agnès Bernauer. There are no characters with non-binary gender identities or same-sex relationships.

How does Judgement of God portray gender?

Fair

Female characters such as Margravine Josepha and Agnès play crucial roles and provide significant support. However, the plot remains influenced by patriarchal religious structures that lead to the tragic outcome.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Judgement of God?

Limited

Set in 15th-century Bavaria, the film features a predominantly white cast reflecting the historical demographics of the time. The narrative highlights class differences between nobility and commoners rather than ethnic diversity.

How does Judgement of God represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film critiques the corruption within religious institutions through characters like Brother Enrique and the Inquisition. It examines the tension between personal freedom and the strict authority of feudal systems.

Does Judgement of God include disability representation?

Minimal

Physical traits such as flat feet and skin conditions are used as superficial plot devices. These characteristics are employed to justify the protagonist's rejection of Princess Bertha without providing nuanced representation of disabilities.

Present on Screen

Critiques religious and aristocratic institutional power.
Highlights the pivotal roles of female characters.
Explores the tension between personal autonomy and state authority.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and non-conforming gender roles.
Uses physical traits as narrative tools for rejection without nuanced disability representation.
Operates within a historically homogeneous European framework with limited ethnic diversity.

Official Synopsis

Bavaria, 1433. Reason of state rules that Prince Albert is to marry Princess Bertha of Wurtemberg. But the fine-looking young man is loath to become the husband of a woman with pimples,flat feet and no breast. Nevertheless, he has to obey his authoritarian father, Duke Ernest, and accompanied by faithful Count Törring, he mounts his steed and sets out for Würtemberg. Stopping in Augsburg, he falls in love with the daughter of a local barber-surgeon, pure and beautiful Agnès Bernauer. The couple is soon secretly married and both take refuge at the castle of Margravine Josepha, Albert's aunt, waiting for Ernest's consent. Unluckily Albert's father will not accept his son's union with a commoner and Albert, supported by Josepha and an army of common people, declares war on the Duke. They seem about to be victorious when Brother Enrique, a monk formerly in the Holy Inquisition, finds a way to reverse the situation: accusing Agnès of witchcraft...

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