Watch Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen

Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen is a German historical film, released in 2009, directed by Margarethe von Trotta. The film takes us on an incredible voyage through the life of Hildegard von Bingen, a woman of great vision, strength, and determination, who lived in the 12th century. The film begins with young Hildegard (Hannah Herzsprung) being sent to the Monastery of Disibodenberg where she is placed under the care of Jutta von Sponheim (Lena Stolze). Jutta is a seer and has been living in the monastery for over a decade as an anchorite, a form of religious enclosure. It is here that Hildegard begins to develop her own visions, and eventually, start to share them with Jutta.

As the years pass by, Hildegard (now played by Barbara Sukowa) becomes the prioress of the monastery and starts experiencing more powerful visions that are both divine and apocalyptic in nature. She also develops a unique form of medicine based on her understanding of nature and the human body. Her achievements and teachings lead her to become a renowned and respected spiritual leader, despite being a woman in a time when women had no authority.

The film also touches upon her strained relationship with her biological family, as well as her ongoing battles with the male-dominated institutions of the Catholic Church. These struggles only add to her legacy and influence, as she produces a body of work that includes theological writings, medical texts, and musical compositions.

The movie is visually stunning, capturing the beauty of the German countryside against the backdrop of a religious and feudal society. The acting is superb, with Sukowa delivering a powerful and nuanced performance as the titular character. The supporting cast also delivers, with Heino Ferch as Volmar, Hildegard's confidant, advisor and friend in the face of battles with church authority/hierarchy.

The movie also does not shy away from showing the darker side of medieval life. It highlights the superstitions, ignorance, and prejudices of the time. It portrays how the church can be corrupted when authority is abused to maintain power and control.

Overall, Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen is an exceptional biopic of a remarkable woman who defied the conventions of her time, produced exceptional work that still resonates today and continues to inspire generations of theologians, scientists, and musicians. It's beautifully crafted, thought-provoking, and inspirational.

Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 68.