---
title: "The Name of the Rose: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-name-of-the-rose/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-name-of-the-rose"
critics_score: 64
critics_reviews: 7
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The Name of the Rose (1986): what the critics said

Critics' score 64 from 7 reviews: 4 positive, 1 mixed, 2 negative.

Most critics respond favourably to The Name of the Rose, with praise clustering around Sean Connery’s authority as William of Baskerville and the film’s richly detailed medieval setting. His performance gives the mystery a compelling centre, even for reviewers unconvinced by the storytelling. The more enthusiastic reviews find an intelligent, inventive whodunit that makes room for questions of faith and medieval thought. Sets and cinematography also earn credit for preserving some of the novel’s depth.

The spread is wide, however, and the chief disagreement concerns whether the mystery sustains its pace and makes sense on screen. Time Out regards the blend of detection and metaphysics as a success, while Variety finds the adaptation confusing and sluggish. The Los Angeles Times likewise faults the editing and lack of urgency, though it values the warmth between William and Adso. Connery and the surroundings attract considerably more agreement than the film’s handling of its story.

## Time Out — AMac

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 

The critic presents the adaptation as an intelligent success. They praise its handling of Umberto Eco’s blend of mystery and medieval metaphysics.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-name-of-the-rose)

## Radio Times — Tom Hutchinson

Rating 4/5. 

The review is positive, praising the film’s ornate visual style and Sean Connery’s commanding performance. It singles out Connery’s deductive brilliance as the force that makes the story work.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-33ei8h/the-name-of-the-rose/)

## Empire — Ian Nathan

Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 

Nathan finds the adaptation a refreshing, inventive whodunit, though its themes may not appeal to everyone. He particularly praises Sean Connery’s compelling performance as William of Baskerville.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/name-rose-review/)

## Los Angeles Times — SHEILA BENSON

Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 1986. 

Benson finds the film ambitious and visually atmospheric but ultimately a soggy, poorly paced mystery. She praises the warmth of the relationship between Connery’s William and Slater’s Adso, while faulting the editing and lack of urgency.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-09-24-ca-8814-story.html)

## Variety — Variety Staff

Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1985. 

The critic calls the adaptation confusing, sluggish, and a failure to bring the story to the screen. Connery’s performance and the abbey’s labyrinthine interiors are singled out as its few strengths.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/1985/film/reviews/the-name-of-the-rose-1200426744/)

## Collider — Liam Gaughan

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 2024. 

Gaughan finds the film an electrifying thriller that provokes thoughtful discussion about faith. He especially praises Sean Connery’s performance and the authority he brings to William of Baskerville.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/sean-connery-the-name-of-the-rose-thriller/)

## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 31 May 2009. 

Kermode finds the film a complex, involving mystery that falls short of its potential. She praises its adaptation, especially how the sets and cinematography restore some of the book’s depth.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-name-of-the-rose-film-review-by-jennie-kermode)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-name-of-the-rose.md