Nostradamus

Nostradamus is a historical drama about the sixteenth-century French physician and astrologer Michel de Nostredame, who became known for predictions he published in almanacs and a book of verses. The film follows him from his medical training and his efforts to treat plague victims through his rise to prominence at the French court. His visions and writings bring him into conflict with the Inquisition, while powerful figures, including Catherine de Medici, offer him protection. Much of the story turns on the tension between his scientific work, his prophetic reputation and the dangers that reputation creates for him.

Roger Christian directed the film, which was written by Knut Boeser. It was released in August 1994 and runs 119 minutes. Produced across Germany, the United Kingdom, Romania and France on a budget of about 20 million dollars, it was Christian's fourth feature, following Black Angel, The Sender and Lorca and the Outlaws, and preceding Battlefield Earth. Tchéky Karyo plays Nostradamus, with F. Murray Abraham as Scalinger, Rutger Hauer as a mystic monk, Amanda Plummer as Catherine de Medici, Julia Ormond as Marie and Assumpta Serna as Anne.

Audience response has been modest: the film holds a rating of 5.8 out of 10 on IMDb from roughly 3,300 votes, and the same score on TMDB from a much smaller base of 83 votes.