While watching a play on stage concerning the events around a "miraculous" birth, the pretend story begins to become real, however the audience isn't always aware of whats real and whats not leading to some tragic consequences.

Hated by many, loved by others this is a tough film to watch. Most people will point to the rape that happens late in the film as an endurance test, others will point to some of the other nasty acts. I find the film hard to take because all of the characters are basically hateful. I don't think there is anyone we truly like anywhere in the film. To be certain we feel for some more than others, but everyone has an edge that keeps us distant. I like the film on many levels simply because the film provokes strong reactions and makes you think about what you are seeing.

To be honest the film isn't perfect, as I said the film isn't filled with likable people, and the film also suffers in that one of its key points, that we as an audience sometimes take what we perceive to be entertainment too lightly, has been picked up and done almost to death thanks to reality shows, subsequent movies and just a casual looking at the media. That said the film still is a kick in the pants thanks to Greenaway's wizardry at putting the story on screen.

Not for the squeamish or those upset by nasty acts including a never ending rape, this is worth a look for those who want to be challenged as to how we see the world.

I'm not entirely sure what to say. The costume design and set design is phenomenal, and even extravagant. The very concept is simply grand - a play within a film, ostensibly performed in mid-17th century France. From that premise follows strong attention to detail of stagecraft, with set pieces, stage hands, and practical effects completing the illusion. The very screenplay much more echoes the penmanship of a playwright than a film-maker. Even before truly taking into account the content, 'The baby of Macon' is a marvel.

Hand in hand with substantial nudity, blood, and general violence walks content warnings for infanticide, gore, and far more so for sexual assault. Profound overarching themes present of corruption - of society, of the church, of the human soul; of exploitation and manipulation; of deserved ruination, on any and all levels, as a consequence of ill deeds of any severity; of mercy, cruelty, greed, and of superstition correlating with belief in religion and miracles. It's not wholly wrong to call 'The baby of Macon' a nihilistic picture. Yet all the ideas it broaches are all realized with exquisite work from all departments, including effects, props, makeup, and hair. Peter Greenaway's orchestration of scenes is as outstanding as his writing, and also arranges some fine shots with his camerawork. Lighting is also used in many ways to only further enhance the spectacle before us.

And this is all to say nothing of the cast, who are all gratifyingly excellent. From the smallest supporting parts to the main roles, everyone involved readily inhabits their characters, bringing them to life with all due poise, range, and dynamism. I've never seen Ralph Fiennes quite like this, no matter what other roles one may bring to compare, nor Philip Stone. This goes most of all for Julia Ormond, turning in a fierce, riveting performance - her feature film debut! - as "the daughter," to the point that I'm frankly shocked that there wasn't so much as a single award nomination to come from her portrayal. Ormond above all, but again, I think everyone on hand - cast, and crew - exceeded all possible expectations.

The film pointedly blurs the boundaries between player and spectator, theater and "reality," from the very beginning through to the very end. This defiance of "the fourth wall" makes the picture a bit difficult to latch onto at first, yet it becomes increasingly engrossing. And that same disregard for convention also makes pivotal scenes all the more entrancing and impactful - to the point that further renders the feature's most singularly shocking sequence with it an added measure of ghastly disbelief on par with the opening scene of Sion Sono's 'Suicide Club.' Although, what one considers most jolting will be tested, as 'The baby of Macon' offers more than one contender.

The magnificent visual display, the thematic material, the writing, the performances, the technical craft - in every possible aspect, this is utterly captivating, and low-key mesmerizing, no matter how grisly it may get. I began watching with no particular expectations, and have been confounded in the most welcome of manners by what I've seen. For the unquestionable gruesomeness and weight of the content, this is hardly a picture to recommend to all comers. But I find it to be as fascinating and bewitching, and I'm thrilled to have come across this movie, however belatedly. 'The baby of Macon' is a disturbing, dreary, and often devastatingly extreme tableau, yet so awe-inspiring in its macabre pageantry as to be dazzling and transfixing. Wherever one may find it, this is well worth seeking out.

Peter Greenaway is one of the most unique directors at work in cinematic arthouse today.He made several truly original movies like "The Falls"(1980),"A Zed and Two Noughts"(1985),"The Pillow Book"(1997) etc."The Baby of Macon" is pretty demented with the scenes of cannibalism,incest,rape and gore.The film is difficult,challenging,brutal and darkly beautiful.A baby is born from a supposed virgin woman,so a chain of hysteria about divine intervention in the birth takes place.The scene when stunningly beautiful Julia Ormond is gang-raped is really hard to watch-it is not graphic,but her agonizing screams are quite convincing.Highly recommended if you want to see totally challenging piece of art.