Conclave by German director and screenwriter Edward Berger is based on the 2016 bestseller by Robert Harris. The thriller set in the Vatican stars Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal who, while managing the election of a new Pope, is also investigating the sudden death of his predecessor. As he organizes and presides over the conclave to elect the new Pontiff, and the 118 most powerful cardinals of the Catholic Church lock themselves in the Vatican for the vote, he must navigate power games, intrigue, alliances and mysteries.
The US-UK co-production shot in Rome; at Cinecittà Studios, where many sets were built; and in the Royal Palace of Caserta, whose rooms stood in for the Vatican, for three days of filming. Immediately recognizable and iconic images of the former Bourbon residence designed by the architect Luigi Vanvitelli include the 116 marble steps of the royal staircase, the perfect synthesis of classical rigour and Baroque theatricality.
Previously used by Ron Howard in Angels & Demons (2016) with Tom Hanks, the Royal Staircase, which leads to the Royal Apartments, provided the setting for an evocative scene where the group of cardinals process towards the conclave. In 2018, the Palace was used for the Vatican by another international production - Fernando Meirelles’ The two Popes with Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce as Ratzinger and Bergoglio - where the Staircase features in a sequence where the cardinals climb the steps heading to the Palatine Chapel, which stands in for the Sistine Chapel where the conclave actually takes place. Again in 2005, the Royal Palace of Caserta was the Vatican for the miniseries John Paul II, directed by John Kent Harrison and broadcast in Italy on RAIUNO.
Conclave by German director and screenwriter Edward Berger is based on the 2016 bestseller by Robert Harris. The thriller set in the Vatican stars Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal who, while managing the election of a new Pope, is also investigating the sudden death of his predecessor. As he organizes and presides over the conclave to elect the new Pontiff, and the 118 most powerful cardinals of the Catholic Church lock themselves in the Vatican for the vote, he must navigate power games, intrigue, alliances and mysteries.
The US-UK co-production shot in Rome; at Cinecittà Studios, where many sets were built; and in the Royal Palace of Caserta, whose rooms stood in for the Vatican, for three days of filming. Immediately recognizable and iconic images of the former Bourbon residence designed by the architect Luigi Vanvitelli include the 116 marble steps of the royal staircase, the perfect synthesis of classical rigour and Baroque theatricality.
Previously used by Ron Howard in Angels & Demons (2016) with Tom Hanks, the Royal Staircase, which leads to the Royal Apartments, provided the setting for an evocative scene where the group of cardinals process towards the conclave. In 2018, the Palace was used for the Vatican by another international production - Fernando Meirelles’ The two Popes with Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce as Ratzinger and Bergoglio - where the Staircase features in a sequence where the cardinals climb the steps heading to the Palatine Chapel, which stands in for the Sistine Chapel where the conclave actually takes place. Again in 2005, the Royal Palace of Caserta was the Vatican for the miniseries John Paul II, directed by John Kent Harrison and broadcast in Italy on RAIUNO.
Following the sudden death of a beloved and much-mourned Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading the delicate task of electing his successor. When the most powerful leaders of the Catholic Church gather to lock themselves in the secret halls of the Vatican, Lawrence discovers that he is trapped in a web of intrigue, betrayal and power games. A dark secret comes to light, threatening to shake the very foundations of the Church.
