Quiet as a Nun
Encyclopedia
Quiet as a Nun is a thriller novel, written by Antonia Fraser
. First published in 1977, it features Fraser's sleuthing heroine Jemima Shore
as she revisits the convent where she was schooled following the mysterious death of one of the nuns. A six part television dramatisation of the book (written by Julia Jones) was featured as part of ITV's anthology series Armchair Thriller
in 1978.
The tower has specific significance to the order, as it was the original convent building. The tower and the ancient history of the order are recorded in the Treasury of the Blessed Eleanor, a manuscript which is referenced throughout the story. Though it is never stated explicitly, Blessed Eleanor is presumed to be Eleanor of Aquitaine
, the once Queen of England.
Television reporter Jemima Shore is an old school friend of Sister Miriam, who was also known as Rosabelle Powerstock and was heiress to "the Powers fortune", one of the largest fortunes in Britain. Jemima is invited back to the convent by Reverend Mother Ancilla, where she uncovers a number of mysteries, including the suggestion that Miriam, whose family owned the convent lands, may have written a second will bequeathing them away from the Order, and into the hands of another charity.
The tension builds when the girls at the convent school tell Jemima that the Black Nun - a malevolent faceless spectre reputed to appear whenever a death is about to take place within the grounds - was seen just prior to Sister Miriam's death, and has been sighted again.
in 1978, as part of the Armchair Thriller
series. The adaptation starred Maria Aitken
as Jemima Shore, along with Renée Asherson
(Mother Ancilla), Brenda Bruce
(Sister Elizabeth) and Sylvia Coleridge
(Sister Boniface). Patsy Kensit
, then a young child, plays one of the convent schoolgirls, Tessa Justin, who has a significant role in the final two episodes.
The final minutes of the third episode, aired on 18th April 1978, are still regarded as one of the most chilling moments on British television, noteworthy because the series was transmitted before the traditional 9pm 'watershed
', the demarcation line in British television scheduling between family-friendly and adults-only viewing. In the scene, Jemima Shore goes into the Tower alone at nighttime. As she climbs into the attic, she encounters the faceless Black Nun sitting in a rocking chair. Jemima screams as the Black Nun advances towards her, bringing the episode to an end. The scene was ranked 63rd in Channel 4
's Top 100 Scary Moments list.
released Armchair Thriller
on DVD, both in separate volumes for each story and as an 11-disc set featuring all of the episodes produced by Thames Television.
Antonia Fraser
Lady Antonia Margaret Caroline Fraser, DBE , née Pakenham, is an Anglo-Irish author of history, novels, biographies and detective fiction, best known as Antonia Fraser...
. First published in 1977, it features Fraser's sleuthing heroine Jemima Shore
Jemima Shore
Jemima Shore is a fictional character created by Antonia Fraser, and is portrayed as TV's consummately professional investigative journalist...
as she revisits the convent where she was schooled following the mysterious death of one of the nuns. A six part television dramatisation of the book (written by Julia Jones) was featured as part of ITV's anthology series Armchair Thriller
Armchair Thriller
Armchair Thriller is a British television programme, broadcast on ITV in two series in 1978 and 1980. Owing something to some of the off-shoots of the earlier Armchair Theatre, the new series used scripts adapted from published novels and stories. Although not properly a horror series it included...
in 1978.
Plot summary
The novel begins with the death of a nun, Sister Miriam, who apparently starved herself to death in a ruined tower, known as the 'Tower of Ivory', which adjoins the grounds of the Convent of the Blessed Eleanor, a nunnery and an all-girls school.The tower has specific significance to the order, as it was the original convent building. The tower and the ancient history of the order are recorded in the Treasury of the Blessed Eleanor, a manuscript which is referenced throughout the story. Though it is never stated explicitly, Blessed Eleanor is presumed to be Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages. As well as being Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right, she was queen consort of France and of England...
, the once Queen of England.
Television reporter Jemima Shore is an old school friend of Sister Miriam, who was also known as Rosabelle Powerstock and was heiress to "the Powers fortune", one of the largest fortunes in Britain. Jemima is invited back to the convent by Reverend Mother Ancilla, where she uncovers a number of mysteries, including the suggestion that Miriam, whose family owned the convent lands, may have written a second will bequeathing them away from the Order, and into the hands of another charity.
The tension builds when the girls at the convent school tell Jemima that the Black Nun - a malevolent faceless spectre reputed to appear whenever a death is about to take place within the grounds - was seen just prior to Sister Miriam's death, and has been sighted again.
Television adaptation
Quiet as a Nun was adapted for television by ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in 1978, as part of the Armchair Thriller
Armchair Thriller
Armchair Thriller is a British television programme, broadcast on ITV in two series in 1978 and 1980. Owing something to some of the off-shoots of the earlier Armchair Theatre, the new series used scripts adapted from published novels and stories. Although not properly a horror series it included...
series. The adaptation starred Maria Aitken
Maria Aitken
Maria Penelope Katharine Aitken is an English actress, writer, producer and director.Aitken was born in Dublin, the daughter of Sir William Aitken, a Conservative MP, and socialite Penelope Aitken, whose father was John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby. She is a great-niece of newspaper magnate and...
as Jemima Shore, along with Renée Asherson
Renee Asherson
Renée Asherson , born Dorothy Renée Ascherson, is an English actress of stage, film and television.Much of Asherson's theatrical career was spent in Shakespearean plays, appearing at such venues as the Old Vic, the Liverpool Playhouse and the Westminster Theatre...
(Mother Ancilla), Brenda Bruce
Brenda Bruce
Brenda Bruce was a British actress. She had a long and successful career in the theatre, radio, film, and television.-Early life:Brenda Bruce was born in Manchester...
(Sister Elizabeth) and Sylvia Coleridge
Sylvia Coleridge
Sylvia Coleridge was a British stage, radio and television actress.-Career:Her acting credits include: Out of the Unknown, The Avengers, Paul Temple, The Lotus Eaters, Ace of Wands, The Tomorrow People, Z Cars, Public Eye, Sutherland's Law, Dixon of Dock Green, The Onedin Line, Doctor Who Sylvia...
(Sister Boniface). Patsy Kensit
Patsy Kensit
Patricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit is an English actress, singer, model and former child star, known for her television and film appearances. Her films include Lethal Weapon 2 and she has been married to rock stars Jim Kerr and Liam Gallagher, as well as herself fronting the band Eighth Wonder...
, then a young child, plays one of the convent schoolgirls, Tessa Justin, who has a significant role in the final two episodes.
The final minutes of the third episode, aired on 18th April 1978, are still regarded as one of the most chilling moments on British television, noteworthy because the series was transmitted before the traditional 9pm 'watershed
Watershed (television)
In television, the term watershed denotes the time period in a television schedule during which programs with adult content can air....
', the demarcation line in British television scheduling between family-friendly and adults-only viewing. In the scene, Jemima Shore goes into the Tower alone at nighttime. As she climbs into the attic, she encounters the faceless Black Nun sitting in a rocking chair. Jemima screams as the Black Nun advances towards her, bringing the episode to an end. The scene was ranked 63rd in Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's Top 100 Scary Moments list.
Episodes and original airdates
- Part One: The Tower - 11 April 1978
- Part Two: The Chapel - 13 April 1978
- Part Three: The Black Nun - 18 April 1978
- Part Four: Witness And Wills - 20 April 1978
- Part Five: Powers Of Darkness - 25 April 1978
- Part Six: Death And Decision - 27 April 1978
Cast
- Maria AitkenMaria AitkenMaria Penelope Katharine Aitken is an English actress, writer, producer and director.Aitken was born in Dublin, the daughter of Sir William Aitken, a Conservative MP, and socialite Penelope Aitken, whose father was John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby. She is a great-niece of newspaper magnate and...
as Jemima Shore - Renée AshersonRenee AshersonRenée Asherson , born Dorothy Renée Ascherson, is an English actress of stage, film and television.Much of Asherson's theatrical career was spent in Shakespearean plays, appearing at such venues as the Old Vic, the Liverpool Playhouse and the Westminster Theatre...
as Mother Ancilla - Brenda BruceBrenda BruceBrenda Bruce was a British actress. She had a long and successful career in the theatre, radio, film, and television.-Early life:Brenda Bruce was born in Manchester...
as Sister Elizabeth - David Burke as Tony Amyas, MP
- James LaurensonJames LaurensonJames Laurenson is a New Zealand actor, who has performed many classical roles on stage and television.Laurenson was born in Marton, New Zealand...
as Alexander Skarbek - Doran Goodwin as Sister Lucy
- Margaret D'arcy as Sister Clare
- Kate Binchy as Sister Edward
- Linda Slater as Dodo
- Sarah WebbSarah WebbSarah Kathleen Webb Gosling OBE is a British professional sailor and two-time Olympic gold medalist.-Sailing career:...
as Margaret - Michelle Winstanley as Blanche
- Patsy KensitPatsy KensitPatricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit is an English actress, singer, model and former child star, known for her television and film appearances. Her films include Lethal Weapon 2 and she has been married to rock stars Jim Kerr and Liam Gallagher, as well as herself fronting the band Eighth Wonder...
as Tessa Justin - Catrina Hylton as Mandy Justin
- Mary Healey as Beatrice O'Dowd
- James Appleby as Joe
- Susan EngelSusan EngelSusan Engel is a British actress.-Theatre:Engel's work in theatre includes: Angels in America , Richard III, King Lear , The Good Person of Sezuan, Watch on the Rhine , Spring Awakening, The Hour We Knew Nothing Of Each Other and Her Naked Skin at the National Theatre, London; Women...
as Sister Agnes - Sylvia ColeridgeSylvia ColeridgeSylvia Coleridge was a British stage, radio and television actress.-Career:Her acting credits include: Out of the Unknown, The Avengers, Paul Temple, The Lotus Eaters, Ace of Wands, The Tomorrow People, Z Cars, Public Eye, Sutherland's Law, Dixon of Dock Green, The Onedin Line, Doctor Who Sylvia...
as Sister Boniface
Crew
- Julia JonesJulia Jones (screen writer)Julia Jones is a British screen writer whose works include Quiet as a Nun and the BBC's Miss Marple TV series.-References:...
- writer, adaptation - Moira ArmstrongMoira ArmstrongMoira Armstrong is an English television director who has worked mainly for the BBC..Her credits include episodes of Armchair Thriller , Lark Rise to Candleford, Where the Heart Is, The Bill, Midsomer Murders, Something in Disguise, The Wednesday Play, and Adam Adamant Lives!, as well as the film...
- director - Jacqueline Davis - producer
- Bill PalmerBill PalmerBill Palmer invented a 'quint' system which was later patented by Titano as used in their line of converter bass accordions.He made many written contributions to magazines for the promotion of the Piano Accordion, including Accordion World...
- production designer - Roger Webb - music
- Robert Banks StewartRobert Banks StewartRobert Banks Stewart is a former writer for television, now retired.He began as a story editor at Pinewood Studios and for Thames Television where he contributed scripts to the programmes Callan, Special Branch, The Sweeney and Owner Occupied.He also wrote The Avengers scripts The Master Minds...
- script editor
DVD release
In 2008, Network DVDNetwork DVD
Network DVD is a DVD publishing company that specialises in classic British television. In particular, it has the rights to a number of well-known ITV programmes...
released Armchair Thriller
Armchair Thriller
Armchair Thriller is a British television programme, broadcast on ITV in two series in 1978 and 1980. Owing something to some of the off-shoots of the earlier Armchair Theatre, the new series used scripts adapted from published novels and stories. Although not properly a horror series it included...
on DVD, both in separate volumes for each story and as an 11-disc set featuring all of the episodes produced by Thames Television.