The Staircase (1998 film)

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The Staircase
Based on The Staircase
by Ann Rinaldi
Written byChristopher Lofton
Directed by Karen Arthur
Starring Barbara Hershey
William Petersen
Music by David Michael Frank
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersMarty Eli Schwartz
Art Levinson (uncredited)
CinematographyTom Neuwirth
EditorCraig Bassett
Running time96 minutes
Production companiesBWE Distribution
Craig Anderson Productions
TeleVest Entertainment
Original release
Network CBS
ReleaseApril 12, 1998 (1998-04-12)

The Staircase is a 1998 American television film about the story of the spiral staircase, believed by some to be miraculously built, at the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It stars Barbara Hershey as Mother Madalyn in charge of the chapel and William Petersen as Joad, the traveling carpenter with spiritual talent as well as woodworking skill. [1] It is based on the novel, The Staircase by Ann Rinaldi.

Contents

Plot

The sisters of the legendary Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe are nearing completion of a chapel, but the architect, contractor and laborers have all omitted stairs to the choir loft. This becomes a source of disagreement and contention between all parties until one day a mysterious drifter, Joad, arrives in town and is hired by the Reverend Mother Madalyn to design and build the staircase.

Cast

Reception

Variety said, "A heavily fictionalized recounting of a real-life event that still defies explanation, “The Staircase” is a fascinating anecdote stretched to fit what are evidently thought to be modern tastes." [2]

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References

  1. "The Staircase (IMDB)". IMDb.
  2. Everett, Todd (April 8, 1998). "The Staircase". Variety. Retrieved April 9, 2024.