The banned erotic vision of St. Teresa that scandalized British censors for decades.
VISIONS OF ECSTASY
Banned for over 20 years
Short film banned for 23 years under UK blasphemy law. The film shows the 16th Century Spanish nun St Teresa of Avila caressing the crucified body of Jesus.
Quick Answer
Visions of Ecstasy is a 1989 United Kingdom drama, history, and horror short film directed by Nigel Wingrove that imagines St. Teresa of Avila's sexual encounters with both another woman and a crucified Jesus Christ.
Programmer's Pick
If you ever wanted to see a film that rattled the censors just by putting a nun and a crucifix in the same frame, Visions of Ecstasy has you covered. Nigel Wingrove’s short is less a narrative and more a feverish tableau—one that left British authorities clutching their pearls for over two decades.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
Visions of Ecstasy is notable as the only film to be refused certification by the British Board of Film Classification on grounds of blasphemy, reflecting the boundaries of religious and sexual representation in late 1980s British cinema.
Cast & Crew
View all →Why Cult
The only film ever refused UK certification solely for blasphemy, remaining banned for 23 years.
Depicts St. Teresa of Avila’s sensual encounters with both Jesus Christ and her own psyche.
An 18-minute, dialogue-free visual meditation blending religious ecstasy with sexuality.
Embraces the erotic nun subgenre with explicit imagery, lesbian themes, and religious iconography.
Scene Gallery
Questions from the Vault
When was Visions of Ecstasy released? +
Visions of Ecstasy was released in 1989.
Who directed Visions of Ecstasy? +
Visions of Ecstasy was directed by Nigel Wingrove.
How long is Visions of Ecstasy? +
Visions of Ecstasy has a runtime of 18 minutes.
What genre is Visions of Ecstasy? +
Visions of Ecstasy is a drama, history, and horror film.
Where can I watch Visions of Ecstasy? +
Visions of Ecstasy is available to stream on SassyFlix.
Trailers & Clips
