Continuity mistake: In Abbe's dream, when he and Madeleine are making love, the position of their heads changes from being face to face in all the side shots, to side by side (so we can see Madeleine's face) in all the above shots. Madeleine's eyebrows also change, from having a kink in the left side one in several of the frontal shots, and to being smooth in all the side views.
Quills (2000)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: Philip Kaufman
Starring: Michael Caine, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix, Geoffrey Rush
De Sade gets his tongue cut off as punishment for Madeleine's death, and after the ordeal Abbe du Coulmier proclaims that he may never sleep again. The Marquis de Sade later commits suicide by swallowing the cross and choking to death before Colmier finishes the last rites ceremony. This spurs him into an irreparable mental shock. A few months later, Dr. Royer-Collard is giving a tour of the Charenton Asylum to the new Abbe and it is revealed that since Charenton has become the laughing stock of France, the Marquis de Sade's novels are now being published at the asylum to increase it's depleting funds. The former Abbe is seen as a patient in De Sade's former cell, desperately craving pen and parchment. The final scene shows Madeleine's mother sneaking some writing materials into his cell. Colmier begins writing immediately...
Varun Rajiv
More mistakes in Quills
Marquis de Sade: This is a rare vintage from an obscure village in Bordeaux. Rather than crush the grape underfoot, they place the fruit on the belly of a bride, and reap its juices when the young husband steers his vessel into port. Full-bodied flavor, with just a hint of wantonness. Bottoms up.
Coulmier: It's from our own cellar. I recognize the taste.
Marquis de Sade: I should have told you it was the blood of Christ. You'd believe that, wouldn't you?
Trivia: The Marquis de Sade, a promiscuous man and a convicted rapist died of syphilis (a sexually-transmitted disease) in 1814.
Question: When Maddie leaves Abe's bedroom (after they shared a quick kiss), he rushes back out and calls her. Why does he call her back? If he wanted to say something to her, why not say it when she was in the room?
Answer: Because he apparently had to work the courage up to say whatever it is he wanted to say. He was conflicted in his feelings for Maddie. He's a priest and isn't supposed to 'want' her the way he does. Catholic priests take a vow of chastity and he was trying to deal with his feelings as a man and his vows as a priest.
Shannon Jackson