this is a beautifully haunting story,and one which was acted very well. It deserves more than 3 stars

It's no surprise that episodes of the show are generally stronger when they're drawing on strong source material, and Ambrose Bierce is one of America's great authors. If there's a weak point, it's one that's common to many episodes of the show: casting a much older woman in the role of a young lady. Russell Horton plays to his strength here, as a passionate but good-hearted young monk, and the story benefits from atmosphere and intensity as it rushes toward an unexpected and haunting conclusion.

A fairly good (supernatural?) story about a young monk and his morals vs. the morals of the day. I wonder at the ending that E.G. reads and if it was something they added onto the story or if it was part of the original. If it was part of the original story it definitely gives more gravitas to it. I have yet to read any of Bierce's tales (which I usually enjoy the radio adaptations) and each one I hear makes me want to read them. One of these days I'm sure I will.

Not too much to add to Russels excellent review. The voices and acting in this oen were outstanding. I enoyed it very much. SOme shows are just better than otehrs and this one fits that perfectly. It all just comes togetehr very well! Check it out and post what you think!

I rate this episode ★★★★★ for EXCELLENT. I know that Ambrose Bierce is famous for his short stories like "An Occurrence On Owl Creek Bridge," but after listening to this particular episode, written for the show by Arnold & Stella Moss, this story has to got to be a must-read. Decent in the beginning, dramatic in the middle, and dark in the end. Another way to title this, it would be "Dangerous Sympathy" because that's exactly what the main character goes through. The sound effects of the doors, howling wind, birds chirping and cawing, bell tolls, monks chanting, people murmuring and music playing at the feast, the biting of the food, and the knife thrown to the ground were incredibly supportive. And whoever picked the music tunes in this, deserves acknowledgement. The music tracks they used made the story feel darker and more mysterious, which would bring you to the edge of your seat. In our Host's Prologue, E.G. Marshall starts the show off by talking about conscience. In ACT-1, we meet our main characters where it's May 1st, 1680. In ACT-2, he quoted a Hymn by James Montgomery: "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed, the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast." In ACT-3, E.G. Marshall pointed out that even though our main character is being tormented for helping the hangman's daughter, he still yearns for her. In the end, our main character died on October 15th, 1681. In his Epilogue, E.G. Marshall reads the manuscript on how the monk was buried right beside the woman he loved. And finally, our phenomenal cast: Kristoffer Tabori (as Friar Ambrosius), Arnold Moss (as Father Andreas), Evie Juster (as Beneditca & Amula), and Russell Horton (as Friar Romanus & Rocius). I say "phenomenal" because that's the best word to describe their talents in this Drama-Mystery. Kudos to Russell Horton for playing 1 humble and 1 overbearing character. Thumbs up for Evie Juster for her voice to play one character that's sweet and the other harsh. Arnold Moss' acting is superb. And I'd give a round of applause to Kristoffer Tabori. His performance in this, is memorable as his roles in #0334-NIGHT OF THE HOWLING DOG, #0371-TRIPTYCH FOR A WITCH, and #0591-THE WHITE WOLF. This is an Ambrose Bierce story that no CBSRMT fan should pass up on. Get ready for one of the darkest and compelling stories you'd hear. Plus, it has commercials of Pat Summerall for True Value Hardware Store, the song of "Clair de Lune" played for The Foundation Church at 1147 1st Avenue in New York N.Y. 10021, cough drops, Action Department in Washington D.C., high blood pressure awareness, Buick Automobiles, Jim Mackis as Mr. Magoo for the Disease of Prosperity Heart Fund, and air pollution awareness. Until next time…pleasant dreams. =^D

Thx for the review, and because these stories have been around for 40+ years, its difficult to discern when comments are posted, but in this case, its your error in misnaming 'Mr Magoo' thats telling of your age! The characters name your referring to, is Jim BACHUS. He did the voice over for the old myopic cartoon fella, but perhaps you would recognize his name if I revealed that he also played the role of a well-known uber wealthy curmudgeon with 6 other marooned cast aways on an island 🏝 after a 3 hour cruise🛥? Lol Jim Bachus was Thurston Howell III ..on Gilligan's Island. 😉 Keep up the good work!

Friar Ambrosius and another young monk, Friar Romanus, of the order of St. Francis, are sent by their superior to the monastery in Berchtesgaden, high in the Bavarian Alps. There Ambrosius meets and feels great pity for the beautiful Benedicta, despised by all because she is the hangman’s daughter. Soon Ambrosius is also scorned by the populace, most of all by the son of the village’s most powerful man, who wants Benedicta for himself -- as a wife, but as a mistress