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. 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
Barbara Hershey as Mother Madalyn
William Petersen as Joad
Diane Ladd as Sister Margaret
Justin Louis as Mr. Mouly
David Clennon as Simon Filger
Paul Robert Langdon as Paco
Anthony Ritter as Hernando
Mark Sivertsen as Mr. Prewitt
Rodney Grant as Geronimo
Jane Goold as Sister Florian
Boots Southerland as Deputy Carlson
Paul Geoffrey as Samuels
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."