Nuns On The Run

Imperilled nuns are the order of the day for one of Martin Scorsese's upcoming projects, St Agnes' Stand, which is currently being adapted by Life of David Gale scribe, Charles Randolph. Based on a novel by Thomas Eidson, the story is a western-set tale about a man on the run from a band of Texas cowboys. Wounded and fleeing for his life, Nat Swanson stops to aid a wagonload of nuns and orphans who are besieged by Apache Indians. Having prayed for deliverance from their plight, 76 year-old Sister Agnes believes, on seeing his timely arrival, that Swanson has been sent by God. Something of a hit in its paper-bound form, St Agnes' Stand certainly has some potential, even if the story sounds a little contrived - nuns and Orphans? Please! How come lone heroes never come across endangered bands of career shoplifters or street bums and have to rescue them? That aside, it's certainly been a while since we saw some decent wild west entertainment (in fact there's been precious little since Eastwood's Unforgiven, more than a decade ago) and if anyone can do it justice then Marty can. So if the prospect of arrow-riddled wimples doesn