In terms of classy erotic enterprises, it's tough to get any classier than this period drama that offers erotic lovemaking scenes, lavish scenery and a provocative, true story.

In 12th Century France, beautiful, young Heloise (Kim Thomson) is taken from a convent to the sprawling city of Paris to both learn the ways of the real world and find a spouse. But it's out of the convent and into the frying pan, when she falls for Abelard (Derek de Lint), the handsome church-appointed philosopher. Abelard, you see, is forbidden by the church to fornicate and Hoise's destiny is controlled by her greedy church official uncle (Denholm Elliott). Still, Abelard and Heloise involve themselves in a fiery romance, until the powers-that-be intervene, sending her off to another convent and him to a faraway city to teach.

In many ways, Stealing Heaven may remind you of a less pretentious Name of the Rose. Instead of Sean Connery, however, you get the handsome coupling of muscular de Lint (The Unbearable Lightness of Being) and red-haired, porcelain-skinned newcomer Thomson. In the unrated "director's cut" version reviewed here (it's also available in a tamer "R"-rated tape), there are three exquisitely filmed love scenes, briefly featuring full-frontal nudity. They are handled by veteran helmer Donner (What's New Pussycat?) quite tenderly, and along with the entire film, should be welcomed by couples desperately seeking a movie that's as erotic as some and more intelligent than most of the stuff on the market these days.