The Grande Chartreuse, considered one of the world's most ascetic monasteries is based in the French Alps. In 1984, German filmmaker Philip Gröning wrote to the Carthusian order for permission to make a documentary about them. They said they would get back to him. Sixteen years later, they were ready. Gröning, sans crew or artificial lighting, lived in the monks' quarters for six months--filming their daily prayers, tasks, rituals, and rare outdoor excursions.

Documentary. Title from container. Originally released as a motion picture in 2005. Special features: Disc one: U.S. theatrical trailer ; Disc two: One hour of additional scenes, including a piece on the Carthusian's world-famous Chartreuse liqueur; "Night office": a 53-min. video excerpt of the monks' nightly ritual of psalms, laudes and matins; "The Carthusians": an extensive guide to the history, rules, architecture and paintings of the monasteries worldwide; stunning audio and photo galleries of the Grande Chartreuse; video statement by Cardinal Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture at the Vatican; making-of dossier, with the shooting diary, behind-the-scenes footage and handwritten notes from the monks.