source: The Cardinal

The Cardinal

According to the author of the novel, Henry Morton Robinson, Stephen Fermoyle is a compilation of all the priests that he knew. His purpose was to show both the human and divine natures of the priesthood honestly and clearly. The movie retains the honest, open, and unpretentious nature of the book. The characters are true to their book characters, and aside from some events being created for the movie, the story in the movie should be recognizable by readers of the novel. For some reason, the scenes in Austria do not ring true. The events in which Stephen wrestles with the love of a woman and the love of God occurred in Italy in the book. The inclusion of this storyline does not "flow" with the rest of the movie. The director would have been better served had he retained the storyline in the book.

Tom Tryon plays an idealistic Irish-American priest in pre-World War II Boston who works his way up to Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church. Adaptation of Henry Morton Robinson's book becomes a woefully uneven melodrama directed by Otto Preminger, who seems to have an understanding of the material but who hasn't enlisted the faith of his large cast. Tryon, looking like a deer caught in the headlights of this mammoth actors' vehicle, is truly awful, but one is more apt to blame Preminger than Tryon (who has been capable in other pictures). Supporting cast (particularly Carol Lynley, John Huston, and Burgess Meredith) fares somewhat better, and the movie looks burnished and handsome, but it just isn't compelling; instead, it's overlong and under-nourished. ** from ****

This was an absolute masterpiece for director Otto Preminger. The story of a conflicted priest who thinks back to his rise within the church on the day that he is to be made a cardinal. The film pulled absolutely no punches when it talks about the social issues of the period, whether it be racism in the south or the rise of Nazi Germany and its take over of Austria in March of 1938. This is a story of a priest in definite conflict. He allowed his religious views to literally end the life of his sister. The disgusting anti-Semitism reared in his own family and by neighborhood friends best described the era.

I have seen his film so many times and with very few exceptions have come to the conclusion that it is one of the most rewarding films I have ever enjoyed. The photography and art direction are beautiful but the music is stunning and available on a recent CD release. I truly feel it has been very much forgotten and am delighted that it is available in letterbox format for all to enjoy.

The Cardinal tracks the life of a young priest through an upwardly-mobile career to the point just prior to his being elevated to Cardinal. The historical time frame falls between the beginning of WWI and the beginning of WWII, and this volatile time in our country's history is reflected by the career of Father (later Monsignor, then Bishop) Fermoyle. Fr. Fermoyle encounters many people who touch his life and have an impact on his career which shakes his faith, and even threatens to end it at one point. You don't have to be Catholic to enjoy this film, but it would certainly help! The location scenes in Rome, Vienna and Boston give this film a feel which helps the viewer really get involved in the plot. The moral values truly reflect the era depicted; I only wish that a return to those values were possible today. If you like a good, dramatic story that develops characters you really get to know and care about, please see this film!

The Cardinal l'd watched in 1984 on TV, an overlong movie, in that time l didn't have any idea how meaning of the pictures itself, today after a long time l've the opportunity to re-watch this one from Otto Preminger's unknown movie, after almost three hours long l finally recognized this picture is really amazing, telling a story about a young priest in Boston until a high position in Catholic Church, the movie is showing in flashbacks since the beginning, all the facts one of the most remarkable is about the Father Ned Halley played by Burgess Meredith who died in poverty, another was when he has to help a nigro priest in Georgia and has to confront the segregationist system in this town, the story through the time have many faces until the final, once more Otto Preminger proves as one of best directors for all times!! Underrated movie!! Resume: First watch: 1984 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 8.5