“Calvary”, 2013
Director: John Michael McDonagh
A darkly comedic drama featuring a good-hearted priest who faces moral challenges and threats to his life after being told during confession that he will be killed within a week.
Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Kelly Reilly, Chris O'Dowd, Aidan Gillen, Dylan Moran, Isaach De Bankolé, M. Emmet Walsh, Marie-Josée Croze, Domhnall Gleeson, David Wilmot;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
“The Mission”, 1986
Director: Roland Joffé
Set in the 18th century, this film tells the story of a Spanish Jesuit priest who goes into the South American wilderness to build a mission and convert a native community, only to find himself defending the community against Portuguese slave traders.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Ray McAnally, Aidan Quinn, Cherie Lunghi, Ronald Pickup, Chuck Low, Liam Neeson, Bercelio Moya, Sigifredo Ismare;
Production year: 1986;
Genre: drama, adventure, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “The Mission” on the website imdb.com
“First Reformed”, 2017
Director: Paul Schrader
A drama about a former military chaplain ravaged by grief over the death of his son. He finds his faith tested when he meets a pregnant woman and uncovers an environmental conspiracy.
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Cedric The Entertainer, Victoria Hill, Philip Ettinger, Michael Gaston, Bill Hoag, Kristin Villanueva, Ingrid Kullberg-Bendz, Ken Forman;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “First Reformed” on the website imdb.com
“Doubt”, 2008
Director: John Patrick Shanley
Set in a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, this film centers on a nun who confronts a priest after suspecting him of abusing a black student. It's a compelling tale of suspicion and moral certainty.
Starring: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Alice Drummond, Audrie J. Neenan, Susan Blommaert, Carrie Preston, John Costelloe, Lloyd Clay Brown;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Doubt” on the website imdb.com
“Spotlight”, 2015
Director: Tom McCarthy
This gripping drama tells the true story of the Boston Globe's investigation into child molestation accusations within the Catholic Church, highlighting the journalists’ efforts to unveil a decades-long cover-up.
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Brian d'Arcy James, Elena Wohl, Gene Amoroso, Doug Murray;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
“The Power and the Glory”, 1933
Director: William K. Howard
Based on Graham Greene's novel, this film follows a 'whiskey priest' in Mexico during the time when the government tried to suppress the Catholic Church. It's a story of redemption and human weakness.
Starring: Spencer Tracy, Colleen Moore, Ralph Morgan, Helen Vinson, Phillip Trent, Henry Kolker, Sarah Padden, Billy O'Brien, Cullen Johnson, J. Farrell MacDonald;
Production year: 1933;
Genre: drama;
Duration: 76 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
“Silence”, 2016
Director: Martin Scorsese
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this historical drama is set in the 17th century and tells the story of two Jesuit priests who face violence and persecution when they travel to Japan to locate their mentor and spread the teachings of Christianity.
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, Tadanobu Asano, Ciarán Hinds, Issei Ogata, Shinya Tsukamoto, Yoshi Oida, Yosuke Kubozuka, Kaoru Endô;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 161 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
These films explore the complexities of faith, the struggles of those who serve, and the impact of the priesthood on individuals and communities, making them compelling narratives for a variety of audiences.
In closing, films about priests often journey deep into the heart of human dilemmas, faith, and morality, offering audiences a reflection on their own beliefs and values. These narratives, steeped in both divine and earthly conflicts, showcase the complexities of spiritual life and the human condition. From the corridors of devout institutions to the rugged paths of missionary work, they portray priests as both flawed individuals and symbols of hope, navigating their duties amidst personal and communal crises. Such films not only provide a cinematic lens into the cloistered and often misconceived lives of clergy but also deliberate on the broader questions of virtue, redemption, and the eternal search for meaning. Whether through the portrayal of historical figures, fictional characters grappling with moral quandaries, or those caught in the tide of societal changes, films about priests remain an essential and enriching part of cinema, inviting viewers to ponder deeply the intersection of faith, ethics, and the human spirit.
