I Confess (1953)

85% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(6,815 ratings)

Based on the turn-of-the-century play Our Two Consciences by Paul Anthelme, Hitchcock's I Confess is set in Quebec. Montgomery Clift plays a priest who hears the confession of church sexton O.E. Hasse. "I...killed...a man" whispers Hasse in tight closeup--and, bound by the laws of the Confessional,… More Based on the turn-of-the-century play Our Two Consciences by Paul Anthelme, Hitchcock's I Confess is set in Quebec. Montgomery Clift plays a priest who hears the confession of church sexton O.E. Hasse. "I...killed...a man" whispers Hasse in tight closeup--and, bound by the laws of the Confessional, Clift is unable to turn Hasse over to the police. But police-inspector Karl Malden has a pretty good idea who the guilty party is: all evidence points to Clift. It seems that the dead man had been blackmailing Anne Baxter, who was once in a factually innocent, but seemingly exploitable compromising position with Clift. Tried for murder, Clift is released due to lack of evidence, but he is ruined in the eyes of the community. Then it is Hasse's turn to make that One Fatal Error. I Confess is frequently dismissed as a lesser Hitchcock, due mainly to the quirky performance of Montgomery Clift (who, it is said, steadfastly refused to take direction). Today, four decades removed from its on-set intrigues, the film has taken its place as one of the best of Hitchcock's "between the classics" efforts. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Written By: George Tabori, William Archibald
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1952 Wide
On DVD: Sep 7, 2004

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
While Hitchcock short-changes on the expected round of suspense for which he is noted, he does bring out a number of topflight performances and gives the picture an interesting polish that is documentary at times.
, TIME Magazine
A good, workmanlike thriller, I Confess is only fair-to-middling Hitchcock.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Alfred Hitchcock's famous talent for brewing a mood of fine suspense with clever direction and cutting is spent on a nigh suspenseless script.
Matthew Sorrento, PopMatters
Clift lets guilt channel through his matinee idol looks, a brief reminder of his more powerful performance in George Stevens' A Place in the Sun. (From Hitchcock 101)
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The sincerely intense performances by Malden and Clift make this minor Hitchcock tale seem like a major Hitchcock tale.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Less than great, but still intriguing.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
The biggest crime surrounding I Confess is the generally indifferent reception that the film has received over the years
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
It's heavy going at times...
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
One of the most astonishing-looking films in all of black-and-white cinematography.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's still very much worth watching.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
May or may not rank with Hitch's greatest masterpieces, but its premise offers perhaps the most compelling variation on his favorite theme, the innocent man wrongly accused.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
a minor work in Hitchcock's canon
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
Hitchcock's sexiest cipher is put to the test in one of his most undervalued masterpieces.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
I Confess suggests Hitchcock's experimental urge to incorporate less overt artificiality into his vision.

Read all 14 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Alexander D

Not Alfred Hitchcock's best.
Anthony L

I Confess raises a very good question, how far can you question certain figures and are certain beliefs above the law. It rings a little bit hollow though as Priests have a duty to report such crimes and are, and have been for a while, instructed to do so. It doesn't have the… More
I Confess raises a very good question, how far can you question certain figures and are certain beliefs above the law. It rings a little bit hollow though as Priests have a duty to report such crimes and are, and have been for a while, instructed to do so. It doesn't have the intrigue that you'd expect from a Hitchcock thriller but it is brilliantly shot and while the acting is good, it is Karl Malden as Inspector Larrue who steals the show in my opinion.
AJ V

I must confess, this is a fantastic movie! Any Hitchcock movie from the fifties is fantastic, really, and this movie is no exception to that rule. I love it.
Conner R

I think it’s an extremely well shot film, however it is not exactly suspenseful. Hitchcock usually had a sense of what would thrill and frighten viewers, but this was one of his rare misses in judgment. It’s not a bad movie by any stretch, the acting is well done and it has… More
I think it’s an extremely well shot film, however it is not exactly suspenseful. Hitchcock usually had a sense of what would thrill and frighten viewers, but this was one of his rare misses in judgment. It’s not a bad movie by any stretch, the acting is well done and it has beautiful “Canadian” sets, but it’s just not all that likable. I think it’s more infuriating that you know everything from the start and that makes for a largely dull experience.
Randy T

The pursuit and persecution of "the wrong man" is a reoccurring theme in many Hitchcock productions. Here, in <i>I Confess</i>, a young catholic priest (Montgomery Clift) is falsely accused of murder. Clift knows exactly who the real killer is but cannot… More
The pursuit and persecution of "the wrong man" is a reoccurring theme in many Hitchcock productions. Here, in <i>I Confess</i>, a young catholic priest (Montgomery Clift) is falsely accused of murder. Clift knows exactly who the real killer is but cannot divulge the information because of the sanctity of confession. The pairing of two legends like Montgomery Clift and Alfred Hitchcock is, in my opinion, a match made in heaven. It undoubtedly works here. What a shame that these two didn't combine forces more often. Perhaps it was Clift's infamous persistence and devotion to 'method acting' that confounded his director (?). Whatever it was, I would have certainly liked to have seen more collaborations like this one.
Lady D

Confession to a priest over a murder ? it?s been done time and time again, but this film offers a little twist on the subject. Great plot, but wasn?t blown over by this film ? perhaps this is one that could benefit from a remake?
Pierluigi P

Clift, Baxter, Hasse and Malden all stand out with great performances. Hitchcock accomplishes a noirish, distressing and beautiful film.
jay n

not major league Hitch, but any hitchcock is worth seeing once.
Michael G

One of Hitchcock's weaker and less memorable films.
Mike T

Glistens with the finesse of Alfred Hitchcock's direction. As far as the technical aspect of the film goes, it is a really polished and interesting-looking project. Aside from a few minor flaws, the script is very effective and provides room for some top-notch acting. Montgomery… More
Glistens with the finesse of Alfred Hitchcock's direction. As far as the technical aspect of the film goes, it is a really polished and interesting-looking project. Aside from a few minor flaws, the script is very effective and provides room for some top-notch acting. Montgomery Clift, playing a very difficult and inevitably restrained role, designs a lot of his performance around expressions and gestures. I loved watching him in this film, and I think his work in it is commendable. The always-reliable Karl Malden turns in a solid supporting performance as well.

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

Cast

Montgomery Clift
as Father Michael William Logan
Anne Baxter
as Ruth Grandfort
Karl Malden
as Inspector Larrue

Brian Aherne
as Willy Robertson Attorney
O.E. Hasse
as Otto Keller
Dolly Haas
as Alma Keller

See full cast