Priest (1994)

64% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(4,720 ratings)

A priest is torn between church dogma and his personal beliefs in this British drama. Father Greg (Linus Roache) is a Catholic priest who tends to a parish in Liverpool. Like his superior, Father Matthew (Tom Wilkinson), Father Greg is not dealing well with his vow of celibacy. While Matthew has… More A priest is torn between church dogma and his personal beliefs in this British drama. Father Greg (Linus Roache) is a Catholic priest who tends to a parish in Liverpool. Like his superior, Father Matthew (Tom Wilkinson), Father Greg is not dealing well with his vow of celibacy. While Matthew has been discreetly having an affair with his housekeeper, Greg is homosexual, and he occasionally slips out to gay clubs for anonymous encounters with strangers. One night, Father Greg meets a man named Graham (Robert Carlyle) at the bar; when he bumps into him on the street a few days later, he realizes that he's falling in love with him. As Father Greg struggles with his sexual and spiritual identity, he hears a confession from 14-year-old Lisa Unsworth (Christine Tremarco), who tells him that her father has been molesting her. Mr. Unsworth (Robert Pugh) confirms his daughter's allegation during confession, and he tells the priest that he will not stop his incestuous behavior. Should Father Greg violate the seal of the confessional to save Lisa from further abuse? Priest, which opened in America on Good Friday, generated considerable controversy, both with Catholic organizations (who denounced the picture) and the MPAA (the film had to be re-edited to gain an R rating for U.S. release). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Antonia Bird
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Mar 24, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Sep 7, 1999
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
A provocative film, with persuasive work by Roache.
Dan Lybarger, Lawrence Journal-World
This drama about Church hypocracy could stand to be far less preachy.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
A star-making performance by Linus Roache.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The film's heart and message was in the right place.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Makes it clear that forgiveness is one of the most distinctive marks of Christianity and there is no future for any church that disregards it.

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tom E

This reflects well, the loneliness of the calling
Alec B

Its a film that deals with the serious ethical dilemmas that exist in the real world application of the Catholic faith, specifically if its even possible to do so. I'll concede that it gets preachy, but for the most part its truthful and very moving.
Danny R

A thought-provoking, stirring and controversial British film, that examines the life of a young devout Catholic priest, played by Linus Roache in a superlative lead performance who struggles with his homosexuality and secret gay lover. His assignment to a working class parish forces… More
A thought-provoking, stirring and controversial British film, that examines the life of a young devout Catholic priest, played by Linus Roache in a superlative lead performance who struggles with his homosexuality and secret gay lover. His assignment to a working class parish forces him to face the contradictions in his life, after hearing the confession of a 14-year-old girl who is being sexually abused by her monstrous father, he begins questioning a God who allows evil to destroy the life of a child. The Priest is torn between the laws of the church and his need to help this innocent young victim. Fine direction by Antonia Bird, and a supporting cast that all deliver exceptional performances they include Tom Wikinson, Cathy Tyson, James Ellis, Robert Carlyle, John Bennett and Lesley Sharp. A passionate film with a extremely moving ending, It's message is about redemption and the power of forgiveness, told with delicacy and respect.This film was released in 1994 prior to the current pedophilia scandal that that has shook the church to its foundations. Highly Recommended.
Barry L

Big Jock Knew.....keep the kids clear please!