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The Cardinal

Play trailer Poster for The Cardinal Released Dec 12, 1963 2h 55m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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47% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
On his path to the College of Cardinals, Stephen Fermoyle (Tom Tryon), a newly ordained Catholic priest, is confronted with family, personal and social crises that cause him spiritual turmoil. First, his sister (Carol Lynley) conceives a child out of wedlock; then he is tempted away from the Church by a woman (Romy Schneider) ; later he contends with racial bigotry within the Church and encounters Nazism in Austria. Will Stephen overcome his trials and reach the rank of cardinal?

Critics Reviews

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Dave Kehr Chicago Reader This is an extremely well constructed film, made with a balance that keeps its overflowing plot line in perfect control. Oct 23, 2007 Full Review Tom Milne Time Out Risible script based on a doorstop novel by Henry Morton Robinson, but handled by Preminger with tremendous panache; worth seeing just for the incredible skill and flair with which he stages the action and moves the camera. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times he end is a great letdown from what Mr. Preminger might have accomplished with the 1950 novel of Henry Morton Robinson. There is no strong flow of spirit through it. Even the melodrama is perfunctory and weak. Rated: 2/5 May 9, 2005 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins The film still feels largely uneventful and unmoving; Stephen’s tale just isn’t transformative or unforgettable. Rated: 5/10 Aug 9, 2023 Full Review James Daane Christianity Today The scenery is superb, the acting good: yet The Cardinal suggests neither the crises of the period, nor the anguished religious struggles it seeks to portray within the Catholic soul. Though the treatment is reverential, it lacks spiritual fiber. Dec 20, 2019 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Otto Preminger has successfully put on film a long, absorbing drama about a young Boston Irishman who becomes an ecclesiastical prince of the Roman Catholic Church. Oct 7, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jerry E Tom Tryon is at best a mediocre, wooden actor. The long story is wearying and unfulfilling. A shallow, meaningless waste of time and talent. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 05/27/24 Full Review Audience Member This isnt a great movie but the stories and path it takes are still important today. It made a me a better and more informed 12 year old. At70 I remember it all too well. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review lanfranco c Preminger, as usual, plays perfectly with the emotions Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review steve d It works ok and the cast is fantastic. The script is average. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The best movie score ever composed! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member A very good film that takes on a number of difficult topics -- possibly too many. One of Preminger's best, if underrated, films, with a strong performance by Tryon. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Cardinal

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The Cardinal

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Movie Info

Synopsis On his path to the College of Cardinals, Stephen Fermoyle (Tom Tryon), a newly ordained Catholic priest, is confronted with family, personal and social crises that cause him spiritual turmoil. First, his sister (Carol Lynley) conceives a child out of wedlock; then he is tempted away from the Church by a woman (Romy Schneider) ; later he contends with racial bigotry within the Church and encounters Nazism in Austria. Will Stephen overcome his trials and reach the rank of cardinal?
Director
Otto Preminger
Producer
Otto Preminger
Screenwriter
Robert Dozier
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Otto Preminger Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 12, 1963, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
2h 55m