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      The World's Greatest Sinner

      Released Jun 14, 1962 1h 22m Drama List
      Reviews 58% Audience Score 100+ Ratings Insurance salesman Clarence Hilliard (Timothy Carey) falls under the influence of the devil (James Farley), quits his job and becomes an offbeat evangelist, preaching that every man is eternal and calling himself "the God Hilliard." His cult-like following explodes as he spreads his philosophy through hip-swiveling rock 'n' roll. Soon he grows wealthy, seduces women of all ages and runs for president. But, when those closest to Hilliard desert him, he must face himself -- and the actual God. Read More Read Less

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      Critics Reviews

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      Nicolas Rapold New York Times Doubling as the director, Carey stokes the off-kilter mood with heady camera angles and looming shadows, lingering on Clarence as he goes berserk. Oct 5, 2023 Full Review Abby Kunkin Los Angeles Free Press If Mr. [Timothy] Carey plans to make more religious films of this type, Hell may really break loose in the art-film houses. Feb 5, 2020 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews This curio cult film takes the cake for being so nutty and tasteless. Rated: C- Oct 25, 2008 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault All independent filmmakers and cult-flick fans must bow down to the low-rent majesty that is Timothy Agoglia Carey's The World's Greatest Sinner. Rated: A Aug 25, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Roger Ebert's review of "Pink Flamingos" stated "stars not relevant." The same could be said for this wack-a-doodle piece of underground cinema. It's so-bad-it's-good and fantastically entertaining. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member weird cult movie with music from frank zappa Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Little seen vanity piece by Carey (shown once on TCM!) is an amazing, ahead of its time, story of a rock and roll preacher turned cult leader. No one else but Carey could have played this - in his typical crazy, real and hangdog fashion. I thought I was dreaming when I watched it. A sort of masterpiece. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Timothy Carey is an interesting, often compelling, presence on screen. The movie, though, is a mess. Occasional good lighting and camerawork. Good score by a young Frank Zappa. The sound design falters and often fails completely leaving us in silence - when it isn't loud and echoey. The editing varies from competent to puzzling. The ending is abrupt and unclear. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Demented and bizarre satire about religion and cultism. It's, well, something to see on account of how damn strange it is. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Timothy Carey, best known for his roles in The Killing and Paths of Glory (his firing squad lament "I don't want to die" is one of the few instances of an ad lib appearing in a Kubrick film) was an eccentric. Prone to severe hamming (see Crime Wave) and unwanted improvisation, he often frustrated his directors and fellow actors. Marlon Brando stabbed him with a pen. He made his career playing small and supporting role, never the lead... except once. Written by, produced by, directed by, and starring Tim Carey, this movie is a whole lot of crazy. It's the story of insurance salesman who gets bored with life and becomes a street corner prophet, preaching that through medical science all people can be gods (or something). He becomes a rock star, renounces religion, changes his name to "God", and runs for President. It's often difficult to discern exactly what parts are satire and what parts are sincere, but at the very least it's a humorous take on organized religion. The film is undeniably rough, as would be expected of a vanity project. The acting, besides Carey, is uniformly awful. The editing is shabby, to put it nicely. The dialogue needs work. But there are quite a few very good shots, and the Frank Zappa score is very interesting. It's not a really a case of "so bad it's good" but more "so unusual it's worth tolerating the bad". If you want to see Timothy Carey cackle maniacally, wear a snake, make out with an elderly woman, and stab a communion wafer to see if it bleeds, this is the place to go. Very clever ending credits, too. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The World's Greatest Sinner

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Insurance salesman Clarence Hilliard (Timothy Carey) falls under the influence of the devil (James Farley), quits his job and becomes an offbeat evangelist, preaching that every man is eternal and calling himself "the God Hilliard." His cult-like following explodes as he spreads his philosophy through hip-swiveling rock 'n' roll. Soon he grows wealthy, seduces women of all ages and runs for president. But, when those closest to Hilliard desert him, he must face himself -- and the actual God.
      Director
      Timothy Carey
      Screenwriter
      Timothy Carey
      Production Co
      Frenzy Films
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jun 14, 1962, Limited
      Rerelease Date (Theaters)
      May 2, 2004
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 23, 2019
      Runtime
      1h 22m
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