Priest
Priest

Priest

1995Movie98 minEnglish

The deeply held religious convictions of an idealistic young priest are challenged when he must face extraordinary events within his own congregation.

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IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users88%
Director: Antonia BirdGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A young, idealistic priest, Father Greg, is appointed to a deprived Catholic parish in Liverpool. He struggles with his faith and his growing feelings for his troubled parishioner, Matthew, while also dealing with the rigid and hypocritical doctrines of the Catholic Church, personified by his authoritarian superior, Father Clarke.

Critical Reception

Priest received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of complex themes and strong performances, particularly from Linus Roache. It was praised for its unflinching look at faith, sexuality, and hypocrisy within the Catholic Church, though some found its subject matter controversial.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its powerful and sensitive exploration of faith and sexuality.
  • Linus Roache's performance as Father Greg is widely lauded as the film's anchor.
  • The film is noted for its bold and unflinching depiction of the Catholic Church's institutional pressures.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's thought-provoking narrative and strong acting, with many appreciating its brave handling of controversial themes.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival (1995) and was nominated for Best British Film at the BAFTA Awards (1996).

Fun Fact

The film's controversial subject matter led to protests and debates upon its release, with some religious groups strongly condemning its portrayal of the Catholic Church.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

“Fr. Greg” (Linus Roache) arrives at his new parish determined to look after the spiritual well-being of his flock in a more traditional sense than his fellow priest “Fr. Matthew” (Tom Wilkinson) who adopts a more user-friendly and free-thi...
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**A complex film, with a script that covers many issues at the same time.** Before I start writing my review, I think I should leave a note of personal context: I am a Catholic, a regular practitioner, and I live in a country where almos...
dePeatrick

dePeatrick

Good Movie, good acting, has not dated as much as you would expect.