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No consensus yet.
All Critics (29) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (1)
Brooks honors the spirit of Lewis' cynical commentary on circus-type primitive exhortation with pictorial imagery that is always pungent. He also has written dialog that is frank and biting. Apr 8, 2008 | Full Review…
Brooks honors the spirit of Lewis' cynical commentary on circus-type primitive exhortation with pictorial imagery that is always pungent. He also has written dialog that is frank and biting.
Variety Staff
Brooks was the ultimate vulgarizer of serious literature. Apr 8, 2008 | Full Review…
Brooks was the ultimate vulgarizer of serious literature.
Jonathan Rosenbaum
With a host of fine performances, and a strong sense of period and place conveyed by John Alton's lush camerawork, there's still plenty to enjoy. Jan 26, 2006 | Full Review…
With a host of fine performances, and a strong sense of period and place conveyed by John Alton's lush camerawork, there's still plenty to enjoy.
Geoff Andrew
The briskly paced drama of a religious opportunist, his colleagues and his times utilizes the tools of the motion picture in expert fashion. May 20, 2003 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
The briskly paced drama of a religious opportunist, his colleagues and his times utilizes the tools of the motion picture in expert fashion.
A.H. Weiler
The whole thing bristles with rather superficial symbolism and even Jean Simmons's radiant, and in this case hearty, charm as an Aimee Macpherson figure. Jul 18, 2018 | Full Review…
The whole thing bristles with rather superficial symbolism and even Jean Simmons's radiant, and in this case hearty, charm as an Aimee Macpherson figure.
Isabel Quigly
If not for the amazing performance of Burt Lancaster, the film would collapse under its own self-righteousness. Aug 15, 2011 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
If not for the amazing performance of Burt Lancaster, the film would collapse under its own self-righteousness.
Wesley Lovell
Greatly enhanced by the spirited Oscar performance by Burt Lancaster. Jul 4, 2011 | Rating: B- | Full Review…
Greatly enhanced by the spirited Oscar performance by Burt Lancaster.
Dennis Schwartz
The film pulls few punches in its story of the hypocrisy, materialism, and opportunism at the heart of the evangelical world of Bible-thumping barnstorming revival troupes Aug 6, 2010 | Rating: 80/100 | Full Review…
The film pulls few punches in its story of the hypocrisy, materialism, and opportunism at the heart of the evangelical world of Bible-thumping barnstorming revival troupes
Dan Jardine
Lancaster pulls out all the stops in one of his most memorable roles as the lustful, ambitious charlatan of Sinclair Lewis's powerful novel. Apr 8, 2008 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
Lancaster pulls out all the stops in one of his most memorable roles as the lustful, ambitious charlatan of Sinclair Lewis's powerful novel.
This gets progressively nastier and winds up with an impressive hellfire finish. Apr 8, 2008 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
This gets progressively nastier and winds up with an impressive hellfire finish.
Kim Newman
Burt Lancaster gives one of his most memorable and zestiest performances as the lustful, charismatic evangelist charlatan in Richard Brooks' loose adaptation of Sinclair Lewis 1927 powerful novel. Nov 6, 2007 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
Burt Lancaster gives one of his most memorable and zestiest performances as the lustful, charismatic evangelist charlatan in Richard Brooks' loose adaptation of Sinclair Lewis 1927 powerful novel.
Emanuel Levy
Hypocrisy and religion exploited! Lancaster and Shirley Jones are terrific. Oct 15, 2004 | Rating: 5/5
Hypocrisy and religion exploited! Lancaster and Shirley Jones are terrific.
Steve Crum
A snake-oil preacher woos a revivalist, and together they build a following, but will his dishonesty hurt their partnership more than his charisma helps their cause? Burt Lancaster's finest performance showcases his over-the-top antics and his remarkably seductive charm and his ability to convey a soulful depth of character. He rises to the challenge of the perfect part for his talents. Jean Simmons, always demure, also gives a strong, subtle performance as Sister Sharon Falconer, a well-meaning but manipulated revivalist. The film's satire pillories ignorance and theft more than it levels its glass at religious fervor. It doesn't suggest that religion is bullshit because we see a proper refutation in the person of well-meaning religious people, but it does say that people are no more easily manipulated than when they are are pushed by either faith or their genitals. Seems like apt criticism to me. Overall, your patience with this film will depend on your reaction to Lancaster's antics and the film's thesis.
Super Reviewer
I find it very difficult to believe that Elmer Gantry made in to movie screens in 1960. It almost seems like a lynchpin or things to come in the decade. Religious satire mixed with the amazing performance of Burt Lancaster. Unbelievable. There's also a great performance from Jean Simmons, as well as fantastic direction from Richard Brooks. There's also some great photography and location work on display to boot. Oh, and a fantastic script from beginning to end. A brilliant little film.
Richard Brooks mesmeriising adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's book (--- what's killing Christianity is not unbelievers on the outside but rather the phony piety of those professing belief---) is chock full of noteworthy performances and riveting scenes as a silky smooth talking con man joins a Christian tent revivalist across America's Bible Belt. The film actually begins with a printed warning to keep youngsters away ... nuff said.
This movie has a good story and actors, I didn't get to see the end, though, so I should watch this movie again.
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