Priest (1995)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: A deft directorial debut from Antonia Bird, Priest handles its sensitive subject with care -- despite certain sanctimonious sentiments.
Priest Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Father Greg Pilkington
as Father Matthew Thomas
as Maria Kerrigan
as Graham
as Father Ellerton
as Mrs. Unsworth
as Mr. Unsworth
as Lisa Unsworth
as Charlie
as Bishop
as Funeral Director
as Altar Boy
as Altar Boy
as Ellie Molloy
as Patrick
as Mick Molly
as Tommy
as Tommy's Child
as Tommy's Child
as Man in Lift
as Mrs. Gobshite
as Mr. Gobshite
as Jehovah's Witness
as Guest at Wake
as Guest at Wake
as Guest at Wake
as Guest at Wake
as Bobby
as Man on Skateboard
as Girl in Confessional
as Boy Car Thief
as Boy with Stutter
as Sister Kevin
as Boy at Beach
as Charge Sergeant
as Reporter
as Nurse
as Housekeeper
as Father Redstone
Critic Reviews for Priest
All Critics (23) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (7) | DVD (1)
Priest shouldn't be missed -- much of it is strong and moving. My reservation is not that it bites off more than it can chew (these days, big teeth are welcome) but that there's something mechanical about its mastication.
In her timely and audacious feature debut, Antonia Bird addresses such taboo issues as homosexuality and incest within the Catholic church.
A provocative film, with persuasive work by Roache.
This drama about Church hypocracy could stand to be far less preachy.
A star-making performance by Linus Roache.
The film's heart and message was in the right place.
Audience Reviews for Priest
Antonia Bird's powerful, thought-provoking, and controversial British film, that examines the life of a young devout Catholic priest, father Greg Pikington, 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 has shook the church to its foundations. Highly Recommended.
Super Reviewer
A well-meaning film that touches on too many issues to be effective. Sadly, this results in a degeneration into preachiness to make its points. A good performance by Roache and a somewhat better one by Wilkinson. Barely adequate production values.
Super Reviewer
Unreal at the time, Priest still remains a very powerful film about a homosexual who tries to hide behind the veils of the priesthood and finds his humanity something truly to be wrestled with. Gripping and great.
Super Reviewer
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