Cardinal, The (DVD)

Before I comment on the film itself, I must say that I believe film historians have given Preminger a bad rap. His films, even the sweeping epics, were quite personal, and would draw the audience into his own personal world. Preminger's reputation, largely, was due to his desire to confront social issues that often made the audience uncomfortable. Who can possibly forget "The Man with the Golden Arm" (drug-addiction), "Anatomy of a Murder" (rape), and his most cotroversial, "The Moon is Blue" (virginity), a 1954 film condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency. These were "in your face" depictions of the stuff that is now regarded as "run of the mill". His handlings of Black culture have been immortalized on film in his two musicals, "Carmen Jones" and "Porgy and Bess". Arriving in the states during World War II, a misplaced German facing prejudice, he was well acquainted with alienation and filmed these Black-centered films with great affection. "Exodus" (1960) concerned the plight of the Jews, and "The Cardinal" dealt with the plight of a good Catholic and the many problems facing him (racism, abortion, celibacy, etc.). Preminger was not afraid to tackle a problem facing society, and his films are generally excellent in conveying his desire to expose situations to the world that are ever-present. Preminger's first Oscar nomination was in 1944 ("Laura"), though he stepped in for Rouben Mamoulian after filming had begun. It's the films he made in the 50's, during the McCarthy blacklist period, that made him passionate to move an apathetic public to serious situations. "The Cardinal" is one of his best, in many ways. Not only does it cover a long period of time, but it is coherent and often compelling. It was nominated for 6 Oscars (Director, Supprting Actor, Editing, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costumes). I still think John Huston's performance was overdone, but he was a beloved director and this was his first acting role. If any acting awards shoud've been given, it should've been to Burgess Meredith. This was also Romy Schneider's first English-language role. She was a lovely woman and a confident actress. The editing, sets and photography were indeed fine (the 2.35:1 LBX on the DVD show all the glory), but I still believe that Jerome Moross' score is among the finest, though not nominated. Remember, this was up against "Cleopatra" for those technical awards so, though noble and fine, it could hardly compete against "That" budget. It was not nominated for "Best Picture", nor screenplay...I thought the train of events was handled in a literate fashion, from a very long book. I saw this when it came out in 1963, and was quite absorbed by it's message; Preminger's films did that to me (I was 11 when I saw "Exodus" and was speechless afterward. Go figure.) The DVD is very well done, and I'm happy to have it in my collection. Tom Tryon carried the lead role with one facial expression, and, though very good looking, his career didn't last long. He became a best-selling author and I'm sure he's happier. The rest of the acting was OK, but it was really great to see Dorothy Gish as his mother. A class act. Also, Maggie McNamara hadn't had a decent role since "The Moon is Blue", so it was swell of Otto to give her a shot here; very good, too, as the bitter sister. This is not a great film, but Preminger's sure and courageous hand keep this film moving and never boring (at 3 hours). There was also so much anti-Catholic behavior going on within the church that I'm surprised the church didn't try to squash this whole project.Preminger has never failed to impress me. The man and his vision and talent are not to be taken lightly. Not to mention his desire to "tell it like it is".

good example of Hollywood in its hay day. disks fine.

This is a film from way back when, which I remember from having seen it in the movie theatres. I remembered that it had dealt with some very important issues, which remain important in our contemporary society. I found Otto Preminger's treatment of them interesting. I remember Tom Tryon as a cowboy, a naval officer, and an Irish Bostonian who is ultimately made a Cardinal. Even as a kid watching his cowboy character in a Disney TV series, I could see that he isn't a powerful actor. Everything is so understated, but maybe that's why Preminger used him in two important films (In Harm's Way and The Cardinal): he liked those characters to be understated.Nevertheless, I enjoyed the film and am happy to have it in my DVD/blue ray library.

I am not familiar with many movies that contain religious subject...but having seen Otto Preminger's The Cardinal (1963)I am was left with an impression that the director did not really care much for religion as for man's character tested againstdifferent social aspects of life throughout a turbulent first half of 20th century. Having said that, a religious viewer ( especially Roman Catholic one) should not expect much of a religious epiphany. But let me not dwell on the message the movie conveys, or tries to for that matter. Preminger as a film director and as a public person was known for his leftist- liberal views. Great part of his movies deal with topics such as: extramarital relationships, homosexuality, racism, drug addiction, or government corruption...He was also known for his hot temper, especially with his leading actors. Jean Seberg hated him and called him a tyrant, although he was the one who prompted her career as an actress, and Tom Tyron (the leading actor in The Cardinal) also resented Preminger. Story goes that, during the filming of The Cardinal, Tyron's parents came to visit him on the set, and Preminger supposedly fired him in front of his parents for no apparent reason but just to humiliate him. He later of course hired him back to finish the filming, yet Tyron suffered a nervous breakdown that left him with a bitter taste for film-making, which he consequently quit in 1969 and turned to writing movies scripts and novels.As for the film, it is long, so long that it contains an intermission (something not seen in today's movies). The story is interesting as it takes you through Vatican, Austria, Italy, Boston, and state of Georgia, and back to Vatican during the period between 1914-1939. It is a journey of a Catholic priest who tries to bring good to the mankind, sometimes sacrificing his own well-being and the well-being of his dear ones, all in the name of his one and only love----the religion of the Roman Catholic Church and its teachings.

It has been several years since I have watched this movie. It is a very emotional movie and involves some topics that are relevant in today's world and Catholic Church.

Great movie

Otto Preminger's THE CARDINAL is a worthwhile watch, the cinematography and location shooting is great. It's also got some very good bit performances by John Huston and Burgess Meredith. And, because it is pre-Vatican II, it has a nostalgic element with all the Latin Mass and pomp and circumstance. The film is essentially an apologia for the Catholic Church, with sequences that move the plot along while simultaneously explaining Catholic doctrines. But sadly Tom Tryon, the main star, is a little wooden. Also, in the section about Fascism, the Church is given far too much of a pass, it's pretty obvious at this point that the Vatican was very supportive of the Italian and Spanish fascist regimes and saw the political system as a viable anti-Communist political system. I'd say rent instead of buy this one unless you are a Preminger completist.