I Confess (1953)

Otto Kellar and his wife Alma work as caretaker and housekeeper at a Catholic church in Quebec. Whilst robbing a house where he sometimes works as a gardener Otto is caught and kills the owner. Racked with guilt he heads back to the church where Father Michael Logan is working late. Otto confesses his crime but when the police begin to suspect Father Logan he cannot reveal what he has been told in the confession.Running Time: 95 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 085393186326 Product Description

A classic Hitchcock thriller does not disappoint

This is the classic Hitchcock thriller. Wonderfully done, it takes place in Montreal. The movie begins with a Catholic priest hearing the confession of a man who just committed murder.

Of course, the priest can say nothing. He cannot even say whether or not he even heard the confession of the man.

The Catholic Church is treated respectfully in this 1950s movie. (Which is probably why it is never shown on TV!) It is not a religious movie by any means, but it is, like so many Hitchcock movies, an excellent character study on life, choices people make and how people behave under incredible stress. April 23, 2008

"I CONFESS" IS AN UNDER RATED CLASSIC.

THE VILLAIN IS REMORESFUL AND ALTERNATINGLY EVIL. THE PRIEST IS A VICTIM OF THE CONFESSIONAL.
TO REMAIN THE TRUE PRIEST THAT HE IS,HE MUST KEEP THE VOW OF SILENCE. EVEN THOUGH HE IS BLAMED
FOR A MURDER HE DID NOT COMMIT. THE LOOK ON MONGOMERY CLIFT'S FACE SAYS IT ALL. KARL MALDEN,
ANNE BAXTER AND THE REST OF THE CAST ARE EXCELLENT. THE ON LOCATION SCENES OF QUEBEC ARE
A BIG,BIG BONUS TO THIS MOVIE. OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES (INTERVIEWS ETC.) ARE INCLUDED IN THIS
WORTH THE PRICE DVD. December 29, 2007

Integrity at Any Price

With today's movie climate where every virtue is ridiculed and religious leaders are especially targets of slander, this movie portrays a Catholic Priest who will not compromise his vocation or his integrity at any cost. It is a salve for our cynical hearts with a believable story and character that convey the positives of humanity and true moral character. Fr. Logan (Montgomery Clift) is every man and woman who is challenged to compromise their moral standards. Refusing to give in to the pressures of this world and take the easy road can carry a heavy price. But living without integrity costs us far more in self-respect and dignity. This is an intense film well played by the cast; it will draw you in and make you part of the story to the nail-biting end. A great film to spark discussion and entertaining at the same time. July 16, 2007

Will a priest break the Confessional to save himself?

"I Confess" has many similarities to Hitchcock's "The Wrong Man" in its theme of an innocent man caught up in the machinations of the justice system. Like "The Wrong Man" it also contains the most overt reference to Hitchcock's Catholic upbringing.

The plot hinges on the sanctity of the Catholic Confessional and whether a priest (played by Montgomery Clift) will break it to save himself.

The exteriors of the film were (beautifully) shot in Quebec and this really adds to the look and atmosphere of the film.

Clift is superb as the priest - he captures the brooding intensity of the character - and shows the value of the "method" acting style that he and others brought to Hollywood in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

My one quibble with the morality of Clift's character is that his inaction leads to the unnecessary death of two innocent people. Hitchcock originally wanted the priest to die at the end but Joseph Breen - head of the Production Code Administration (PCA) and a staunch Catholic - would not allow this.

"I Confess" is not top-drawer Hitchcock but still good entertainment particulary for Hitchcock buffs. July 14, 2007

Great movie

Great and deep movie, beautifully photographed. Great cast. Good job from Montgomery Cliff.

Of course, to me the star of the movie is Quebec City. I lived in Old Quebec for years, so it's quite a treat to see
the city so beautifully photographed. And see the actors walking on streets i know. And, yes, there is still a lot of one-way streets in the Old town.

At least one of the french-canadian actors playing bit parts in I Confess is still working in televison today ! And one of the witness little girls ( #2 ) was an anchorwoman on state television in the 80's. July 4, 2007

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