A young Catholic priest named Stephen Fermoyle (Tom Tryon) from Boston confronts bigotry , Nazism, and his own personal conflicts as he rises to the office of cardinal .In Austria, he takes on the question of whether to remain with the priesthood or leave his promise so that he can be with a gorgeous woman (Romy Schneider) he wishes . In Georgia, he contends with Ku Klux Klan and helps another priest (Ossie Davis) to face off racial bigotry . And in Austria, he finds himself personally involved in the dealings of the collaborationist Cardinal Innitzer (Josef Meinrad) with the Third Reich under command of governor Seyss-Inquart (Frey).
Good film with thought-provoking issues and dealing with an Irish-American's rise from a simple priest to the college of Cardinals . The priest singlehandedly attempts to stop bigotry , Nazis , strife and many other difficulties . The film concerns shocking themes for that time as when he must decide whether to save the life of his sister or her unborn child, conceived out of wedlock . The Vatican bankrolled some of the film, and the Vatican liaison was a young Joseph Ratzinger, future Catholic Pope (2005) as Benedict XVI. A truly memorable cast full of good players with special mention to starring Tom Tryon and Romy Schneider . Tryon was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1963 for his acting , but suffered immensely under Otto Preminger's notorious abusive treatment of actor ; at one point during filming, Preminger fired Tryon in front of his parents when they visited the set, then rehired him after being satisfied that Tryon had been sufficiently humiliated , this type of treatment was a big turning point for Tryon, who eventually retired from acting and turned to a successful writing career . Furthermore , an outstanding support cast as Burgess Meredith , John Saxon , Carol Lynley , John Huston , Robert Morse , Cecil Kellaway and feature film of Russ Brown and equally for the late Maggie McNamara in her last character. Enjoyable and sensible musical score by Jerome Moross . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Leon Shamroy.
The motion picture deals with historical events and specially about the ¨Anschluss¨ , it was the occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938 . Earlier, Nazi Germany had provided support for the Austrian National Socialist Party in its bid to seize power from Austria's Austrofascist leadership.Devoted to remaining independent but under considerable pressure from both Austrian and German Nazis, Austria's Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg tried to hold a referendum for a vote on the issue. Although Schuschnigg expected Austria to vote in favour of maintaining autonomy, a well-planned coup d'état by the Austrian Nazi Party of Austria's state institutions in Vienna took place on 11 March 1938, prior to the referendum, which they canceled. They transferred power to Germany, and the Wehrmacht troops entered Austria to enforce the Anschluss. The Nazis held a plebiscite within the following month, asking the people to ratify it . Although the Allies were committed to upholding the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and St. Germain, which specifically prohibited the union of Austria and the German Empire, their reaction was only verbal and moderate.
This epic point of view of a rise of an obstinate young priest from a backwoods clergyman until Cardinal was well directed by Otto Preminger , but emerge some flaws , being alternately compelling and uneven .
Good film with thought-provoking issues and dealing with an Irish-American's rise from a simple priest to the college of Cardinals . The priest singlehandedly attempts to stop bigotry , Nazis , strife and many other difficulties . The film concerns shocking themes for that time as when he must decide whether to save the life of his sister or her unborn child, conceived out of wedlock . The Vatican bankrolled some of the film, and the Vatican liaison was a young Joseph Ratzinger, future Catholic Pope (2005) as Benedict XVI. A truly memorable cast full of good players with special mention to starring Tom Tryon and Romy Schneider . Tryon was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1963 for his acting , but suffered immensely under Otto Preminger's notorious abusive treatment of actor ; at one point during filming, Preminger fired Tryon in front of his parents when they visited the set, then rehired him after being satisfied that Tryon had been sufficiently humiliated , this type of treatment was a big turning point for Tryon, who eventually retired from acting and turned to a successful writing career . Furthermore , an outstanding support cast as Burgess Meredith , John Saxon , Carol Lynley , John Huston , Robert Morse , Cecil Kellaway and feature film of Russ Brown and equally for the late Maggie McNamara in her last character. Enjoyable and sensible musical score by Jerome Moross . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Leon Shamroy.
The motion picture deals with historical events and specially about the ¨Anschluss¨ , it was the occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938 . Earlier, Nazi Germany had provided support for the Austrian National Socialist Party in its bid to seize power from Austria's Austrofascist leadership.Devoted to remaining independent but under considerable pressure from both Austrian and German Nazis, Austria's Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg tried to hold a referendum for a vote on the issue. Although Schuschnigg expected Austria to vote in favour of maintaining autonomy, a well-planned coup d'état by the Austrian Nazi Party of Austria's state institutions in Vienna took place on 11 March 1938, prior to the referendum, which they canceled. They transferred power to Germany, and the Wehrmacht troops entered Austria to enforce the Anschluss. The Nazis held a plebiscite within the following month, asking the people to ratify it . Although the Allies were committed to upholding the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and St. Germain, which specifically prohibited the union of Austria and the German Empire, their reaction was only verbal and moderate.
This epic point of view of a rise of an obstinate young priest from a backwoods clergyman until Cardinal was well directed by Otto Preminger , but emerge some flaws , being alternately compelling and uneven .