A young Catholic priest from Boston confronts bigotry, Nazism, and his own personal conflicts as he rises to the office of cardinal.
Production
Rome rebuilt on studio lots; Vatican scenes shot on location (rare permit).
Acting
Romy Schneider's 20-minute arc outshines Tryon's entire 3-hour journey.
Direction
Preminger's tracking shots through Boston slums and Austrian ballrooms.
Director
Otto Preminger
Tom Tryon
Stephen Fermoyle
Romy Schneider
Annemarie von Hartman
John Huston
Kardinal Glennon
Carol Lynley
Mona Fermoyle / Regina Fermoyle
Dorothy Gish
Celia Fermoyle
Maggie McNamara
Florrie Fermoyle
Bill Hayes
Frank Fermoyle
Cameron Prud'Homme
Din Fermoyle
John Saxon
Benny Rampell
Loring Smith
Cornelius J. Deegan
Cecil Kellaway
Monsignor Monaghan
Peter MacLean
Father Callahan
Burgess Meredith
Father Halley
Ossie Davis
Father Gillis
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Preminger fired original star star Gregory Peck for wanting script changes, then discovered Tryon in a parking lot. Seriously.
The film's 'condemned' status from the National Legion of Decency over the abortion scene actually boosted box office. Catholic guilt marketing works.
US
