The Cardinal

[Lino]

Been catching up on some unwatched Preminger and this epic 3 hour movie was quite the surprise. Yes, it is terribly old-fashioned and it sometimes feels soap-opera-ish but it never lets steam and I found myself enjoying it much more as it went by. In fact, I definitely think it gets better and better by the end.

It's the story of an american priest who ends up being the proverbial Cardinal of our film. It's told through use of long flashbacks that are used to narrate the most important phases of his life. It's a sort of "how did he end up there" kind of trick.

Anyway, I'm obviously not going to tell you a run-down of a 3 hour movie here but just to highlight some of the things I liked best about it. For starters, we have a killer Saul Bass opening credits sequence, making the best possible use of the geometric lines of roman streets and buildings. Just beautiful simmetry, really. In fact, I should note that although I'm not very familiar with Preminger's years at Fox (apart from Carmen Jones and River of No Return, his two last ones over there), I am a big fan of his Saul Bass phase, so to speak, starting with The Man with the Golden Arm upwards.

Then we have a glorious cinematography, richly enhanced by a terrific transfer. Never have I seen such deep, crimson reds or bright cardinal ones. Superb stuff here and extremely subtle but effective camera moves. Movie language has seldom been more classic than this.

But what really struck me is how deep and controversial the whole story got. And the amount of feedback it gave me. Very thankful for that. It actually made me want to read the book this film was based on just to get that extra info about certain issues that are discussed and exposed. Actually, I think that as a piece of religious cinema, it should be essential viewing for all catholics and christians alike.

[Lemmy Caution]

Then we have a glorious cinematography, richly enhanced by a terrific transfer. Never have I seen such deep, crimson reds or bright cardinal ones. Superb stuff here and extremely subtle but effective camera moves. Movie language has seldom been more classic than this.

But what really struck me is how deep and controversial the whole story got.

I watched this for the first time about 2 weeks ago. I'm way behind on Preminger, only having previously only seen Golden Arm and Laura. Now I'll have to dig out my copy of Carmen Jones. Always on the lookout for Anatomy of a Murder.

I'm not usually a fan of garish technicolor of that era. And I generally have trouble with long films. But here the colors looked great, and even the blacks had a warm richness to them. The story drifts into meldrama, but it's that good kind of melodrama which addresses large issues and gets the viewer involved.

Many of the issues must have been boldly controversial at the time, while some of them were also curiously contemporary (partial birth abortion; racism; religion and social justice) . It's essentially a 20th C history of the Roman Catholic Church, from the perspective of 1963, as seen through one priest's rise to cardinal. The film manages to impart an epic-heroic quality to one man's life, by way of focusing on the trials of living a spiritual life within a material world. Sure it's episodic, creaks a little at times, and some of the messages may be administered with a heavy hand, but the film still has the feel of a classic. The pace and look of the film is quite good, though sometimes the editing at the end of scenes is somewhat choppy.

I should also add that there is a very nice cast of role players spread throughout the various episodes: Dorothy Gish, John Huston, Burgess Meredith, Romy Schneider, Ossie Davis, Raf Vallone, Chill Wills. And the splendor of some of the locations, especially the churches and The Vatican, is also impressive.
Recommended, but just make sure you have 3 hours to spare. The version I have is spread over 2 discs and comes with an intermission (originally part of the film).

[Steven H]

What made The Cardinal, for me, is that I watched it chronologically right after Advise and Consent, one of the great American films of the sixties, I believe. I haven't read much about Preminger's auteurship, but he was certainly "edgy" or provocative in a way other Hollywood filmmakers of his time were not (and how many can claim such an ecclectic selection of films?). Tom Tryon was gay, which adds another interesting layer to the film, and Huston was nominated for an academy award for his role (nothing makes me want to see The Other Side of the Wind more than seeing him in this film). The Cardinal was also the last film of Dorothy Gish, Lillian's sister.

The documentary included in this disc is fantastic as well, excitedly narrated by Burgess Meredith, and goes through Preminger's career film by film.

[Lino]

The documentary included in this disc is fantastic as well, excitedly narrated by Burgess Meredith, and goes through Preminger's career film by film.

Agreed. I found it very informative but was surprised at the ommitions of his two musicals: Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess, two landmarks in cinema history from whatever angle you see it. Not to mention, Skidoo, which I'm dying to see for the longest time (I know it probably will stink but I'm still curious about it, nonetheless).

Preminger has always been a favorite of mine since first watching Bonjour Tristesse in my youth and falling in love with it (and Jean Seberg too!). I've since watched many of his films and enjoyed them all and my only regret is that he doesn't get mentioned as much as he ought to these days. Brilliant and charismatic man he was.

[Gordon]

Coincidentally, I was thinking about ordering this last week, as it includes what I believe is the only documentary ever produced on Otto. It was produced by his niece, I believe - one of his relations, at least. Regardless of the quality of writing and acting, his films are worth studying for their cinematography and camera moves. Tyranical motherfucker, though. Don't make 'em like dat an'more.

[Lino]

Coincidentally, I was thinking about ordering this last week, as it includes what I believe is the only documentary ever produced on Otto.

There's also this one, apparently. Never seen it, though. But the one on the bonus disc of The Cardinal DVD is fantastic. 2 hours of Preminger movie buff heaven.

[otis]

There seem to be two versions of this film available, the 2-disc edition Warner put out in 2003:



and a 2005 single disc, also from Warner:



Anybody know if they both use the same transfer? I'd be happy to pass on the 2003 documentary (despite the praise for it here) if the 2005 picture quality is just as good.

[otis]

Hi, David

Do you have the 2-disc Warner with the Preminger documentary? I've seen caps of it and it looks good, I just wanted to know if the single-disc edition (also from Warner) is the same transfer, as it's about a third of the price at Amazon.

[otis]

What do you reckon to the documentary? Any good?

[George Kaplan]

It has been quite some time since I've viewed the documentary, so I can't comment at this time on its merits (though I recall drinking it all in - being a dyed-in-the-wool Preminger fan) however it was directed by Valerie A. Robins. Sadly, in related news, from 02/13/2009, this was brought to my attention.

[otis]

Thanks, chaps! I've bitten the bullet and splashed out for the 2-disc...