The Cardinal Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An ambitious priest navigates family drama, tackles Nazis and the Klan, and constantly wonders if he should have just eloped, all while climbing the church ladder.

🍿 The Cardinal: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Aspirations and Early Challenges

Stephen Fermoyle, a young Catholic priest from Boston at the turn of the 20th century, begins his journey in the priesthood with ambition and a desire to serve. After completing his studies in Rome, he returns to America, full of certitude about his path towards potentially joining the College of Cardinals. His early career is immediately met with profound personal and moral dilemmas. One of the most significant challenges involves his sister, Mona, whose life and that of her unborn child, conceived out of wedlock, hang in the balance, forcing Stephen into an agonizing decision guided by strict religious doctrine.

Crises of Faith and Personal Struggles

As Stephen rises through the Church ranks, he faces moments that test his faith and commitment to his vows. A period of leave from the priesthood in Austria brings him into contact with Annemarie, a woman with whom he develops a deep connection, questioning his celibacy. He also confronts instances of profound social injustice. In Georgia, he witnesses and challenges intense racial bigotry ignored by elements within the Church hierarchy, highlighting the disparity between doctrine and practical action.

Navigating Political Turmoil

Stephen’s responsibilities broaden, involving him in the complex political landscape of Europe leading up to World War II. He encounters the growing threat of Nazism in Austria and witnesses the Church’s difficult position and varied responses to the Third Reich. These experiences further shape his understanding of the Church’s role in the world and the personal sacrifices required to uphold his principles.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Stephen Fermoyle (Tom Tryon): The ambitious young priest from Boston who rises through the Catholic hierarchy while confronting personal and societal challenges.
• Cardinal Glennon (John Huston): Stephen’s early superior and mentor in Boston who challenges his ambition and guides his early career.
• Mona (Carol Lynley): Stephen’s sister whose out-of-wedlock pregnancy and subsequent death create a major moral crisis for him.
• Annemarie (Romy Schneider): An Austrian woman Stephen meets and falls in love with while questioning his vows, representing a conflict between love and priesthood.
• Father Ned Halley (Burgess Meredith): An older, simple parish priest dying of multiple sclerosis whose faith and humility influence Stephen.
• Father Gillis (Ossie Davis): An African-American priest whose church is burned by the KKK, prompting Stephen to confront racial injustice in the South.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cardinal Glennon: “You’re not afraid of me, are you?” – Asked brusquely to Stephen Fermoyle early in his career, challenging his ambition and independence.
• Stephen Fermoyle: “No.” – Stephen’s direct and defiant response to Cardinal Glennon, indicating his moral resolve and lack of fear.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $11,600,000
• Worldwide Gross: $11,600,000

💥 The Cardinal Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched ‘The Cardinal,’ and wow, it’s a long one, but totally absorbing. I went in expecting a dry religious drama, but it’s much more than that. It’s really about a guy wrestling with huge moral dilemmas and his own humanity while trying to serve something bigger than himself. The abortion scene early on is still pretty intense, even today. It sticks with you, and you really feel the impossible position Stephen is in. And the part in Georgia dealing with racism? That felt incredibly brave for a film from the 60s. Sure, Tom Tryon can be a bit stoic, but I actually liked seeing a protagonist who isn’t always outwardly emotional. It made his internal struggles feel more real. And the supporting cast, especially John Huston, is just fantastic. Overall, it’s a fascinating look at faith, history, and the tough choices people make. It definitely made me think.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas, particularly those covering the early to mid-20th century.”
  • “Audiences interested in stories about religious life, faith, and moral dilemmas.”
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood epics.”
  • “Those interested in the Catholic Church’s historical context.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depictions of bigotry and racism (including Ku Klux Klan violence).”
  • “Discussion and depiction of abortion (considered shocking for its time).”
  • “Themes of war and Nazism.”
  • “Mature themes and moral conflicts.”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Otto Preminger’s epic tackles sweeping historical and moral themes with grand scope and stunning visuals. While the lead performance occasionally feels stiff, the film is anchored by powerful supporting turns, particularly John Huston’s Oscar-nominated role. A thought-provoking, if somewhat episodic, journey through a tumultuous era.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Lavishly produced and visually impressive, ‘The Cardinal’ dives deep into the personal and institutional challenges faced by a rising clergyman. Its length is substantial, and some segments feel more compelling than others, but the film asks big questions about faith, duty, and societal change with remarkable candor for its time.

Audience Reactions

Viewers found the film’s tackling of controversial issues like abortion and racism surprisingly bold and impactful for its time.: Many praised the film’s impressive scope, beautiful cinematography, and the powerful performances from the supporting cast, particularly John Huston and Burgess Meredith.

Overall Consensus: A sprawling, well-intentioned historical drama tackling significant moral and historical issues, generally praised for its production values, supporting cast, and thematic depth, despite being seen by some as overlong and having a less compelling lead.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Vatican bankrolled some of the film’s production, and the Vatican liaison assigned to the film was a young Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI.”
• “Director Otto Preminger was known for his difficult temperament on set, and reportedly treated lead actor Tom Tryon abusively, even firing him in front of his visiting parents at one point before rehiring him. Tryon later retired from acting and became a successful novelist.”
• “The film’s epic score was composed by Jerome Moross, best known for his score for ‘The Big Country’ (1958).”
• “The story is loosely based on the life of Cardinal Spellman of New York, although details were changed.”
• “Otto Preminger, known for tackling controversial subjects and challenging censorship, addressed topics like abortion, racial discrimination, and the Church’s stance on Nazism in this film, considered quite bold for 1963.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Cardinal?

As a classic film from 1963, ‘The Cardinal’ may be available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. Check major services such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube Movies, and Google Play Movies & TV for current availability. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray might also be an option for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Cardinal, you might like these similar films:

• The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968): Another epic drama charting the rise of a clergyman (in this case, to the papacy) and dealing with faith, politics, and global issues.
• A Man for All Seasons (1966): Focuses on a man of deep faith (Sir Thomas More) navigating complex moral and political dilemmas while upholding his principles against powerful opposition.
• Exodus (1960): Also directed by Otto Preminger, this is another sweeping historical epic dealing with a national struggle and large-scale human drama, reflecting the era’s filmmaking style.
• Spotlight (2015): While focused on a different issue, this film also delves into the institutional challenges and complexities within the Catholic Church, offering a modern perspective on its internal workings.
• The Thorn Birds (TV Mini-series, 1983): A popular and lengthy adaptation dealing with the life and struggles of a Catholic priest over many decades, including forbidden love and personal sacrifices.

🛒 The Cardinal Related Products

• The Cardinal by Henry Morton Robinson: The bestselling novel that inspired the film. Dive deeper into Stephen Fermoyle’s journey and the complexities of the Catholic Church in the early 20th century.
• The Cardinal (Blu-ray/DVD): Own the restored version of Otto Preminger’s epic film. Experience the stunning cinematography and powerful drama in high definition.
• Jerome Moross: The Big Country and Other Film Scores (Album): A collection featuring the sweeping and emotional score of ‘The Cardinal’ by acclaimed composer Jerome Moross, alongside his other notable works.
• History of the Catholic Church in the 20th Century: Explore the real historical context touched upon in the film, including the Church’s interactions with major world events and societal changes.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Cardinal features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “They Haven’t Got the Girls in the U.S.A.” – performed by Robert Morse
• “Main Theme / Original Score” – performed by Jerome Moross

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Sacerdotal Ordination in the ROMAN RITE || [‘The Cardinal’ 1963]

Ever wondered about the real-life ordination ceremony shown in The Cardinal? This video breaks down that exact ritual from the movie, which I found super interesting to see how accurately (or not!) they portrayed it.

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