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      Elmer Gantry

      Released Jul 7, 1960 2 hr. 25 min. Drama List
      94% 33 Reviews Tomatometer 87% 2,500+ Ratings Audience Score When hedonistic but charming con man Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster) meets the beautiful Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons), a roadside revivalist, he feigns piousness to join her act as a passionate preacher. The two make a successful onstage pair, and their chemistry extends to romance. Both the show and their relationship are threatened, however, when one of Gantry's ex-lovers (Shirley Jones) decides that she has a score to settle with the charismatic performer. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (196) audience reviews
      Jeff S Burt Lancaster is spell-binding in this fascinating film that's often humorous, frequently insightful, and somehow manages to be incredibly poignant while it's being exploitive. Elmer Gantry illustrates that many of the most deleterious vices can seem anything but sinful. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/09/24 Full Review Alec B Often it appears to be engaging in the kind of hypocritical moralizing the movie is also condemning. That said Lancaster is completely captivating as is the rest of the cast. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/24 Full Review John H Amazing film about false worship but also faith Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/24 Full Review Lequisha S [11/3/20]: [didn't officially rate it, putting 4.5*] "I genuinely loved it, had well-rounded characters. Liked that they condemned commercialization of religion and showmanship preaching instead of the entirety of organized religion. Very charismatic performance." Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/29/22 Full Review Audience Member Often it appears to be engaging in the kind of hypocritical moralizing the movie is also condemning. That said Lancaster is completely captivating as is the rest of the cast. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Tom M Lancaster's Oscar winning Gantry is perfectly supported by Simmons' innocent Sharon and prostitute Jones, who also won an Oscar. Story becomes an overlong morality play with an overstated ending. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/21 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Dan Jardine Slant Magazine The film pulls few punches in its story of the hypocrisy, materialism, and opportunism at the heart of the evangelical world of Bible-thumping barnstorming revival troupes Rated: 80/100 Aug 6, 2010 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Brooks honors the spirit of Lewis' cynical commentary on circus-type primitive exhortation with pictorial imagery that is always pungent. He also has written dialog that is frank and biting. Apr 8, 2008 Full Review Kim Newman Empire Magazine This gets progressively nastier and winds up with an impressive hellfire finish. Rated: 4/5 Apr 8, 2008 Full Review Gerri Major Jet Magazine The film does not attack the church; it exposes those who misuse religion for profit and turn the solemnity of our church service into a revival circus. The result of Brooks’ license with the novel is a motion picture that holds you spellbound. Jan 17, 2024 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Every preached word that comes out of Lancaster's mouth elevates the film's dramatic potential and illuminates the scenes like a miracle fallen from heaven. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 7/10 Nov 14, 2021 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine The title-role character, a preacher with a weakness for wild women and whisky, is more believable in scriptwriter-director Richard Brooks' film than he was in the Sinclair Lewis novel; the part is played with skill and gusto by Burt Lancaster. Nov 7, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis When hedonistic but charming con man Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster) meets the beautiful Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons), a roadside revivalist, he feigns piousness to join her act as a passionate preacher. The two make a successful onstage pair, and their chemistry extends to romance. Both the show and their relationship are threatened, however, when one of Gantry's ex-lovers (Shirley Jones) decides that she has a score to settle with the charismatic performer.
      Director
      Richard Brooks
      Screenwriter
      Richard Brooks, Sinclair Lewis
      Distributor
      United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
      Production Co
      United Artists
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jul 7, 1960, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      May 22, 2017
      Sound Mix
      Mono
      Aspect Ratio
      35mm, 1.66:1