Customer Reviews

Elmer Gantry [VHS]

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This was Burt Lancaster's Oscar winner, a film in which the great performer achieved a Best Actor statuette for, according to those who knew him from his East Harlem days, largely playing himself. The fast talking Elmer Gantry, the colorful lead of the film of the same name, uses his gift of gab to get him by in what the Bible pounding revivalist recognizes is a tough world. When the film was released Lancaster reportedly heard from friends during his New York youth that he had not seen in years, who recalled the youthful Lancaster's gift of gab, which had become a neighborhood staple.

Lancaster, along with the film's producer-director-writer Richard Brooks, recognized the cinematic potential of the Prohibition era novel by America's first Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Minnesotan Sinclair Lewis. Gantry alternates as a poker playing, whisky drinking, brawling brothel habitue and a stern-faced preacher extolling the masses in packed tent services to toe the mark for the Lord or face the fires of hell.

Lancaster and Brooks spent six months in the director's office hashing out the story, two emotional creative forces hellbent on achieving the major success which resulted. The effort earned a Best Screenplay Oscar for Brooks. The story that was put on the screen in the 1960 classic involved non-stop action and biting irony, along with a needed touch of humor to lighten the story's heavy impact.

Lancaster's transitory existence is revealed in the first scene of the film, when he barely escapes with his life after being attacked by a group of hobos in the box car of a train on which he is riding. It is not long after that when Lancaster steps into a church and hears a sermon from the beautiful Sister Sharon Falconer, played by the woman who would soon become director Brooks' wife, Jean Simmons. His sights set on the comely brunette, Lancaster demonstrates his cunning wiles by using Patty Paige, who has a crush on him, to get better acquainted with Simmons. While Paige was clearly impressed as well as smitten with the fast talking Gantry, Dean Jaggers, Simmons' partner in the traveling evangelical enterprise, believes that the itinerant preacher's methods are disgusting. This is not the kind of Christianity which Jaggers, a more cerebral type than the earthy Gantry, seeks to promote.

One of the pivotal dialogue lines of the film comes after Jagger openly expresses his disgust with Gantry. "You're better than the people," Lancaster explains. "I am the people!"

After Gantry becomes a hit, drawing big crowds, he is brutally sideswiped by his past in the form of Shirley Jones, a prostitute and ex-girlfriend of the fast living preacher. He is set up by unsavory associates of Jones', after which a graphic account of his association with her appears in the local newspaper. Jones secured a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role.

When Gantry is physically attacked during a tent service, local reporter Arthur Kennedy, the town agnostic, comes to his defense and throws punches at the preacher's antagonists. Kennedy is impressed by Gantry's air of bravado. Lancaster also likes Kennedy and the two men share whiskey, smoke cigars, and swap racy stories.

The film ends on a tragic note with a tent fire and the ensuing death of Simmons. The fire sequence is compelling, reminiscent of such great fire scenes as those in two thirties' films, "Gone With The Wind" and "In Old Chicago."

Elmer Gantry is one of the most fascinating figures ever to appear on screen. While his alcohol swilling, brothel visiting, risque story telling side reeks of hypocrisy, it is also plain to see that he believes in the salvation he preaches in the most emotional terms. At bottom, he is human and a possessor of human frailties, less than what he in sober moments realizes he ought to be, but willing to do what it takes to preach the message he feels compelled to deliver. At one point he blackmails one of the city's leading landlords, George F. Babbit, the primary character of the hugely successful novel by Lewis, "Babbit," to donate money to put Sistern Sharon and her group on radio after informing him that he knows he is renting out buildings to prostitution operators to carry out their trade.

If Elmer Gantry were merely a satire and an exposé of revivalism it would not be as powerful and subtle as it is. Gantry, as played by a brilliant Burt Lancaster, may be a hypocrite in that he does not practice what he preaches, but there is no doubt in my mind that he genuinely believes. This makes him a complex character for we are not altogether sure what his motives are. When he joins Sister Sharon's evangelical crusade it is unclear whether he does it because he is attracted to her, because he hopes to make money, or whether along with these motives he really wishes to spread the word.

The characters in this film have all the failings of human beings. Jean Simmons, acting the part of Sister Sharon, makes her seem almost like a saint. In the end she comes to resemble Joan of Arc. However, her image of purity is mixed with other factors. She has ambition and she has desire. This mixture makes her a rounded and interesting character. It would have been easy to make a film where Gantry and Sharon were mere charlatans, but then we would not care about them. Instead the film presents a complex but ultimately sympathetic view of faith. Even Arthur Kennedy's sceptical newspaperman admits that he wishes he could believe. Gantry may have many faults but he is a good man. He is kind to the prostitute, played by Shirley Jones, even after she has tried to destroy him. Thus, despite his lapses, he shows the strength and the quality of his faith.

The print used for this DVD is presented in its original ratio, it is clear and has very little apparent damage. The DVD also includes the original theatrical trailer.

Elmer Gantry, (Burt Lancaster), is a travelling evangelist with one eye on the Lord and one eye on the ladies! Elmer put's his amazing gift of the gab to use by preaching in tent meetings. Along the way he meets Sister Falconer, (Jean Simmons), who takes him under her wing, there working relationship soon turns personal.

Elmer Gantry is one of the greatest, (in my opinion), movies ever made. Burt Lancaster won his only oscar for his dynamic manic performance as the charlatan with a heart of gold. His preaching style is bombastic, his personal life morally bankrupt. It's really eerie how he resembles a number of "Evangelists", that I have come across in person or on the television. Elmer Gantry truly represents a lot of the tele-evangelists that have come and gone over the last 50 years or so as does Sister Falconer.

Watching Burt Lancaster in full flight as he belts out his sermons and slides across the platform is a true joy to behold. It's a really great actor in his prime, and wonderfully entertaining.

All in all it's a great romp with fantastic dialogue, wonderful performances and it's controversial theme packs a punch even today when Tele-evangelist, whilst know less popular, are still racking in the big bucks and filling stadiums with willing followers. To the Christian, let this film be a lesson for all of us, there are wolves in sheeps clothing around.

Thanks for reading and enjoy and maybe be educated by this wonderful film.

A superb film. Simply profound. The sermons are as stirring today as when the screenplay was written.

Words can't express how great Burt Lancaster is in this film.

But like most truly significant movie classics, the supporting cast adds substance and strength to the overall impact of "Elmer Gantry." Shirley Jones is as sexy as any female that has appeared on the screen. Jean Simmons is spellbinding as Sister Sharon.

The film's highlight for me was the meeting involving Sister Sharon, Gantry, and William Morgan with a group of ministers negotiating the terms of a planned extended tent ministry in the fictious city of Zenith. Distrubing and embarassing -- always thought provoking.

A memorable film, worthy of repeated viewings and serious contemplation.

I highly recommend Elmer Gantry, especially for those who take their religion seriously. If one values an attempt to see the darker side of his religion, and some ways that faith can be tranformed into hyprocrisy, this movie is for you. If you are a Christian who takes your religion seriously, and perhaps lack a sense of humor and perspective, this film could enflame you. But if your faith in God can stand some critical examination, then I very highly recommend Elmer Gantry. Those who think that the film is merely a cynical portrayal of evangelical or fundamentalist Christianity would do well to reflect on the story's end, when Gantry undergoes a spiritual conversion and gives up his sham preaching. For Christian and unbeliever alike, the film is very powerful and provocative. There is an effective contrast in the story between Gantry, the self-seeker who uses religion for personal gain and fame, and Sister Sharon, the true believer who is charmed by Gantry's magnetic personality. These two characters are so well portrayed and acted that each becomes a powerful symbol of forces in the soul: ultimately, self-love and the love of God, or on a less inclusive level, religious hypocrisy and true belief (if not mature faith). Sister Sharon believes and loves; Gantry disbelieves and loves only himself. That portrait holds true until the end, when Gantry undergoes a dramatic and, I believe, convincing conversion. The cost of his conversion was the life of Sister Sharon.

"Elmer Gantry" is an amazing film that does not seem dated at all, having lost none of its bite or appeal with the passing of time. Taken from the classic Sinclair Lewis novel of the same name, director Richard Brooks garnered an Oscar for Best Screenplay for his adaptation, and Burt Lancaster won his sole Best Actor Oscar for his performance as Elmer Gantry. Gantry is an over-the-top opportunistic traveling salesman who teams up with evangelist Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons) to promote religion in 1920's America. Gantry turns out to be the perfect publicity compliment to Sister Sharon, who, unlike him, is a true believer. Where she is quiet and gentle with her manner of preaching, he is all fire and brimstone, literally throwing himself about the audience and inflaming them into repentance.

Burt Lancaster commands the screen: all flashing teeth, athletic energy, charisma, and wild hair, using his own physical prowess to great advantage. The angelic and lovely Jean Simmons, who had legions of adoring male fans when she was in her ethereal prime, portrays Sister Sharon (loosely based on a well-known real-life revivalist of the early 1920's, Aimee Semple McPherson, about whom I'd heard from my grandmother) in a manner reminiscent of her character in "Spartacus" - she was the perfect choice for this role, as was Lancaster for his.

Shirley Jones was awarded the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her lively portrayal of prostitute Lulu Bains, whose past history with Gantry comes back to haunt him, with some of the best lines in the film - gleefully laughing as she dances about a room full of her fellow prostitutes, she recounts that "He rammed the fear of God into me so fast I never heard my old man's footsteps!"

Watching Burt Lancaster in his prime use his athletic ability (he was a circus acrobat before he became an actor) and physical grace helps make his performance truly electrifying. And he also manages to believably evolve Elmer Gantry from loud-mouthed salesman to a sympathetic and honest human being over the course of the film.

The top-notch supporting cast includes Arthur Kennedy, Patti Page, Dean Jagger, and John McIntire.

"Elmer Gantry" has always been one of my favorite films, and it definitely is time to see an upgraded DVD version of this timeless classic. For this is a movie that I think is timeless and relevant. The movie, set in a world of tent revivalism, accurately predated many of the scandals we saw in the world of tele-evangelism throughout the eighties, nineties, and present day. That a film from 1960 could still reflect current trends is absolutely amazing to me. Every time I sit down to watch "Elmer Gantry," it blows me away.

For those who have been cautious about approaching a film based on evangelism, let me assure you that this is glorious entertainment. Not staid, austere, or preachy--"Elmer Gantry" is a rare film that reinforces religious conviction at the same time it is subverting the subject. For on the surface, Gantry is a charlatan and a performer. The film is an expose of corruption and hypocrisy within the religious community portrayed. However, his character is counterbalanced by Sister Sharon--a flawed woman of real faith. At first, you feel her participation makes her complicit in wrongdoing--but eventually you see a raw passion and clear belief emerge.

The movie benefits from great performances. This is the quintessential Burt Lancaster performance, one that won him an Oscar. Elmer capitalizes on the charm and magnetism that made Lancaster a star, and he is so robust, vital, and alive--it may be the showiest, yet grounded, performance in history. Shirley Jones also picked up a well deserved Supporting Actress Oscar for her out-of-character role as a prostitute. Very evil and seemingly having the time of her life, this is a far cry from "The Partridge Family" or "Oklahoma." But, for me, the heart and soul of this piece is the overlooked (and always underrated) Jean Simmons. Her Sister Sharon is a remarkably complex character, one of the most well rounded portraits of a religious leader in film. Far from a saint, she is ambitious and lustful. Caught between right and wrong, she is also a devout believer who genuinely wants to spread goodness. It's a perfectly nuanced role.

With an Oscar winning screenplay, as well, this is a pitch perfect examination of faith, duty, loyalty and choice. It's a powerhouse of emotion--as real and relevant today as it was over 45 years ago. But more significant, it is absolutely entertaining--it's fast, wildly dramatic, and wickedly funny. So for whatever reason you may approach "Elmer Gantry," approach it you must. Not necessarily considered an epic, to me "Gantry" is a true classic and epic in every way. KGHarris, 11/06.

Even if you find yourself falling asleep during a sermon, you won't be able to here. Brother Gantry won't allow it. Brother Gantry is the zealous, fiery new preacher who is here to warn the world that we're all sinners... and we'll go straight to hell if we don't repent! Repent and join the big baseball team headed by "Jesus Christ, himself!". As Elmer Gantry, Burt Lancaster is at the epitome of his charm and dynamic personality as the smooth-talking, fire-and-brimstone preaching character who brings an evangelical woman's (Jean Simmons) religious organization to prominence through his zestful sermons. It will work out just fine... as long as the people don't know that Brother Gantry is a lusty sinner himself, his best friend a blonde prostitute (Shirley Jones, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for this role) and his flexible morals and ideals are hidden. Lancaster won a Best Actor Oscar for the role, and deservedly so, for he is Elmer Gantry: his sparkling blue eyes, and mile-wide smile set the standard of a persuasive salesman, selling religion to those manipulated by his exacting pull. Richard Brooks' incredible screenplay and crisp direction make "Elmer Gantry" the great Burt Lancaster film of all time.

"Elmer Gantry" has entered the vernacular to be synonymous with charlatan preacher so I approached this film with some preconceived notions. What impressed me about the film was the complexity of it's characters with all their virtues and failings. Nobody in this film is initially what they seem from Gantry (Burt Lancaster) to the prostitute from his past(Shirley Jones). The thing that is most compelling about Gantry is we are kept guessing to the very end to his motives. The film starts with Gantry as a smooth-talking traveling salesman when opportunity presents itself and he soon finds himself in the tent revival show of Sister Sharon Falconer(Jean Simmons). Gantry and Falconer present an interesting contrast where he orates fire and brimstone and she preaches more low-key about the virtues of milk and honey. On the surface one could say that Gantry is a shameless huckster and that Falconer is his patsy, however, the film I think demonstrates that he has faith and that she has some ulterior motives that are more self-serving than spiritual. The film also contains an agnostic reporter, Lefferts(Arthur Kennedy), who would appear on the surface to be hostile to Sister Sharon's operation but that's not necessarily the case. Lulu Baines(Jones), the wronged woman from Gantry's past, could appear to be one-note but that character demonstrates compassion and elicits our sympathy. The cast is uniformly superb with Lancaster note-perfect as Gantry. Even if I believed him to be a complete charlatan, the force of Lancaster's charisma here would have me eating out of his hand. Director Richard Brooks is to be applauded for not only his work behind the camera but also his superb translation of Sinclair Lewis' novel to the screen.

MGM Vintage Classics, known for their bare minimum approach to the release of the many fine films in their library (NO extras, not even a paper insert outlining chapters), strikes again. This time out, the print of the film is heinous, including a warped sound track. There is simply no excuse to mar an Oscar winning film in this manner. Better prints exist! I've seen one on Turner Classic movies. With just a little effort, it could have been presented so much better. The only logical explanation is a pact with one of their sister companies to make their offerings as bad as possible, wheting the desire for a Collector's Edition later on. There ought to be a law. 5 stars for the movie, 0 for this dvd edition.