Absolution
Original Title
Murder by Confession- Director: Anthony Page
- Writer: Anthony Shaffer
- Producer: Alan Cluer; Denis Holt
CGiii Comment
There is a reason as to why this has been forgotten...
Written by Peter Shaffer's less eminent brother...Anthony...the writing is drivel. It is a warranted but immature attack on the confessional.
The soundtrack is hideous and hideously melodramatic - the direction isn't much better.
The young actors - without exception - are inept...Burton's performance being thoroughly un-notable.
The catatonic conclusion kills this film stone dead.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
At a Catholic public school, Benjamin Stanfield is tired of being the teacher's pet and decides to play a practical joke on his form master Father Goddard. In confession, Stanfield tells Goddard that he has accidentally murdered his friend Blakey and buried him in the forest. When Goddard investigates the matter, he finds a buried scarecrow. Goddard is outraged, but, due to the seal of confession, he knows he cannot expel Stanfield. Shortly after, Stanfield once again enters the confession booth, telling Goddard that what before was a practical joke, he has now made happen. In disbelief, Goddard once again goes to the forest to investigate the matter. This time, he discovers Blakey's dead body.
Cast & Characters
Richard Burton as Father Goddard;
Dominic Guard as Benjamin 'Benjie' Stanfield;
David Bradley as Arthur Dyson;
Billy Connolly as Blakey;
Andrew Keir as Headmaster;
Willoughby Gray as Brigadier Walsh;
Preston Lockwood as Father Hibbert;
James Ottaway as Father Matthews;
Brook Williams as Father Clarence;
Jon Plowman as Father Piers;
Robin Soans as Father Henryson;
Trevor Martin as Mr. Gladstone;
Sharon Duce as Louella;
Brian Glover as First Policeman;
Dan Meaden as Second Policeman