True Confessions (1981)

Director:

Ulu Grosbard

Writers:

John Gregory Dunne (novel)
John Gregory Dunne (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

24 September 1981 (Portugal)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

A worldly ambitious monsignor clashes with his older brother, a cynical L.A.homicide detective investigates the brutal murder of a young prostitute.

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Prostitute | Catholic | Homicide | Monsignor

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	Father Des Spellacy (as Robert DeNiro)
Robert Duvall	...	Det. Tom Spellacy
Charles Durning	...	Jack Amsterdam
Kenneth McMillan	...	Frank Crotty
Ed Flanders	...	Dan T. Campion
Cyril Cusack	...	Cardinal Danaher
Burgess Meredith	...	Msgr. Seamus Fargo
Rose Gregorio	...	Brenda Samuels
Dan Hedaya	...	Howard Terkel
Gwen Van Dam	...	Mrs. Fazenda
Thomas Hill	...	Mr. Fazenda (as Tom Hill)
Jeanette Nolan	...	Mrs. Spellacy
Jorge Cervera Jr.	...	Eduardo Duarte
Susan Myers	...	Bride
Louisa Moritz	...	Whore
Darwyn Carson	...	Lorna Keane
Pat Corley	...	Sonny McDonough
Matthew Faison	...	Reporter #2
Richard Foronjy	...	Ambulance Driver
Joseph G. Medalis	...	Deputy Coroner (as Joe Medalis)
James Hong	...	Coroner Wong
Ron Ryan	...	Detective #1
Louis Basile	...	Detective #3
Louise Lewis	...	Older Nun (as Louise Fitch)
Margery Nelson	...	Nun #2
Fredric Cook	...	Brenda's Trick
Kirk Brennan	...	Acolyte Toomey
Fred Dennis	...	Man
Shelly Batt	...	Girl
Mary Munday	...	Nun
Colin Hamilton	...	Headwaiter
Missy Cleveland	...	Lois Fazenda (as Amanda Cleveland)
Pierrino Mascarino	...	Suspect
Michael Callahan Sr.	...	Sub Deacon
Hary Pavelis	...	Cardinal's Attendant
Luisa Leschin	...	Tower Girl
Robert Arthur	...	Newscaster #1 (as Bob Arthur)
Bill Furnell	...	Newscaster #2
Sig Frohlich	...	Waiter
Steve Arvin	...	V.O. Radio Announcer
Paul Valentine	...	Detective #2
Stephen Powers	...	Photographer (as Steve Powers)
Joseph H. Choi	...	Pathologist (as Dr. Joseph H. Choi M.D.)
Sharon Miller	...	Movie Star
Kevin Breslin	...	Boy #1
Jeff Howard	...	Priest #2
Harry Duncan	...	Priest at Banquest
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Randy Gitsch	...	Silent Bit Player / Waiter (uncredited)
Henry Goldscher	...	Barber (uncredited)

Directed by
Ulu Grosbard

Writing credits
John Gregory Dunne		(novel "True Confessions")
John Gregory Dunne		(screenplay) and
Joan Didion		(screenplay)
Gary S. Hall		uncredited

Produced by
James D. Brubaker	....	associate producer
Robert Chartoff	....	producer
Irwin Winkler	....	producer

Original Music by
Georges Delerue

Cinematography by
Owen Roizman

Film Editing by
Lynzee Klingman

Production Design by
Stephen B. Grimes		(as Stephen S. Grimes)

Art Direction by
W. Stewart Campbell

Set Decoration by
Marvin March

Costume Design by
Joe I. Tompkins

Makeup Department
Vivian McAteer	....	hair stylist
Jean Burt Reilly	....	hair stylist
Michael Westmore	....	makeup designer

Production Management
James D. Brubaker	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
William M. Elvin	....	second assistant director (as Bill Elvin)
Duncan Henderson	....	second assistant director (as Duncan S. Henderson)
Thomas J. Mack	....	first assistant director (as Tom Mack)

Art Department
Nick F. Caprarelli	....	set dresser (as Nick Caprarelli)
Emily Ferry	....	property master
Al Litteken	....	construction coordinator
Ida Random	....	assistant art director
Joy Taylor	....	assistant property master (as M. Joy Taylor)
Mick Walker	....	set designer (as Michael J. Walker)
Maurice Zuberano	....	production illustrator
Craig B. Ayers Sr.	....	greens foreman (uncredited)
Lance Lombardo	....	props (uncredited)

Sound Department
Gary S. Gerlich	....	sound effects editor
Rick Kline	....	sound re-recording engineer
Bobbe Kurtz	....	sound effects editor
Victoria Martin	....	assistant sound effects editor
Chris McLaughlin	....	production sound
Donald O. Mitchell	....	re-recording engineer (as Donald Mitchell)
Bill Nicholson	....	re-recording engineer
Chester Slomka	....	sound effects editor
Jim Stuebe	....	cable person (as James Steube)
Frank E. Warner	....	supervising sound effects editor (as Frank Warner)
James E. Webb	....	production sound mixer (as James E. Webb Jr.)
Bill Wylie	....	sound effects editor

Special Effects by
Howard Jensen	....	special effects

Stunts
Eddie Hice	....	stunts
Ron Stein	....	stunt coordinator
Ron Stein	....	stunts
Jack Verbois	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Eugene Earle	....	second assistant camera (as Eugene P. Earle)
James Glennon	....	camera operator
Rob Hahn	....	first assistant camera
Gary Holt	....	gaffer
Christine M. Loss	....	still photographer (as Christine Loss)
Bob Rose	....	key grip
Tim Ryan	....	dolly grip
Gary Van Auken	....	best boy
Garrett Brown	....	Steadicam operator (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Betty M. Nowell	....	costumer: women
Andrea E. Weaver	....	costume supervisor (as Andrea Weaver)
Joan Joseff	....	costume jeweller (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Sandra Adair	....	first assistant editor (as Sandra Estrin Adair)
Charles Bornstein	....	first assistant editor
Bill Yahraus	....	associate film editor

Music Department
Jim Henrikson	....	music editor
Paul Salamunovich	....	choir conductor: St. Charles Borromeo Choir (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Russell McEntyre	....	transportation coordinator
Ed Wirth	....	transportation co-captain (as Edward A. Wirth)

Other crew
Dale Benson	....	location manager
Jerry Chinn	....	craft service (as Jerry D. Chinn)
Janet Crosby	....	assistant to producers
Charlie Davidson	....	production accountant (as 'Charlie' Davidson)
Henry Fehren	....	religious technical advisor
S. Howard Friedland	....	first aid (as Howard Friedland)
Vic Heutschy	....	unit publicist
Sharon Mann	....	production associate
Wendie Margolis	....	assistant: Ulu Grosbard
JoAnn May-Pavey	....	production office coordinator (as Jo Ann May-Pavey)
Gail Mutrux	....	creative associate
Phill Norman	....	title designer
Alfonse L. Palermo	....	choreographer
Hannah Scheel	....	script supervisor (as Hannah Scheel Morgan)
Eric Schwab	....	location scout
Lori Sussman	....	assistant to producers
Donna Smith	....	production coordinator (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Chartoff-Winkler Productions

Distributors

• United Artists (1981) (USA) (theatrical)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1997) (USA) (VHS) (pan and san)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1999) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2003) (UK) (TV) (2005) (2007) (2008) (BBC1)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• C.B. Films (198?) (Spain) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Lynn Stalmaster & Associates  casting
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios  DVD package design
• Varèse Sarabande  soundtrack

Also Known As:

Runtime:

108 min | Spain:110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Norway:16 | Spain:18 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Singapore:M18 | Canada:18A (Ontario) | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Alverno High School - 200 North Michillinda Avenue, Sierra Madre, California, USA

Company:

Chartoff-Winkler Productions

Trivia:

The film's screen play was written by John Gregory Dunne and his wife Joan Didion. The picture was one of a number of script collaborations from the couple.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the brothers discuss at the lunch counter Des's prior meeting of Lois Fazenda, the napkin which Thomas crumples in his hands suddenly appears on the counter on the reverse angle shot, then is back in his hands again as the scene ends.

Quotes:

Tom Spellacy:[Talking about the priest's heart attack death in the brothel] How long was he here?
Lorna Keane:It was the second one that did it.

Movie Connections:

References Going My Way (1944)

Soundtrack:

Memories of You

A heartbreaking classic

One of the most underrated films of the past 25 years, "True Confessions" is worth repeated viewings. On the surface it's a period piece about a corrupt Los Angeles where sex, money, the police, and the Catholic church all mingle. While at first glance, the film is as lurid as "L.A. Confidential," beneath the surface it is a memorable love story, a story of two brothers, one a detective and one a ranking member of the Church hierarchy.

The brothers are played by Robert Duvall and Robert DeNiro, in performances that will linger in your mind forever. The silent moments between these two brothers resound louder than the dialogue. There's one heartbreaking scene in a bar where their inability to communicate despite their love for one another captures all of the complexities of sibling relationships. I have no idea who won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1984, but whoever it was could not have been better than the two Roberts are here.

In supporting roles Kenneth McMillan and Charles Durning also shine, one as a corrupt cop and the other as a corrupt businessman. In fact, I would have loved to see a remake of this film with the two pairs of actors trading roles: DeNiro for Duvall and McMillan for Durning. That film would have been different but arguably as great.

The final scene of the film is punctuated by the perfect sound track. So a great big tip of the hat to all responsible: John Gregory Dunne for the script, Ulu Grosbard for the wonderful direction that allows for those memorable silences, and, of course, a miraculous cast of fine performers working at the height of their art. Don't miss this film.