Monsignor (1982)

An ambitious priest seduces a nun and leads the Vatican into shady business during and after World War II.

Director:

Frank Perry

Writers:

Jack-Alain Léger (novel), Abraham Polonsky (screenplay),

Stars:

Christopher Reeve, Geneviève Bujold, Fernando Rey

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Reeve	...	Father John Flaherty
Geneviève Bujold	...	Clara
Fernando Rey	...	Cardinal Santoni
Jason Miller	...	Don Vito Appolini
Joe Cortese	...	Ludovico 'Lodo' Varese (as Joseph Cortese)
Adolfo Celi	...	Cardinal Vinci
Leonardo Cimino	...	The Pope
Tomas Milian	...	Father Francisco
Robert Prosky	...	Bishop Walkman (as Robert J. Prosky)
Joe Pantoliano	...	Pvt. Joe Musso
Milena Vukotic	...	Sister Verna
Ian Danby	...	Lieutenant
Gregory Snegoff	...	1st Soldier
Harrison Muller Jr.	...	2nd Soldier
David Mills	...	Major

Storyline

John Flaherty is a young and ambitious American priest who arrives in the Papal Sovereign city state of the Vactican in 1944 to take his holy orders as a catholic priest. After distinguishing himself in combat in the World War II battlefields of northern Italy, he's assigned as the Vactican treasurer. With the Vactican strapped for money during the war, Flaherty soon makes illegal business deals with a corrupt U.S. Army sergeant, named Varese, who deals goods on the local black market which is connected to a ruthless Sicilian mobster, named Don Appolini. Appolini agrees to fund Flaherty's operation for profit through his Swiss bank connections. Flaherty's mentor, Cardinal Santoni, the secretary to the elderly but powerful Pope, learns of Flaherty's business deals, but covers for Flaherty in order for them to rise in the ranks of the church against Santoni's rival, Cardinal Vinci. But Flaherty's double life as a black marketeer and priest takes a turn when he falls in love with a young...

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Plot Keywords:

priest | catholic | nun | catholic church | pope | 

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Taglines:

Forgive me, Father for I have sinned. I have killed for my Country, I have stolen for my Church, I have loved a Woman, and I am a Priest.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | War

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Monseñor

Filming Locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Frank Yablans Presentations

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

To prepare for his role in this film, actor Christopher Reeve researched religion and Catholicism by visiting the Centre for Alternative Religious Broadcasting in Washington, a Paulist's retreat in New Jersey and for six weeks, the Paulist Fathers Order's Archdiocese in New York City.

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Goofs

At the end of his Requiem Mass in the field, Father Flaherty says "Requiescat in pace." The Mass, however, was clearly celebrated (as would be expected in a war zone) for more than one person (as indicated by plural pronouns in a previous prayer). In that case, the correct verb form would be "Requiescant" and not "Requiescat."

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Hellcats (1990)

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Soundtracks

" (I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played at the wedding reception

User Reviews

one of the best worst movies i've seen

saw this as a sneak preview, and there was a lot of mumbling in full theater as reeve was cast as priest, to begin with. more mumbling ensued as film went on, then laughter, and occasional comments from crowd. loved scenes as lines of people approached the pope, and the overhead camera view was hysterical when eyes met. one comment from crowd was directed at diminuative pope character- "ET phone home". i've been looking for it on video for years for a good laugh, but couldn't even find it among reeve's credits. kudos to bujold for listing everything no matter how nasty... i don't remember anyone leaving the theater, as i've seen in some sneak previews, probably because the of the 'so bad it was good' factor.