7.4/10
48,041
192 user 288 critic

Calvary (2014)

Trailer
2:20 | Trailer
After he is threatened during a confession, a good-natured priest must battle the dark forces closing in around him.
Reviews
Popularity
4,536 ( 404)
9 wins & 27 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Michael Fitzgerald
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Simon
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Freddie Joyce
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Pat Shortt ...
Brendan Lynch
Gary Lydon ...
Inspector Stanton
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Leo
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Storyline

Father James is a small-town priest in Ireland whose Sunday confessionals suddenly include a threat to kill him in a week's time as a matter of principle. Deeply troubled and conflicted about how to respond, Father James tries to go on with his calling through that week. However, that proves impossible as he is confronted with a troubling variety of spiritual challenges from both his estranged daughter and his own parishioners. In those dispiriting struggles, Father James' life begins to fall apart as time runs out towards a confrontation that seems to crystallize his values and what he wants his life to be. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Killing a priest on a Sunday. That'll be a good one.

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual references, language, brief strong violence and some drug use | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

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Language:

Release Date:

26 November 2014 (France)  »

Also Known As:

Calvario  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$956,273 (United Kingdom), 11 April 2014, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$74,149, 3 August 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,593,460, 10 October 2014
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Had its world premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. See more »

Quotes

Father James Lavelle: He was a good man, your husband?
Teresa: Yes. He was a good man. We had a very good life together. We loved each other very much. And now... he has gone. And that is not unfair. That is just what happened. But many people don't live good lives. They don't feel love. That is why it's unfair. I feel sorry for them.
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Crazy Credits

The closing credits are inter-cut with empty shots of every main location that Father James Lavelle and his daughter Fiona had a significant conversation in. See more »

Connections

Featured in Film 2017: Episode dated 5 March 2014 (2014) See more »

Soundtracks

Subo
Words and Music by Rolando Amadeo Valladares
Performed by Los Chiriguanos
Published by Editorial Lagos (SADAIC)
All Rights Adminstered by Warner/Chappell North America Ltd.
Licensed Courtesy of Warner Music UK Ltd.
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Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Best so far in 2014
12 April 2014 | by See all my reviews

Having seen all the Oscar nominees in early 2014, I would have to say this is better than any of them. It might be a controversial thing to say to all the film techies who get very involved in analysing dialogue and the like but as a snap shot of Ireland in 2014, it's hard to think of how this movie could be bettered. Morally bankrupt, cynical, howling at the moon and everyone looking to blame someone else for their woes. And of course sitting right in the middle of this is the Catholic Church and all the scandals it was involved with. However rather than making the centre character the inevitable bad guy, we get a real man who has lived life, knows pain, has flaws but is a shining light of integrity, morality and compassion. Brendan Glesson is fabulous in his portrayal of Fr James who is asked to make the ultimate sacrifice as the good man laying down his life for the sins of others. The rest of the cast are also excellent and whilst it is a tad unrealistic that so many odd balls and "characters' all live in one small town, it is clear that they are representative of the vast array of disaffected folk living in Ireland today. The reference to Fr James' fellow priest having the character of an insurance company accountant was however a little to close for comfort! All in all a great movie of its time with strong performances and a great story. Irish film at its very best. Well done to everyone involved.


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