RyothChatty ridiculous rating

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Cheryl A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

HotToastyRag Richard Burton plays a priest in Absolution. I know, his real-life persona was very un-priest-like, but that's why it's called acting! I mean, Frank Sinatra played a very convincing priest in The Miracle of the Bells, and he was just as un-saintly as Richard Burton in real life. Anyway, Burton gives a great performance as a man of the cloth. He's conflicted and pained, and when he even hears about a sin, you can see him struggling not to take it as a personal insult. He's a teacher and mentor in a boys' Catholic school, and during one of his lessons, the boys ask about the rules during confession. If someone confesses to a crime, will the priest turn him into the police? Burton answers, almost directly into the camera for the audience's benefit, that the priest is bound to silence and can't call the police if he's told of a crime. Then, surprise! One of his students confesses a murder.Granted, if this movie had been made today, it would be a lot more gruesome, and probably have a few more twists and turns. But it was made in 1978, and so if you watch it, keep that in mind. There are a couple of violent scenes, but nothing overly graphic. And I thought it was thrilling, with enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat. It's a lot of fun to watch a manipulative, snot-nosed student take Burton to the brink of insanity!

Rainey Dawn I got this film in the 50-pack Drive-in Collection. I had forgotten all about this movie.. I popped it in and about 1/3 of the way into the film I remembered seeing this one a few years ago. WOW what a pleasant blast from the past. So glad they included this forgotten gem in the collection! Yes this film is good - it's my kind of a mystery-thriller. Although the film is not a horror film, it does get creepy - very creepy. Fans of classic horror movies should enjoy this film along with fans of mystery thrillers. Just an excellent film! The film does start slow... but it is worth it in the end. There is a reason for this seemingly slow start - it will make sense in the end.Great late night flick. One that you will not want to miss anything so have your drink and food ready! 9.5/10

shirley12vineyard I came upon this movie after it had already begun. I couldn't find the programme listing - so was completely 'at sea' as to the genre and mode for a time. Now, having read others' comments I can offer a different slant. My 'start' was around the time when two priests were talking, and referring to (Dyson?) needing extra care as he was vulnerable - and shortly after Benji pressuring Fr Goddard to hear his confession in the priest's study (usually a no-no) regarding his meetings with the seriously weird Billy Connolly character and his voluptuous lady. For a time I felt there was a Hitchcock-like parody running - the sound-track music seeming to be bordering on comic-horror. Viewing with today's (2009) sensibilities had me wondering if we were going to be traveling to the dire domain of sexual abuse so much a feature of recent RC 'outings' in real life, and for me for a time then added to serious tension. Of course there was no such sub-plot; Goddard was a 'true-blue' pre-Vatican II priest - a desperate "keep me constant Lord - keep me constant!" his prayer in times of dire temptation to stgrike back at his tormentor/s.I had never heard of this film - but was lured to stick with it because of Richard Burton - granite-like and deeply troubled from the first take. The plot twists were rather tortuous, and I didn't pick up the impersonation going on in the confessional, so was greatly caught up in the last plot movements.I agree with commentators that some of the filming tricks struck exactly the right note. The sequences in the woods were seriously spooky with their blurred shadowy nuances of being followed.The colouration plan was obviously meant to be monochromatic with only 'splash' instances of colour? i.e. inside the school and the character's hair and skin tones are quite black/white - with the priestly stole singularly purple, and outside of course, green was truly green.I rate this movie much more highly than most. At the very least it is of distinctive genre, keeps you viewing (past the small hours) and displays the legendary Burton still able to strut his thespian stuff with the best of them.

Preeko The beginning is slightly boring but as you get into the film it twists and turns many times giving a great ending. Burton being one of the best actors of all time, gave a brilliant performance. From the tag line and the description of the film, I didn't think it was going to be a good as it was. The ending was unexpected, so i believe it to be very well written, very well cast and very well directed. This is a must for any Burton fan. I give it a rating of 3 out of 5