Absolution (1978 film)
| Absolution | |
|---|---|
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Theatrical poster
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| Directed by | Anthony Page |
| Produced by | Elliott Kastner |
| Written by | Anthony Shaffer |
| Starring |
Richard Burton Dominic Guard Dai Bradley Billy Connolly |
| Music by | Stanley Myers |
| Cinematography | John Coquillon |
| Edited by | John Victor-Smith |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
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Release date
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1978 |
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Running time
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95 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Absolution is a 1978 British thriller film directed by Anthony Page and written by playwright Anthony Shaffer. The film stars Richard Burton as a priest who teaches at a boys' school and finds one of his favourite students is playing a nasty practical joke on him. He sets out to investigate the prank and stumbles upon a dead body, leading to his life spiralling out of control.
The film centres on Benjamin Stanfield and his unpopular, bespectacled friend, Arthur Dyson, who wears a leg brace; their form master, Father Goddard, and a travelling motorcyclist named Blakey. The opening scenes feature Connolly’s character, Blakey, arriving at the school on his motorbike. He asks Father Goddard (Burton) whether there are any odd jobs he can do but Goddard tells him that there are none available and that he should try in the town.
Later, Father Goddard is watching the handicapped boy, Arthur Dyson, rehearse in the school’s version of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta Patience. From his expression, it appears that he does not like the boy. Benjamin Stanfield, known as Benji to his friends, is later seen in Father Goddard’s room. He is looking somewhat embarrassed as the priest reads poetry and enthuses about youth and beauty. They are interrupted by Arthur and some other boys seeking permission to watch the World Cup on television. Goddard refuses and the boys, including Benji, head off to the dormitories.
The next morning in the dining room, Arthur and Benji are again with Father Goddard, who is apparently uninterested in Arthur’s attempts to engage him in conversation. Later in Latin class, Arthur questions Goddard about the book he is reading from, Caesar’s Gallic Wars, but Goddard tells Arthur to translate the text, not discuss it. He gives Arthur detention and selects Benji to continue the translation while he looks on in admiration.
While the school production of Patience is taking place, Blakey, who has set up camp in the woods surrounding the school, breaks into the kitchens to steal food. His camp is discovered the following day by Benji and some other boys who are out on a cross country run. Dyson is not among the boys as presumably his leg brace prevents him taking part. There is a minor altercation between Blakey and one of the boys, Crawley, but after the others leave, Benji stays behind and strikes up a friendship with Blakey and his girlfriend, Louella.
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