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Summary: love is the evening and the morning star!
Review: Elmer Gantry, (Burt Lancaster), is a travelling evangelist with one eye on the Lord and one eye on the ladies! Elmer put's his amazing gift of the gab to use by preaching in tent meetings. Along the way he meets Sister Falconer, (Jean Simmons), who takes him under her wing, there working relationship soon turns personal.Elmer Gantry is one of the greatest, (in my opinion), movies ever made. Burt Lancaster won his only oscar for his dynamic manic performance as the charlatan with a heart of gold. His preaching style is bombastic, his personal life morally bankrupt. It's really eerie how he resembles a number of "Evangelists", that I have come across in person or on the television. Elmer Gantry truly represents a lot of the tele-evangelists that have come and gone over the last 50 years or so as does Sister Falconer. Watching Burt Lancaster in full flight as he belts out his sermons and slides across the platform is a true joy to behold. It's a really great actor in his prime, and wonderfully entertaining. All in all it's a great romp with fantastic dialogue, wonderful performances and it's controversial theme packs a punch even today when Tele-evangelist, whilst know less popular, are still racking in the big bucks and filling stadiums with willing followers. To the Christian, let this film be a lesson for all of us, there are wolves in sheeps clothing around. Thanks for reading and enjoy and maybe be educated by this wonderful film.
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Summary: SERMONS OF THE ZEALOUS PREACHER WERE NEVER MORE MEMORABLE!
Review: Even if you find yourself falling asleep during a sermon, you won't be able to here. Brother Gantry won't allow it. Brother Gantry is the zealous, fiery new preacher who is here to warn the world that we're all sinners... and we'll go straight to hell if we don't repent! Repent and join the big baseball team headed by "Jesus Christ, himself!". As Elmer Gantry, Burt Lancaster is at the epitome of his charm and dynamic personality as the smooth-talking, fire-and-brimstone preaching character who brings an evangelical woman's (Jean Simmons) religious organization to prominence through his zestful sermons. It will work out just fine... as long as the people don't know that Brother Gantry is a lusty sinner himself, his best friend a blonde prostitute (Shirley Jones, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for this role) and his flexible morals and ideals are hidden. Lancaster won a Best Actor Oscar for the role, and deservedly so, for he is Elmer Gantry: his sparkling blue eyes, and mile-wide smile set the standard of a persuasive salesman, selling religion to those manipulated by his exacting pull. Richard Brooks' incredible screenplay and crisp direction make "Elmer Gantry" the great Burt Lancaster film of all time.
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Summary: great commentary
Review: I am a big fan of Shirley Jones, and after having found out that she was in Elmer Gantry I had to take a look at it. It is nothing but a long and boring stupid movie about a minister. I am very glad however that I checked it out of my library before wasting a lot of money on the tape.
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Summary: BOOOOOOORIIIIIIIING!
Review: I am a big fan of Shirley Jones, and after having found out that she was in Elmer Gantry I had to take a look at it. It is nothing but a long and boring stupid movie about a minister. I am very glad however that I checked it out of my library before wasting a lot of money on the tape.
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Summary: A dramatic portrait of evangelical faith and its aberation
Review: I highly recommend Elmer Gantry, especially for those who take their religion seriously. If one values an attempt to see the darker side of his religion, and some ways that faith can be tranformed into hyprocrisy, this movie is for you. If you are a Christian who takes your religion seriously, and perhaps lack a sense of humor and perspective, this film could enflame you. But if your faith in God can stand some critical examination, then I very highly recommend Elmer Gantry. Those who think that the film is merely a cynical portrayal of evangelical or fundamentalist Christianity would do well to reflect on the story's end, when Gantry undergoes a spiritual conversion and gives up his sham preaching. For Christian and unbeliever alike, the film is very powerful and provocative. There is an effective contrast in the story between Gantry, the self-seeker who uses religion for personal gain and fame, and Sister Sharon, the true believer who is charmed by Gantry's magnetic personality. These two characters are so well portrayed and acted that each becomes a powerful symbol of forces in the soul: ultimately, self-love and the love of God, or on a less inclusive level, religious hypocrisy and true belief (if not mature faith). Sister Sharon believes and loves; Gantry disbelieves and loves only himself. That portrait holds true until the end, when Gantry undergoes a dramatic and, I believe, convincing conversion. The cost of his conversion was the life of Sister Sharon.
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Summary: a masterpeice
Review: I will say this , , ,
All of my Christian friends, really liked this film,as we had gatherings to watch this film,I am a christian,
it is not an attack on the christian faith, was not to be such.
very good story, and acting first class....
must see this!!!!!
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Summary: Elmer Gantry a Man of Faith
Review: If Elmer Gantry were merely a satire and an exposé of revivalism it would not be as powerful and subtle as it is. Gantry, as played by a brilliant Burt Lancaster, may be a hypocrite in that he does not practice what he preaches, but there is no doubt in my mind that he genuinely believes. This makes him a complex character for we are not altogether sure what his motives are. When he joins Sister Sharon's evangelical crusade it is unclear whether he does it because he is attracted to her, because he hopes to make money, or whether along with these motives he really wishes to spread the word. The characters in this film have all the failings of human beings. Jean Simmons, acting the part of Sister Sharon, makes her seem almost like a saint. In the end she comes to resemble Joan of Arc. However, her image of purity is mixed with other factors. She has ambition and she has desire. This mixture makes her a rounded and interesting character. It would have been easy to make a film where Gantry and Sharon were mere charlatans, but then we would not care about them. Instead the film presents a complex but ultimately sympathetic view of faith. Even Arthur Kennedy's sceptical newspaperman admits that he wishes he could believe. Gantry may have many faults but he is a good man. He is kind to the prostitute, played by Shirley Jones, even after she has tried to destroy him. Thus, despite his lapses, he shows the strength and the quality of his faith. The print used for this DVD is presented in its original ratio, it is clear and has very little apparent damage. The DVD also includes the original theatrical trailer.
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Summary: The Great Manipulator
Review: In ELMER GANTRY Burt Lancaster has the best role of his illustrious career. He essentially is playing himself - a gifted hustler who accidentally finds himself in a profession for which he is a perfect fit. As an evangelist he shows that he understands people and is easily able to manipulate the crowds of devout believers attending his services. Lancaster gives the performance of his life. It is easy to see how much he is enjoying himself in this movie. The cast includes accomplished character actors Arthur Kennedy and Dean Jagger. Don't miss Patti Page in a minor but important role. The screenplay was adapted from a book by Sinclair Lewis about religious evangilism in the Midwest in the 1920's. ELMER GANTRY won Academy Awards in 1960 for Best Actor (Burt Lancaster), Best Supporting Actress (Shirley Jones) and Best Adapted Screenplay. Nominations were also received for Best Picture and Best Scoring of a Dramatic Picture.
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Summary: Two sides to a coin
Review: In response to the reviewer who said this film was anti christian and to pass on this trash. I would like to say that this film represents a view of some peoples distasteful view of religion , but sure not all people feel this way. Un fortunately in this world, their are people who use religion to exploit and manipulte people- This is just a fact of life- Then there are people who see the true beauty in religion and and utililze it to help people obtain a higher good - Unlike this reviewer, I would suggest you do not pass on this trash! It is an outstanding film which really makes you think !
Rating: 
Summary: Shabby Treatment for a classic film.
Review: MGM Vintage Classics, known for their bare minimum approach to the release of the many fine films in their library (NO extras, not even a paper insert outlining chapters), strikes again. This time out, the print of the film is heinous, including a warped sound track. There is simply no excuse to mar an Oscar winning film in this manner. Better prints exist! I've seen one on Turner Classic movies. With just a little effort, it could have been presented so much better. The only logical explanation is a pact with one of their sister companies to make their offerings as bad as possible, wheting the desire for a Collector's Edition later on. There ought to be a law. 5 stars for the movie, 0 for this dvd edition.
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