Burt Lancaster stars as the larger than life flim-flam tent evangelist, Elmer Gantry in this 1960 film adaptation of the Sinclair Lewis novel. The physically impressive Lancaster is perfectly cast in this role. He is said to have confided to friends that this character more closely matched his personna than any other he portrayed.

Lancaster is a tour de force in this controversial film. The dialog is memorable and challenges the viewer to examine her or his own value system. Lancaster first appears as Gantry in a bar on Christmas Eve. He jumps to the defense of two people that are trying to collect money for Christian charity . " You think religion is for suckers and easy marks and moddly cuddlers, eh. You think Jesus Christ was some kind of sissy?!!? Well, let me tell you, Jesus wouldn't be afraid to walk into this joint or any other joint to preach the Gospel. Jesus had guts...." Powerful stuff.

Throughout the film, Gantry moves easily and without any guilty from the pulpit to the dives and brothels. In a flash he can become a manipulative huckster; then on a dime, a crusading true believer.

Gantry's two love interests are portrayed by the mostly angelic Jean Simmons and the devilish vixen Shirley Jones. Or as Elmer Gantry might phrase them, " the mornin' and the evenin' star....I'm talkin' about divine love here. Not carnal love." Jones is stunning and received an Oscar for her role.

Gantry is followed around by an agnostic reporter, played by Dean Jagger, who eventually writes an expose of the tent ministry that Gantry is involved in . The reporter and the evangelist have an encounter that affords them the opportunity to debate weighty and central theological matters. This lively debate at the newspaper offices should not be missed. Even though they have diametrically different value systems; the two form an admiration for each other, sensing each others basic honesty.

One thing I really appreciated about this film was that the characters were multi-dimensional . Gantry is hypocritical yet more honest than most. The reporter is agnostic, and yet, he hold beliefs that are as strong as the most devout. I hope you get a chance to watch this film. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day