Rent Elmer Gantry for FREE

Start your 30 day FREE trial » Find out more

+70,000 other titles and counting

Thousands of movies and TV series to watch instantly
NO late fees or long term contracts - cancel anytime
FREE first class post for Britain’s largest range of DVDs, Blu-rays & Games

Elmer Gantry Details

1960

70
from 591 members

Starring	Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Dean Jagger, Arthur Kennedy
Director	Richard Brooks
Genres	Drama

Elmer Gantry

Elmer Gantry is a charming, fast-talking con, working the road as a traveling salesman in the 1920s. Burt Lancaster stars as the elusive Gantry in this charismatic adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's 1927 novel. When Gantry runs across a group of traveling evangelists, he charms their saintly leader, Sister Susan Falconer (Jean Simmons), and becomes her partner, preaching fire and brimstone in the packed revival tents of the hardened Midwest. Gantry's robust style and Falconer's Joan of Arc-like spirit skyrocket the two minstrels to fame and fortune as they travel with their flock waging war on sinners and speakeasies--until they preach in a big city and catch the eye of a tough prostitute (Shirley Jones) who knows that Elmer is not quite as holy as he appears. This biting portrait of the business of religion was highly innovative at the time of its release, casting a slightly tarnished light on the hustle and theatrics of traveling ministries, while analyzing the true nature of faith and redemption. Lancaster's performance as the salesman turned preacher is dynamic and highly charismatic, full of energy and robust flair.

Starring	Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Dean Jagger, Arthur Kennedy, Shirley Jones, Patti Page, Edward Andrews, John McIntire, Andre Previn, John M
Director	Richard Brooks
Studio	MGM ENTERTAINMENT
Run time	DVD: 2 hrs 21 mins
Certificate
Genres	Drama
Language	DVD: English
Dubbed	German, French, Spanish, Italian
Hearing-impaired	English, German
Subtitles	DVD: French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
Released	Production year: 1960 To Rent: DVD: 03 Feb 2003

Critic's review of Elmer Gantry
View all critics' reviews (2)
- A 'controversial' look at revivalist religion which, with the passing of the years, is unlikely to raise many eyebrows.... read more on Time Out
- 45399
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:15
Most helpful member's review of Elmer Gantry
View all members' reviews (6)
- - 7
  - 0
  Amazing film - very ...
  
  Amazing film - very dated now but I found it fasinating looking back to how things used to
  
  be - or how Hollywood viewed them - if you have seen Steve... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 51595
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - BUXTON
  - 30 Oct 2004 at 22:35
Most recent members' reviews of Elmer Gantry
View all members' reviews (6)
- - 1
  - 0
  Elmer Gantry
  
  Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons. Powerful acting.
  
  At times a bit slow but tended to help it along. Very powerful script, can not think of any other ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 922034
- - Karibu
  - 6 reviews
  - Stockton-on-Tees, England
  - 09 Sep 2010 at 13:28
- - 3
  - 0
  Fire and brimstone
  
  This caused a bit of a flurry back in 1960 with its then rather frank depiction of sex - lead character Gantry is a loose man with loose morals and a way with ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 662768
- - a customer
  - London
  - 22 Nov 2008 at 12:44
- - 0
  - 0
  A Richard Brooks’ masterclass
  
  Not seen on TV for a while, this is one that I’d wanted to see in full for years – which really demonstrates the value of the DVD hire system (well ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 482286
- - a customer
  - North Cornelly, South Wales
  - 03 Oct 2007 at 21:18
View all members' reviews (6)
People who rented this also rented
Showing 1 to 4 of 20

[+] [-]
Previous
The Swimmer

Sign up

Sweet Smell of Success

Sign up

Judgement At Nuremberg

Sign up

The Robe

Sign up
Next
powered by
12833

7294

22103

6996

Rating breakdown

591 Member ratings

100	74
90	53
80	131
70	121
60	86
50	46
40	33
30	19
20	15
10	13

Competitions and Offers

Related user collection

Must See Classics (41)

79% from 11 members

Showing 1 to 3 of 41

View all [+] [-]

by: A customer from North of England

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Elmer Gantry
  
  Elmer Gantry is a charming, fast-talking con, working the road as a traveling salesman in the 1920s. Burt Lancaster stars as the elusive Gantry in this charismatic adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's 1927 novel. When Gantry runs across a group of traveling evangelists, he charms their saintly leader, ...