True Confessions cover art

True Confessions Details

1981 DVD Certificate 15.gif
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 434 members

In Los Angeles, circa 1940, an embittered, once-corrupt cop named Tom Spellacy (Duvall) is investigating two murders: that of a priest found dead in a whorehouse, and that of a mutilated woman in a park. As he searches for the culprits, Spellacy uncovers an immense web of corruption, involving prostitutes, dirty cops and .. Read more

Starring Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Burgess Meredith, Charles Durning
Director Ulu Grosbard
Genres Drama

Sign up True Confessions DVD

Buy From: £3.93

loading loading...

True Confessions cover art

True Confessions

In Los Angeles, circa 1940, an embittered, once-corrupt cop named Tom Spellacy (Duvall) is investigating two murders: that of a priest found dead in a whorehouse, and that of a mutilated woman in a park. As he searches for the culprits, Spellacy uncovers an immense web of corruption, involving prostitutes, dirty cops and pornography. Even the Roman Catholic Church is implicated, particularly one Monsignor Des Spellacy (De Niro), Tom's brother. Although Des is innocent of any wrongdoing, his actions raise moral and religious issues that Tom must deal with, in order to solve these bizarre murders. Robert Duvall won Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for his performance.

Starring Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Burgess Meredith, Charles Durning, Ed Flanders, Cyril Cusack, Kenneth McMillan
Director Ulu Grosbard
Studio MGM ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 44 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate 15.gif
Genres Drama
Language English
Dubbed French, German, Italian, Spanish
Hearing-impaired English, German
Subtitles Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
Released DVD: 21 Jul 2003
Production year: 1981
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of True Confessions

    View all
  • 2 stars out of 5

    Set in the 1940s, this crime drama, though entertaining enough, has ideas above its station. Robert Duvall plays a Los Angeles cop who suspects that his brother, a priest played by Robert De Niro (who hasn't lost all of his Raging Bull poundage), is linked with the murder of a prostitute. These two great actors, either of whom could emote ethical dilemmas in their sleep, can only furrow their brows when assailed by the predictable film-noir plotting. With its many arid passages and generally uninspired direction from Ulu Grosbard (more usually a stage director and a chum of De Niro's), this proves the point that you need more than just major stars to make a great movie.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 1 stars out of 4

    Unnecessary fictional elaboration on a real Los Angeles murder case of the forties (the 'Black Dahlia'); chiefly notable for performances.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of True Confessions

    View all
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Under rated, well directed effort

    This film has outstanding performances from both Robert Duvall and Robert DeNiro and I'm surprised it hasn't been widely praised. True Confessions captures, the true feel of post-war California.We're put right in the time and place through clever and sensitive direction. Two brothers, one a pious priest with a head for high finance, the other a hard bitten detective, must cope with the problems of their separate lifestyles. A brutal crime - the murder and dismemberment of a young woman - is about to bring their two worlds together. A well thought out, balanced tale of money, power, politics and principles.

      • A customer from Scotland
      • Posted 05 Mar 2005 11:10

  • Most recent members' review of True Confessions

    View all

  • Rated - 4 stars

    Massively underrated

    I completely agree with the other (at the moment only two) reviewers here - this must be one of the most unjustly neglected and unpopular movies of all time.

    There are a few possibilties as to why this is the case; I love the film but even I have a hard time accepting DeNiro, great actor though he is, as Irish-American - his entire persona is so steeped in his Italian-American roots.

    More likely though it's the fact that it's a film which completely confounds the viewers expectations. The political crime thriller plot is, it becomes increasingly apparent, merely a clever vehicle for the true content of the piece; in fact a slow, sorrowful meditation on the great mystery of death.

    Because of this the ending is a huge anti-climax; but intentionally so. In stead of edge-of-the-seat excitement, we're left with a quiet atmosphere of sadness, waste, and loss. In this way it's a deeply un-Hollywood, Hollywood movie - is that interesting or just annoying? The fact that the film kind of pulls the rug from under itself in this way will fascinate those who enjoy having their expectations confounded, and either infuriate or just bore stiff those who don't.

    But even those who find this film dull won't fail to appreciate the simply awesome cast on display. Acting fans shouldn't miss the pairing of DeNiro and Duvall - really terrific here, both together and apart - and in the supporting cast you've got Charles Durning, Kenneth McMillan, Burgess Meredith, Ed Flanders, and Cyril Cusack; all giving superb performances. Amazing!

    Massively underrated.

      • A customer from London
      • Posted 24 Oct 2008 18:45

  • More like this

    View all
    Showing 1 to 4 of 20

    loading

Find cinemas


Rating breakdown

434 Member ratings
  • 100
12
  • 90
16
  • 80
33
  • 70
51
  • 60
96
  • 50
72
  • 40
69
  • 30
38
  • 20
31
  • 10
16

Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop

    • True Confessions

    • True Confessions
    • DVD: £3.93
      Free Delivery
    • RRP £12.79 (you save: 69%)
      • In Los Angeles, circa 1940, an embittered, once-corrupt cop named Tom Spellacy (Duvall) is investigating two murders: that of a priest found dead in a whorehouse, and that of a mutilated woman in a ...