It's MTV quality ,but it was an overlooked courageous move when it was released whereas it's one of La Patelière's most interesting movies ;still relevant today,when the priest are denied the right to marry .The Catholic Church has still a long way to go.
Robert Hossein is a true believer;he staged a successful production called "Un Homme Nommé Jesus ";both he and his excellent co-star ,the sadly missed Claude Piéplu ,were known for their liberal -even leftist - ideas.
The action takes place between 1936 and 1942,with a very relevant epilogue in 1970. Priest Hossein falls in love with a lovely girl (Claude Jade ,Truffaut's protégée),he gets her pregnant,which ,in 1936 ,was scandalous .The main flaw is the depiction of the Relationship,which seems very natural;no stream of consciousness,the priest does not ask himself any questions,and ,as the other priest tells him :"you are individualistic ,you do not see the world around you,what happens in Spain or in Germany ...."
The scene with the bishop is revealing: our enemy is the communist ; Claude Piéplu ,who helps the generous communist mayor (Pierre Mondy),tells him so :"for a priest,it's as dangerous to be with a commie as to be with a woman!";all that makes the epilogue all the more revolting .
Perhaps the movie tackles too many subjects ,and sometimes the viewer forgets the main topic : "if protestant ministers can have wife and children,why can't we?
