Absolution
“One man, two boys... one deadly game.”
Synopsis
At a Catholic boys' school, domineering disciplinarian Father Goddard rules over his pupils with an iron hand. When one of his teenage charges confesses to murder, the dogmatic but deeply repressed Goddard finds his faith challenged and his life spiralling dangerously out of control.
Top Cast
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Richard Burton
Father Goddard
Dominic Guard
Benjamin 'Benjie' Stanfield
David Bradley
Arthur Dyson
Billy Connolly
Blakey
Andrew Keir
Headmaster
Willoughby Gray
Brigadier Walsh
Preston Lockwood
Father Hibbert
James Ottaway
Father Matthews
Brook Williams
Father Clarence
Robin Soans
Father Henryson
Trevor Martin
Mr. Gladstone
Sharon Duce
Louella
Brian Glover
the first policeman
Dan Meaden
the second policeman
Hilary Mason
Miss Froggatt
Hilda Fenemore
Mrs. Hoskins
Robert Addie
Cawley
Philip Leake
Gregory
Release History & Theatrical Window
July 1, 1978
Wide Cinema Exhibition
May 6, 2009
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Anthony Page
- Screenplay & Story
- Anthony Shaffer
- Original Score
- Stanley Myers
- Original Title
- Absolution
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English, Latin, Kongo
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Production Studios
- Bulldog Productions (II)
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Anthony Page
Anthony Shaffer
Stanley Myers
John Coquillon
John Victor-Smith
Elliott Kastner, Danny O'Donovan, Alan Cluer, George Pappas
Department Leadership Roster
Anthony Page
Director
Anthony Shaffer
Writer
Elliott Kastner
Producer
Danny O'Donovan
Producer
Stanley Myers
Original Music Composer
John Victor-Smith
Editor
John Coquillon
Director of Photography
Natasha Kroll
Production Design
Anne Gainsford
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Interdit aux moins de 16 ans — 16+ only.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Absolution.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Absolution.
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THE OVERLY- - - -HYPHENATED TOE-TICKLING FLICKERS PROJECT 2018 🍑
Once again it's time to start a list showing every movie I watch this year. As is my wont, I always ask a friend to come up with the name for the list and this year it's the turn of my doddy Cheeks letterboxd.com/cheeksdabelly/ . He gets the honour of naming this list because he turns 100 years old this year. So here are the movies I watched in 2018. MOVIES NOT FOUND ON LETTERBOXD: OUR HERITAGE (1966) THE TROUBLE WITH TITIAN REVISITED [2017] CANADA VIGNETTES: FLIN FLON [1978] CANADA VIGNETTES: INSTANT FRENCH [1978] CANADA VIGNETTES: ONIONS AND GARLIC [1978] CANADA VIGNETTES: THE THIRTIES [1978] WHO GOT DIANA DORS' MILLIONS [2003] AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: THE DUEL [2000] AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: CUSTER'S LAST STAND [2012] THE INEXPLICABLE UNIVERSE: UNSOLVED MYSTERIES [2012]' THE DAY THEY DIED [2003] WORLD OF MYSTERIES: HIDDEN CITY OF LONDON [2002] AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: DOLLEY MADISON THE SECRET OF BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH SYMPHONY [2016] RUSH: R40 LIVE [2016] AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: THE NUREMBERG TRIALS EVIL GENIUS [2018] THE LAST JOURNEY OF THE MAGNA CARTA KING [2015] BILLY CONNOLLY: PALE BLUE SCOTTISH PERSON [1991] HOW THE DEVIL GOT HIS HORNS [2012] DRIVE-IN DELIRIUM: THE NEW BATCH [2018] ABDICATION: A VERY BRITISH COUP {7/12} THE SECRET OF SELLING THE NEGRO [1954] WHAT IS COMMUNISM? [1963] CHET BAKER: THE LAST DAYS [1990] WATERGATE [1994] FOOD FOR THOUGHT [1949]
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Frequently Asked Questions About Absolution
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Absolution about?
At a Catholic boys' school, domineering disciplinarian Father Goddard rules over his pupils with an iron hand. When one of his teenage charges confesses to murder, the dogmatic but deeply repressed Goddard finds his faith challenged and his life spiralling dangerously out of control.
Who directed Absolution?
Absolution was directed by Anthony Page.
Who stars in Absolution?
The principal cast of Absolution includes Richard Burton, Dominic Guard, David Bradley, Billy Connolly, Andrew Keir.
When was Absolution released and how long is it?
Absolution was released in 1978 with a total runtime of 1h 35m.
Who composed the musical score for Absolution?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Absolution was composed by Stanley Myers.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Absolution?
Absolution holds official age classifications: DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); FR: 16 (Interdit aux moins de 16 ans — 16+ only.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).