Elmer Gantry

Play trailer

Elmer Gantry

1960

2h 25m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

When hedonistic but charming con man Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster) meets the beautiful Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons), a roadside revivalist, he feigns piousness to join her act as a passionate preacher. The two make a successful onstage pair, and their chemistry extends to romance. Both the show and their relationship are threatened, however, when one of Gantry's ex-lovers (Shirley Jones) decides that she has a score to settle with the charismatic performer.

Watch on Prime Video

Stream Now

Dan Jardine

Slant Magazine

08/06/2010

80/100

The film pulls few punches in its story of the hypocrisy, materialism, and opportunism at the heart of the evangelical world of Bible-thumping barnstorming revival troupes

Go to Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

04/08/2008

Brooks honors the spirit of Lewis' cynical commentary on circus-type primitive exhortation with pictorial imagery that is always pungent. He also has written dialog that is frank and biting.

Go to Full Review

Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

04/08/2008

4/5

This gets progressively nastier and winds up with an impressive hellfire finish.

Go to Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jan 20

[Burt] Lancaster harnesses all his physical vigor and natural charisma for this role, literally throwing himself into his preaching with the vigor of an acrobat and the sing-song delivery of a gospel singer.

Go to Full Review

Gerri Major

Jet Magazine

01/17/2024

The film does not attack the church; it exposes those who misuse religion for profit and turn the solemnity of our church service into a revival circus. The result of Brooks’ license with the novel is a motion picture that holds you spellbound.

Go to Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

11/14/2021

7/10

Every preached word that comes out of Lancaster's mouth elevates the film's dramatic potential and illuminates the scenes like a miracle fallen from heaven. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Russ G

@RT78760655 Feb 28

I guess it just hasn't aged well or maybe the lengthy run time got a bit boring, but I'd have to give it a solid "Meh!"

See more

J R A S S

@ShannonRobertAnthonyJohn Feb 9

Great performances. Uncommitted, ambiguous message. Frustrating and unsatisfying.

See more

Vitor O

@RT19027067 03/19/2025

One of the most intelligent movies to be released on the first half of the 60's, Elmer Gantry is also incredibly entertaining throughout its 140' runtime (with great help by Burt Lancaster in the main role).

See more

Jeff S

@jeffstone 03/09/2024

Burt Lancaster is spell-binding in this fascinating film that's often humorous, frequently insightful, and somehow manages to be incredibly poignant while it's being exploitive. Elmer Gantry illustrates that many of the most deleterious vices can seem anything but sinful.

See more

Alec B

@Alec97 02/20/2024

Often it appears to be engaging in the kind of hypocritical moralizing the movie is also condemning. That said Lancaster is completely captivating as is the rest of the cast.

See more

John H

@RT44490115 02/13/2024

Amazing film about false worship but also faith

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Richard Brooks

Director

Burt Lancaster

Elmer Gantry

Jean Simmons

Sister Sharon Falconer

Dean Jagger

William L. Morgan

Shirley Jones

Lulu Bains

Arthur Kennedy

Jim Lefferts

The Barefoot Contessa

100%

71%

The Barefoot Contessa

Watchlist

The Fugitive Kind

59%

63%

The Fugitive Kind

Watchlist

The Paradine Case

71%

50%

The Paradine Case

Watchlist

Foreign Intrigue

60%

46%

Foreign Intrigue

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

When hedonistic but charming con man Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster) meets the beautiful Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons), a roadside revivalist, he feigns piousness to join her act as a passionate preacher. The two make a successful onstage pair, and their chemistry extends to romance. Both the show and their relationship are threatened, however, when one of Gantry's ex-lovers (Shirley Jones) decides that she has a score to settle with the charismatic performer.

Director: Richard Brooks
Screenwriter: Richard Brooks, Sinclair Lewis
Distributor: United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: United Artists
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 7, 1960, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Runtime: 2h 25m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, 1.66:1

Most Popular at Home Now