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Poster for Diary of a Country Priest

Diary of a Country Priest

Seen it?

1951 | 115 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Small Things Like These or Ordinary Angels, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 55 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1951: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

An inexperienced, sickly priest shows up in the rural French community of Ambricourt, where he joins the community's clergy. But the locals don't take kindly to the priest, and his ascetic ways and unsociable demeanor make him an outcast. During Bible studies at the nearby girls school, he is continually mocked by his students. Then his attempt to intervene in a family feud backfires into a scandal. His failures, compounded with his declining health, begin to erode his faith.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    95% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.5 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    Not enough engagement data yet

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Robert Bresson

  • Claude LayduCuré d'Ambricourt
  • Jean RiveyreLe Comte
  • Adrien BorelPriest of Torcy
  • Rachel BérendtLa Comtesse
  • Nicole MaureyMiss Louise
  • Nicole LadmiralChantal
  • Martine LemaireSéraphita Dumontel
  • Antoine BalpêtréDr. Delbende
  • Jean DanetOlivier
  • Gaston SéverinCanon