The Confession
Seen it?1970 | 139 min | Drama, Thriller
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little 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 likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Midnight Express or Bronson, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 19 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1970: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In 1950s communist Czechoslovakia, a government minister, a war veteran long a loyal party man, leads a relatively comfortable life with his wife. However, he soon finds himself under surveillance, then under arrest. Unclear what his offense is, agents for the totalitarian regime interrogate and torture him, aiming to use their unending power to gain a false confession for these supposed crimes against the state.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 14K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Costa-Gavras
- Yves MontandGérard
- Simone SignoretLise
- Gabriele FerzettiKohoutek
- Michel VitoldSmola
- Jean BouiseBoss of Factory
- Michel BeauneLawyer
- Jacques RispalFormer Secretary
- Antoine VitezCommunist Friend
- Michel RobinAttorney General
- Szabó LászlóSecret Policeman