Burgeoning iniquities underneath the surface at a boys’ religious school
A strict schoolmaster at a Catholic boarding school in England named Goddard (Richard Burton) favors one student, Benjie Stanfield (Dominic Guard), but seems to loathe his awkward misfit ‘friend,’ Arthur Dyson (Dai Bradley). Meanwhile Benjie befriends a vagrant hippie (Billy Connolly), a relationship of which Goddard disapproves. Havoc ensues.
"Absolution" (1978) is a psychological drama/mystery with some thrills in the last act scripted by the screenwriter of “The Wicker Man” (1973). It’s the inverse of “Picnic at Hanging Rock” (1975), just with an unambiguous climax. (Dominic Guard, incidentally, appeared in that film as well). The setting naturally brings to mind “Dead Poets Society” (1989), but “Absolution” lacks its inspirational heart and addresses darker ideas.
Speaking of which, the underlying psychological and spiritual themes are fascinating, which makes the film conducive to repeat viewings. At first glance, it juxtaposes the potential confines of religion with the seeming liberties of bohemianism and Benjie is stuck in between. But there’s more, way more. Like the fact that carnal hatred engenders wrath, not to mention glaring favoritism. Likewise, a rigid spirit of legalism naturally spawns rebellion. Then there’s the tidbit about how a dubious religious rule can backfire on the faithful.
Sharon Duce (Louella) plays the sole female character of any note, but she only appears in one sequence (she would incidentally marry Dominic Guard and have two kids with him). As such, this is a decidedly male-oriented story, which is a shortcoming of the movie, for me at least.
Also, the convoluted details revealed in the last act could’ve been better elucidated. Actually, this subplot of the story needed tweaked because certain bits seem quite implausible (unless I missed something). In any case, the end needed a little more… finesse.
The film runs 1 hour, 35 minutes, and was shot at Ellesmere College, near Ellesmere, England, which is about a 2-hour drive northwest of London (many of the students of Ellesmere appeared in this movie as extras). Interiors of the school and (I presume) the forest scenes were shot at Pinewood Studios, which is just west of London.
GRADE: B-