I Confess
When a priest hears a murderer’s confession, he becomes bound by his vow of silence—even as circumstantial evidence turns suspicion toward him. Torn between faith and self-preservation, he faces public scandal and trial for a crime he cannot reveal the truth about.
Critics Sentiment
Otto confesses the murder to Father Logan in the confessional
Logan turns himself in and Otto plants bloody cassock evidence
The film drops from the powerful confession sequence to more talky interrogation scenes, losing some of its initial dramatic momentum.
I Confess begins strongly with Otto's murder and his confession to Father Logan, earning high praise for Clift's powerful performance and the film's atmospheric setup. The middle section becomes more dialogue-heavy and coincidence-laden, causing some critics to find it dragging despite solid performances. The film recovers in its climactic sequence with Otto's violent exposure and final confession, though some reviewers note it lacks Hitchcock's signature suspense elements.
Full cast
Montgomery Clift
Fr. Michael William Logan
Anne Baxter
Ruth Grandfort
Karl Malden
Inspector Larrue
Brian Aherne
Willy Robertson
O.E. Hasse
Otto Keller
Roger Dann
Pierre Grandfort
Dolly Haas
Alma Keller
Charles Andre
Father Millars
Nan Boardman
Maid (uncredited)
Henry Corden
Det. Sgt. Farouche (uncredited)
Alfred Hitchcock
Man Crossing the Top of Long Staircase (uncredited)
Ovila Légaré
Monsieur Villette (uncredited)
Gilles Pelletier
Father Benoit (uncredited)
Judson Pratt
Murphy (uncredited)
Crew
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