True Confessions (1981)
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- R
- 1h 48min
- Crime, Drama
- 25 Sep 1981 (USA)
- Movie
A worldly ambitious monsignor clashes with his older brother, a cynical Los Angeles homicide detective who is investigating the brutal murder of a young prostitute.
Director:
Awards:
- 2 wins & 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Robert De Niro | ... |
Des Spellacy
(as Robert DeNiro)
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| Robert Duvall | ... |
Det. Sgt. Tom Spellacy
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| Charles Durning | ... |
Jack Amsterdam
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| Kenneth McMillan | ... |
Det. Frank Crotty
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| Ed Flanders | ... |
Dan T. Campion
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| Cyril Cusack | ... |
Cardinal Danaher
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| Burgess Meredith | ... |
Msgr. Seamus Fargo
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Rose Gregorio | ... |
Brenda Samuels
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| Dan Hedaya | ... |
Howard Terkel
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| Gwen Van Dam | ... |
Mrs. Fazenda
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| Thomas Hill | ... |
Mr. Fazenda
(as Tom Hill)
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| Jeanette Nolan | ... |
Mrs. Spellacy
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Jorge Cervera Jr. | ... |
Father Eduardo Duarte
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Susan Myers | ... |
Bride - Georgette Amsterdam
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| Louisa Moritz | ... |
Whore
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| Darwyn Carson | ... |
Lorna Keane
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| Pat Corley | ... |
Sonny McDonough
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| Matthew Faison | ... |
Reporter #2
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| Richard Foronjy | ... |
Ambulance Driver
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Joseph G. Medalis | ... |
Deputy Coroner
(as Joe Medalis)
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| James Hong | ... |
Coroner Wong
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Ron Ryan | ... |
Detective #1
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Louis Basile | ... |
Detective #3
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| Louise Lewis | ... |
Older Nun
(as Louise Fitch)
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Margery Nelson | ... |
Nun #2
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| Fredric Cook | ... |
Brenda's Trick
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Kirk Brennan | ... |
Acolyte Toomey
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Fred Dennis | ... |
Man
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Shelly Batt | ... |
Girl
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Mary Munday | ... |
Nun
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Colin Hamilton | ... |
Headwaiter
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Missy Cleveland | ... |
Lois Fazenda - Murder Victim
(as Amanda Cleveland)
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| Pierrino Mascarino | ... |
Suspect
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Michael Callahan Sr. | ... |
Sub-Deacon
(as Michael Callahan S.J.)
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Harry Pavelis | ... |
Cardinal's Attendant
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| Luisa Leschin | ... |
Towel Girl
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Robert Arthur | ... |
Newscaster #1 (voice)
(as Bob Arthur)
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Bill Furnell | ... |
Newscaster #2 (voice)
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Sig Frohlich | ... |
Waiter
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Steve Arvin | ... |
Radio Announcer (voice)
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| Paul Valentine | ... |
Detective #2
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| Stephen Powers | ... |
Photographer
(as Steve Powers)
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Joseph H. Choi | ... |
Pathologist
(as Dr. Joseph H. Choi M.D.)
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Sharon Miller | ... |
Movie Star at Union Station
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| Kevin Breslin | ... |
Boy #1
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| Jeff Howard | ... |
Priest #2
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Harry Duncan | ... |
Priest at Banquet
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Randy Gitsch | ... |
Silent Bit Player / Waiter (uncredited)
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Henry Goldscher | ... |
Barber (uncredited)
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| David LeBell | ... |
Busboy (uncredited)
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John Marlin | ... |
Waiter (uncredited)
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Paul Purdell | ... |
Reporter in Train Station (uncredited)
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Mark Stepanek | ... |
Wedding Guest / Dancer (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Ulu Grosbard | ||
Written by
| John Gregory Dunne | ... | (novel "True Confessions") |
| John Gregory Dunne | ... | (screenplay) and |
| Joan Didion | ... | (screenplay) |
| Gary S. Hall | ... | () (uncredited) |
Produced by
| James D. Brubaker | ... | associate producer |
| Robert Chartoff | ... | producer |
| Irwin Winkler | ... | producer |
Music by
| Georges Delerue | ||
Cinematography by
| Owen Roizman | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Lynzee Klingman | ||
Editorial Department
| Sandra Adair | ... | first assistant editor (as Sandra Estrin Adair) |
| Charles Bornstein | ... | first assistant editor |
| Bill Yahraus | ... | associate film editor |
Production Design by
| Stephen B. Grimes | ... | (as Stephen S. Grimes) |
Art Direction by
| W. Stewart Campbell | ||
Set Decoration by
| Marvin March | ||
Costume Design by
| Joe I. Tompkins | ||
Makeup Department
| Vivian McAteer | ... | hair stylist |
| Jean Burt Reilly | ... | hair stylist |
| Michael Westmore | ... | makeup designer |
Production Management
| James D. Brubaker | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| William M. Elvin | ... | second assistant director (as Bill Elvin) |
| Duncan Henderson | ... | second assistant director (as Duncan S. Henderson) |
| Thomas J. Mack | ... | first assistant director (as Tom Mack) |
Art Department
| Nick F. Caprarelli | ... | set dresser (as Nick Caprarelli) |
| Emily Ferry | ... | property master |
| Al Litteken | ... | construction coordinator |
| Ida Random | ... | assistant art director |
| Joy Taylor | ... | assistant property master (as M. Joy Taylor) |
| Mick Walker | ... | set designer (as Michael J. Walker) |
| Maurice Zuberano | ... | production illustrator |
| Craig B. Ayers Sr. | ... | greens foreman (uncredited) |
| Lance Lombardo | ... | props (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Gary S. Gerlich | ... | sound effects editor |
| Rick Kline | ... | sound re-recording engineer |
| Bobbe Kurtz | ... | sound effects editor |
| Victoria Martin | ... | assistant sound effects editor |
| Chris McLaughlin | ... | production sound |
| Donald O. Mitchell | ... | re-recording engineer (as Donald Mitchell) |
| Bill Nicholson | ... | re-recording engineer |
| Chester Slomka | ... | sound effects editor |
| Jim Stuebe | ... | cable person (as James Steube) |
| Frank E. Warner | ... | supervising sound effects editor (as Frank Warner) |
| James E. Webb | ... | production sound mixer (as James E. Webb Jr.) |
| Bill Wylie | ... | sound effects editor |
Special Effects by
| Howard Jensen | ... | special effects |
Stunts
| Eddie Hice | ... | stunts |
| Ron Stein | ... | stunt coordinator / stunts |
| Jack Verbois | ... | stunts |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Eugene Earle | ... | second assistant camera (as Eugene P. Earle) |
| James Glennon | ... | camera operator |
| Rob Hahn | ... | first assistant camera |
| Gary Holt | ... | gaffer |
| Christine M. Loss | ... | still photographer (as Christine Loss) |
| Bob Rose | ... | key grip |
| Tim Ryan | ... | dolly grip |
| Gary Van Auken | ... | best boy |
| Garrett Brown | ... | steadicam operator (uncredited) |
| Chris Strong | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Betty M. Nowell | ... | costumer: women |
| Andrea E. Weaver | ... | costume supervisor (as Andrea Weaver) |
| Robert Iannaccone | ... | set costumer (uncredited) |
| Joan Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
| Tina Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Dale Benson | ... | location manager |
| Eric Schwab | ... | location scout |
| Greg Hamlin | ... | assistant location manager (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Jim Henrikson | ... | music editor |
| Paul Salamunovich | ... | choir conductor: St. Charles Borromeo Choir (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Hannah Scheel | ... | script supervisor (as Hannah Scheel Morgan) |
Transportation Department
| Russell McEntyre | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Ed Wirth | ... | transportation co-captain (as Edward A. Wirth) |
Additional Crew
| Jerry Chinn | ... | craft service (as Jerry D. Chinn) |
| Janet Crosby | ... | assistant to producers |
| Charlie Davidson | ... | production accountant (as 'Charlie' Davidson) |
| Henry Fehren | ... | religious technical advisor |
| S. Howard Friedland | ... | first aid (as Howard Friedland) |
| Vic Heutschy | ... | unit publicist |
| Sharon Mann | ... | production associate |
| Wendie Margolis | ... | assistant: Ulu Grosbard |
| JoAnn May-Pavey | ... | production office coordinator (as Jo Ann May-Pavey) |
| Gail Mutrux | ... | creative associate |
| Phill Norman | ... | title designer |
| Alfonse L. Palermo | ... | choreographer |
| Lori Sussman | ... | assistant to producers |
| Jim Davidson | ... | assistant accountant (uncredited) |
| Eric Jewett | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Derry J. Pearce | ... | production staff (uncredited) |
| Paul Salamunovich | ... | vocal coach for Robert De Niro (uncredited) |
| Donna Smith | ... | production coordinator (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- United Artists (1981) (United States) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1981) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Rank Filmes de Portugal (1981) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- United Artists (A-Asia) (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1981) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1982) (Japan) (theatrical)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1982) (United States) (VHS) (large box / pan and scan)
- United Artists Corporation (1983) (India) (theatrical) (Bombay)
- C.B. Films S.A. (Spain) (theatrical)
- Warner Home Video (1984) (Australia) (video)
- Warner Home Video (West Germany) (VHS)
- WGN (1987) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1997) (United States) (VHS) (pan and san)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1998) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1999) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2003) (United Kingdom) (tv) (BBC1)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Networks (2007) (India) (tv) (Chennai)
- Kino Lorber (2014) (United States) (video)
- Justbridge Entertainment (2018) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Justbridge Entertainment (2018) (Germany) (DVD)
- Pluto TV (2023) (United States) (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Lynn Stalmaster & Associates (casting)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (DVD package design)
- Varèse Sarabande (soundtrack)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
De Niro (a Catholic Priest) and Duvall (a Homicide Detective) play brothers drawn together after many years apart, in the aftermath of the brutal murder of a young prostitute.
Written by Grant Hamilton |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Two brothers out to save everyone else. But they couldn't save each other. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $10,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | When he was filming the fight scene at the testimonial dinner, director Ulu Grosbard never informed the extras that there would be a fight. When it occurred, their reactions were genuine. See more » |
| Goofs | When Tom takes off his radiator cap after his car overheats, what looks like a chunk of dry ice shoots out of the radiator. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in So Fine, Gallipoli, Cattle Annie and Little Britches, True Confessions, Rich and Famous (1981). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Memories of You See more » |
| Quotes |
Whore:
Hi, Tom. You wanna play carnival? Tom Spellacy: I don't know that one. Whore: I sit on your face,and you try to guess my weight! See more » |