Léon Morin, prêtre 1961

Manohla Dargis, New York Times: Melville's eye for exacting detail here is expected. What is remarkable is the depth of feeling he exacts from the juxtaposition of these ordinary moments with their extraordinary context. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: Not an unqualified success, the film remains strong for its performances, its inventive editing and framing, and its evocative rendering of the French occupation. Read more

Boston Globe: Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: A fascinating, unexpected movie that fans of French film in general, and Melville in particular, will not want to miss Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: Miraculous cinema, even for heretics. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Tale [from Beatrix Beck's 1952 novel] of a young agnostic woman's conversion to Catholicism and her physical love for a priest during the Nazi occupation of France is handled with tact and talent. Read more

Scott Foundas, Village Voice: The result is a movie that moves with the diamond-cut precision and carefully constricting tension of Melville's trademark gangland sagas, the precious booty here being nothing less than the human soul. Read more