Mixing themes of misguided teenage spirit, religious responsibility and mortal sin, Absolution is a complex murder mystery which gave Richard Burton one of his strongest cinema roles of the 1970s. Set in an exclusive boarding school, we focus on Benji (Dominic Guard) who decides to play a prank and confesses to overly-strict Father Goddard (Burton) that he’s murdered a man named Blakey (Billy Connolly in his screen debut). Goddard uncovers the lie but when Benji confesses to the murder again, the priest finds his life turning into an ever-darkening nightmare. Written by Anthony Shaffer (The Wicker Man) and directed by Anthony Page (The Lady Vanishes) this is a suspenseful and twisted tale which utilises its remote setting to truly turn up the tension.
