The Cardinal 1936 A British film that's part of The British Film series by Network. Adapted by DB Wyndham from a play by Louis N Parker, the director is Sinclair Hill. I'd seen Sinclair's Bombs Over London fairly recently and enjoyed that.
Matheson Lang is Cardinal Giovanni de Medici, it's 1510 and he's trying to get St Peter's Basilica built. His work is hindered by an upcoming war, the Pope has hired General Balmonte to command his troops in routing the French invaders, and Balmonte wants a big pile of cash. The General wants the Pope to divert money from the Basilica.
The General is a right piece of shit and the only people who like him are the local scum he pays. He's got his eyes on the 16 year old daughter of a local noble, when the father says no the General stabs him.
The Cardinal's brother Giuliano is also interested in the young lady and she's interested in him. At the time of the murder the couple are sitting on a balcony above the scene of the crime. Giuliano jumps to the ground and is knocked out in the fight with the General. Taking advantage of the situation the General puts Giuliano's dagger in the wound and claims he fought off the attacker but was too late to save the father.
Giuliano is trucked off to jail, before the Cardinal finds out about his brother the General confesses the crime in confession without mentioning the other man was the Cardinal's brother. Because of the sacredness of the confessional the Cardinal can't testify against the General. The Cardinal uses his wits and creates a plan to trick the General into confessing.
It might not be too historically accurate but it was entertaining none the less. Matheson is fine as the clever de Medici and the other cast members are all good. Robert Atkins is particularly nasty as the General. Eric Portman plays the brother, he was quite good as the German stranded in Canada in 49th Parallel and as Charlie Forbes in Millions Like Us. Glad I picked The Cardinal up, I'll watch it again someday.
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