17/20
Upon the pope’s death, his ring (known as the Fisherman’s Ring) is removed and destroyed
Line of Events
When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the most secret and ancient events in the world, the election of a new pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church. Many of the actions that Cardinal Lawrence and the other cardinals take during the conclave process in the film are faithful to the Catholic faith and centuries of tradition. The Vatican officially declares the throne of the Holy See (the governing body of the Catholic Church) vacant. The papal apartment is closed with a scarlet ribbon and sealed with the papal wax seal. The College of Cardinals is sequestered in apartments (known as the Domus Sanctae Marthae or House of Saint Martha) to eat and sleep between votes. The windows and doors of the Sistine Chapel, where elections are held and votes are cast, are darkened, locked, and locked to maintain the secrecy of the conclave.
Cardinal Benitez delivers his climactic speech in Spanish
All the cardinals speak fluent Latin, and many conduct their conversations in Italian. Both Spanish and Italian are derived from Latin, so the cardinals may have had a basic knowledge of Spanish. Sister Agnes: Although we sisters are supposed to be invisible, God has given us eyes and ears. Mentioned in The Saad Truth: My Review of Conclave (Film) – Wokeism Destroys Everything (2024). Allegri: MisererePerformed by Capella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, Massimo PalombellaCourtesy of Deutsche Grammophon GMBHLlicensed by Universal Music Operations Ltd. Lies.
Every move calculated, every alliance explored
Deception. Manipulation. Strategy. A game of chess on a global scale. A complex and fascinating contest of strategy and influence. Edward Berger takes a process as intimate and sacred as a conclave and transforms it into something thrilling that reflects the intriguing, treacherous nature and intrigue of Game of Thrones and Succession, while also feeling strikingly relevant.
Hmm…sounds familiar
Conclave is a meticulously constructed behind-closed-doors thriller where religion and politics collide and the souls of petty men are tested for a chance at ultimate power. Conclave is a film about choosing the least controversial candidate in order to prevent decades of progress from being reversed. I don’t want to get too political, but there’s a reason this film was released when it was, and the overarching difficult messages presented in the film couldn’t be more relevant to the current political climate not only in the US but in many other countries around the world. I see a lot of nice and witty Letterboxd/social media reviews that say it’s a funny movie about gossiping priests (“What if an episode of Gossip Girl took place entirely in the Vatican????”), and that’s not untrue — but it also misses the fact that it’s a very honest and deeply moving picture about the tensions of faith, the desperate search for certainty, and the true purpose of the Church in the world. It’s the kind of well-directed “men in rooms” drama that feels like it could have been made in the 40s or the 90s. Imagine an Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Moneyball, A Few Good Men) movie set in the Catholic Church.
That’s Conclave
The ensemble is excellent, and Ralph Fiennes gives a performance that’s as nuanced as it is commandingly powerful. The tense atmosphere is reinforced by a pulsating score and engaging sound design, although moments of exaggerated levity occasionally break the tension, adding an unexpected layer of entertainment to these gripping, high-stakes choices. This is one of the most gripping, impeccably crafted films of the year – a masterclass in classic Hollywood filmmaking, superbly directed by Edward Berger, who most recently helmed All Quiet on the Western Front.