If you’re a fan of horror and drama films, chances are you’re familiar with the iconic religious outfits that priests often wear in films. Most of the time, we seldom see priests wearing cassocks or a bishop’s attire unless attending a special ceremony or event.
But on film, they could make a visual impact that arouses the viewers’ interests. These garments have become so iconic, in fact, that they’ve become a staple of the horror and drama genres.Let’s take a look at some of the most common religious outfits priests wear in five iconic horror and drama films.
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is widely considered one of the greatest horror films of all time, and it’s no surprise that it features priests wearing a very iconic religious outfit. In the film, Father Karras (played by Jason Miller) is seen wearing a traditional Roman Catholic cassock.
This long, ankle-length garment is black in color and features a white collar and cuffs. It is often accessorized with a black biretta (a square cap with three ridges on the top) and a pectoral cross.
The Omen (1976)
The Omen is another classic horror film that features priests wearing a very iconic religious outfit. In the movie, Father Brennan (played by Patrick Troughton) is seen wearing a traditional Anglican cassock. This long, ankle-length garment is black in color and features a white collar and cuffs. It is often accessorized with a black biretta and a pectoral cross.
The Two Popes (2019)
A biographical drama portraying Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) and Pope Francis I (Jonathan Pryce) as the Vatican leaks scandal was brewing. The actors are in full bishop’s attire regalia as they debate theology and the nature of priestly responsibility and earthly leadership.
Calvary (2014)
Father James (Brendan Gleeson) is a Catholic priest who is facing a moral quandary: should he report to the police a possible crime revealed in the confessional? Wearing a cassock and a priest’s collar, Gleeson’s Father James becomes the killer’s next target.
The Scarlet and the Black (1983)
This film tells the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’ Flaherty (Gregory Peck) who saved thousands of Jews from Italian prisoner-of-war camps during the second World War. Peck wears the black cassock too, and his priestly collar.
He hides thousands of jews inside many churches with the help of many other priests like him, risking everything including his life. Based on the book The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican by J.P. Gallagher.
The Bells of St. Mary (1945)
Bing Crosby plays a priest with ingrid Bergman as a Sister Superior with the goal of saving the parish and school. Crosby’s priest in cassock and Bergman’s sister in nun’s robes set aside their differences to make a Christmas miracle.
So the next time you’re watching your favorite films, you already know who’s on God’s side: it’s often the priest or the clergyman wearing the cassock or the priestly collar. Church isn’t the only place you’ll find clergy wearing bishop attire. You can also find them on film!
