The Holy Office (1974): cast, story & where to watch
1974 · Film · ★ 5.2
Released in 1974, The Holy Office is a drama and history film directed by Arturo Ripstein, running about 127 minutes.
What it’s about. The long arm of the Inquisition, or the "Holy Office," reached at least as far as 16th-century Mexico (known as New Spain at the time). Many Spanish Catholics of Moorish or Jewish origin found it expedient to flee to the New World to escape the suffocating attentions of the Inquisition. In Spain, simply being descended from these suspect peoples is sufficient to guarantee a gruesome death by immolation. In the New World, it took slightly more. This 1974 Mexican film deals with the suffering of one family of conversos who are secretly practicing Judaism and are betrayed to the Inquisition by a family member. Interestingly, a small family clan of such secret Jews was discovered in New Mexico as recently as the late 1980s. They managed to keep their faith a secret for nearly five hundred years.
Who’s in it. The Holy Office stars Jorge Luke as Luis de Carvajal, Diana Bracho as Mariana de Carvajal, Claudio Brook as Fray Alonso de Peralta and Ana Mérida as Francisca de Carvajal, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.2/10, The Holy Office has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Holy Office page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Holy Office tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Holy Office (1974)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Holy Office change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Holy Office worth watching?
- The Holy Office holds an audience score of 5.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Holy Office?
- The Holy Office stars Jorge Luke, Diana Bracho, Claudio Brook, Ana Mérida and Rafael Banquells.
- When was The Holy Office released?
- The Holy Office was released in 1974, with a runtime of about 127 minutes.