The Hoodlum Priest (1961): cast, story & where to watch
1961 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 1961, The Hoodlum Priest is a drama film directed by Irvin Kershner, running about 101 minutes. “The most fantastic story the screen has ever told AND IT'S TRUE right down to its last jolt!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Venturing into some of the roughest slums of St. Louis, Jesuit priest Rev. Charles Dismas Clark dedicates himself to helping young ex-convicts who are struggling to rejoin a society that fears and rejects them. An especially wrenching case for the Reverend is Billy Lee Jackson, a troubled thief whose personal demons constantly tempt him back to a life of crime — and may ultimately make him pay the highest price for a few desperate decisions.
Who’s in it. The Hoodlum Priest stars Don Murray as Father Charles Dismas Clark, Larry Gates as Louis Rosen, Cindi Wood as George Hale and Keir Dullea as Billy Lee Jackson, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, The Hoodlum Priest has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo and MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Hoodlum Priest page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Hoodlum Priest tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Hoodlum Priest (1961)?
- In US, The Hoodlum Priest is available to stream on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel and Philo. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Hoodlum Priest worth watching?
- The Hoodlum Priest holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Hoodlum Priest?
- The Hoodlum Priest stars Don Murray, Larry Gates, Cindi Wood, Keir Dullea and Logan Ramsey.
- When was The Hoodlum Priest released?
- The Hoodlum Priest was released in 1961, with a runtime of about 101 minutes.