The Priest – Severin Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Spain, 1978
Director: Eloy de la Iglesia
Writer: Enrique Barreiro
Cast: Simón Andreu, Emilio Gutiérrez Caba, José Franco, Ramón Repáraz, Ramón Pons, Queta Claver, África Pratt, Esperanza Roy

Release Date: February 3rd, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 100 Minutes 6 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Spanish
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $219.95 (Exorcismo: Defying A Dictator & Raising Hell In Post-Franco Spain)

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “HD master provided by Grupa W. Associates.”

The Priest comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.9 GB

Feature: 20.5 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and black levels are solid, there are no issues with compression, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Spanish with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clear and balanced, and ambient sounds and the score are well represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an interview with actor Emilio Gutiérrez Caba titled The Socialist Priest (14 minutes 31 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Martín Garrido Ramis titled A Provocative Filmmaker (8 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), and a short film directed by Alejo Loren titled El otro Luis (21 minutes 24 seconds, 1.66:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono Spanish with removable English subtitles).

El otro Luis: A young straight man hides his secret life of having sex with men for money from his family.

Alejo Loren was a friend and collaborator of Eloy de la Iglesia, who would use cues from the score of El otro Luis for his film Confessions of a Congressman. Thematically, El otro Luis has themes that Eloy de la Iglesia's Quinqui films would explore.

The Priest is currently only available as part of a collection of films titled Exorcismo: Defying A Dictator & Raising Hell In Post-Franco Spain. That release comes with 17 additional films, a documentary about Spanish cinema titled Exorcismo: The Transgressive Legacy of Clasificada "S," and a 168-page book.

Summary:

Eloy de la Iglesia directed The Priest. He's known for The Glass Ceiling, The Cannibal Man, No One Heard the Scream, Murder in a Blue World, The Creature, and El pico.

A priest overwhelmed by his sexual desires goes to his fellow priests for help. When they are unable to offer him solutions, he takes drastic measures to curb his libido.

Eloy de la Iglesia was a filmmaker who always pushed boundaries, even when faced with strict censorship laws. After the passing of Francisco Franco, censorship of cinema would cease to exist and for the decade that followed, cinema in Spanish would have an anything-goes approach to it. While other filmmakers might exploit the premise of a film like The Priest, Eloy de la Iglesia offers a nuanced exploration of a man torn between his commitment to God and his sexual desires.

The narrative excels at developing the protagonist's character. It is propelled by two main factors: his struggle to resolve his inner conflicts and the absence of empathy from those around him. The narrative effectively builds momentum by introducing a series of temptations for the protagonist, which build to a point that pushes him over the edge. That said, when the moment of truth finally arrives, the protagonist has finally become comfortable with who he is and moved on from temptation.

While there is no doubt that Eloy de la Iglesia was an extraordinary filmmaker known for his exploration of the human condition, it is important to acknowledge the contributions of his collaborators. Simón Andreu (The Blood Spattered Bride) is cast in the role of Padre Miguel, a priest unable to control his sexual desires. Over the course of his career, he would work with Eloy de la Iglesia six times. While he delivers a remarkable performance that stands out from the rest of the cast, Esperanza Roy (Battered Flesh) delivers another performance of note in the role of a housewife who becomes emotionally attached to Padre Miguel.

Although Eloy de la Iglesia lets the performance take center stage, there is an ample number of visually arresting moments. The visuals are rich with symbolism, featuring striking moments such as a flashback that reveals why Padre Miguel chose the priesthood, scenes depicting his sexual fantasies, and instances where he self-mutilates to suppress his desires. Another area where The Priest excels is its score, which is mostly made up of classical music. Ultimately, The Priest is an extraordinary exploration of the conflict that arises from earthly desires and spirituality.

Severin Films gives The Priest an exceptional release that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras; highly recommended.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer