The Scarlet and the Black (1983): Cast & Plot
The Scarlet and the Black is a 1983 historical drama directed by Jerry London, starring Gregory Peck as Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, John Gielgud and Olga Karlatos. It runs 2 hours 23 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 23m (143 min)
- Director
- Jerry London
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Bill McCutchen Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Scarlet and the Black About?
The premise of The Scarlet and the Black without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Gregory Peck portrays Father Hugh O’Flaherty, a Vatican priest who during 1943‑45 shelters downed Allied pilots, escaped POWs and Italian resistance families. He builds a network that ferries thousands to safety, operating under the Gestapo’s gaze, prompting the Nazis to plot his assassination the moment he leaves the Vatican, risking his own life.
The Scarlet and the Black Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- based on real person
- hero
- 20th century
- 1940s
- italy
- weapon
- sniper rifle
- shot to death
- disguise
- soldier
- death of priest
- epilogue
+38 more Show fewer
- irishman
- rome italy
- white lines
- german occupation
- boxer
- british diplomat
- butler
- black market goods
- saint peter's square
- being followed
- war crimes trial
- code book
- firing squad
- resistance
- prison visitor
- attempted assassination
- reference to torture
- baptism
- colonel
- hugh o'flaherty character
- color in title
- prisoner of war
- repetition in title
- army captain
- pope pius xii
- army general
- army colonel
- five word title
- year 1943
- vatican
- nazi
- monsignor
- ss
- vatican city
- pope
- mother superior
- catholic priest
- rabbi
The Scarlet and the Black Cast & Characters
Gregory Peck leads the cast as Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, with John Gielgud as Pope Pius XII and Olga Karlatos as Francesca Lombardo. Directed by Jerry London; 27 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jerry London
-
Gregory Peck as Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty -
John Gielgud as Pope Pius XII - Olga Karlatos as Francesca Lombardo
- Fabiana Udenio as Guila Lombardo
Also Starring in The Scarlet and the Black
· 23 more- Christopher Plummer Col. Herbert Kappler
- Barbara Bouchet Minna Kappler
- Angelo Infanti Father Morosini
- John Terry Lt. Jack Manning
- Walter Gotell Gen. Max Helm
- Kenneth Colley Capt. Hirsch
- Raf Vallone Father Vittorio
- Vernon Dobtcheff Count Langenthal
- Michael Byrne Reinhard Beck
- Marne Maitland Papal Secretary
- T. P. McKenna Himmler
- William Berger
- Julian Holloway Alfred West
- Remo Remotti Rabbi Leoni
- Edmund Purdom
- Peter Burton Sir D'Arcy Osborne
Show all 27 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Billy Boyle Paddy
- Mark Lewis
- Itaco Nardulli
- Gabriella D'Olive
- Cariddi Nardulli
- Phillip Hatton Lt. Harry Barnett
- Giovanni Crippa
More from Jerry London
More films directed by Jerry London: Counterstrike, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within, Take Me Home: The John Denver Story and Beauty.
The Scarlet and the Black Plot Summary
What happens in The Scarlet and the Black from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In September 1943, Rome lies under German occupation after Italy surrenders to the Allies, and the Vatican becomes a fragile buffer between conquerors and the city’s civilians. From the Vatican’s windows, the Pope John Gielgud watches as the occupiers flirt with sovereignty in a startling way: the suggestion of painting a white line across St. Peter’s Square to delineate Vatican limits. The Pope does not voice a protest, but the moment he notices the line has already begun, a quiet symbol of the Vatican’s precarious independence is etched into the city’s daily life.
Full summary
The whole story of The Scarlet and the Black, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Scarlet and the Black?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrayed Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty?
The Scarlet and the Black Also Known As
16 alternative titles, including “Bíbor és fekete” and “더 스칼렛 앤 더 블랙”.
- Also known as
-
- Bíbor és fekete
- 더 스칼렛 앤 더 블랙
- Im Wendekreis des Kreuzes
- Scarlatto e nero
- La Pourpre et le noir
- Escarlata y negro
- O Vermelho e o Negro
- Vatikanet
- Το Πορφυρό και το Μαύρο
- O Escarlate e o Negro
- Flukten fra Roma
- Šarlatový a černý
+4 more Show fewer
- Purpura i czerń
- 红袍与黑幕
- Алое и черное
- 바티칸의 철십자
Seen The Scarlet and the Black?
Movies Like The Scarlet and the Black
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Scarlet Coat, The Cardinal and Scarlet.
The Scarlet and the Black FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Scarlet and the Black, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Scarlet and the Black?
The Scarlet and the Black runs 2 hours 23 minutes (143 minutes).
When was The Scarlet and the Black released?
The Scarlet and the Black was released on February 2, 1983.
Who directed The Scarlet and the Black?
The Scarlet and the Black was directed by Jerry London.
More films by Jerry London Who is in the cast of The Scarlet and the Black?
The Scarlet and the Black stars Gregory Peck as Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, John Gielgud as Pope Pius XII and Olga Karlatos as Francesca Lombardo, among 27 credited actors.
Does The Scarlet and the Black have a post-credit scene?
No. The Scarlet and the Black has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
