The Conflict (1973)

Known by a number of titles including 'The Conflict', 'A Fable of the Future', and the 'The Visitor' and based on the 1972 novel 'Catholics' by the Northern Irish-Canadian writer Brian Moore, this is a 1973 TV film from the British network ITV. Set in the then future (seemingly by implication the late 90's) the story takes as it's starting point the thesis that the liberalizing trends begun under Vatican II would continue exponentially over the ensuing decades resulting in a Church very different then the one most Catholics grew up in.

When a group of Monks based on a small island off the Irish coast take it upon themselves to reinstitute the Latin Mass, and thus attracting a lot of attention the 'Father General' in Rome send a young, liberal Boston born plan clothed Priest (Martin Sheen) to order the monks Abbot (Trevor Howard) to cease and desist. The Abbott believes that they should continue performing the Latin Mass but he also believes he has a duty to obey the orders of his superiors, and is thus conflicted as he attempts to navigate what to do, torn on one side by Sheen's character, and on the other side by the his fellow monks lead most vocally by Cyril Cusack.

Part of the same tradition that would bring us such stories of Catholics struggling over truth as 'Doubt' and 'The Two Popes' this is an exceptionally smart and subtle work for a network television production of the nearly 50 years ago. Sheen is very strong but Trevor Howard is just amazing, their verbal sparring only exceeded by Howards quieter moments. Modestly budgeted by a real quality production, I was very impressed. Readily available if you look for it and only 78 minutes in length. ***1/2