Elmer Gantry final scene

This is the final scene to the film, Elmer Gantry. It contains, what I believe, is one of the most important quotes ever written in the bible. "When I was a child, I spake as a child. I understood as a child. When I became a man, I put away childish things." - St. Paul, First Corinthians, 13/11
I interpret this quote as meaning that religion is for children and should be dispensed with when one becomes an adult.


*** The rights to this film belong entirely to their respectful owners, this is purely for entertainment purposes ***

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• elmer gantry
• burt lancaster
• conclusion
• final scene
• first corinthians
• st. paul
• child

[Vot63]

Gantry is turning his back on BOGUS, exploitative religion. He justifies this by quoting St Paul. Gantry is confronting the movement with its hypocrisy by reminding them of actual Biblical teachings. It is not logical to interpret this as an affirmation of atheism.

[cutis1000]

@Vot63 Who says that what the revivalists are doing is hypocritical? Gantry was hypocritical. He realized he wasn't cut out for religion, PERIOD. 

[Vot63]

@cutis1000 I think you need to accept that an atheistic interpretation of the films denouement is speculative. I'm not a Christian but I certainly don't see the ending the way you do.

[cutis1000]

@Vot63 That's fine. We don't have to agree. I think it should be left open to interpretation.

[TheFlanker35]

This ending is considerably different from the book's ending. In the book, Gantry didn't have any kind of moral awakening.

[mikexhotmail]

@cutis1000 He say no to rebuild it because it is love that attach him to everything around him at the first place .The movie show us that she goes too far and his love is burned in to the ash because of the too much believe in the religion. The message is pure and simple.

Even a best thing can harm you if you lose your way in it no exception even religion.

[moroniiiiiiiii]

Burt Lancaster this is man!!!

Brilliant!!!

[cutis1000]

But I still think religion is for children.

[amendola]

This is not the ending like the book. This book was much more critical and cynical of organized religion. The last sentence Gantry said in the book was "See you in hell"

[Mickagume]

Brilliant!