The Cardinal (1936 film)

The Cardinal is a 1936 British historical drama film directed by Sinclair Hill and starring Matheson Lang, Eric Portman and June Duprez. The film depicts a power battle in sixteenth-century Rome between the leading church-statesman Giuliano de' Medici and one of his rivals. Other themes in the film are the Italian Wars against France and the construction of the new St. Peter's Basilica to a design by Michelangelo.

The film was based on the 1901 play The Cardinal by Louis N. Parker. It was made at Welwyn Studios as an independent production, but released by a leading distributor Associated British.

Reception
Variety considered the film to be weak apart from the performance of Matheson Lang in the title role. Questions have been raised about the historical accuracy of the film, which appears to borrow people and events from different time periods.

Cast

 * Matheson Lang as Cardinal de' Medici
 * Eric Portman as Giuliano de' Medici
 * Robert Atkins as General Belmont
 * O. B. Clarence as Monterosa
 * Douglas Jefferies as Baglioni
 * F. B. J. Sharp as Pope Julius II
 * Wilfred Fletcher as Michelangelo
 * A. Bromley Davenport as Bramante
 * Rayner Barton as Cardinal Orelli
 * Edgar K. Bruce as Spini
 * David Horne as English Abbot
 * June Duprez as Francesca Monterosa
 * Henrietta Watson as Donna Claricia
 * Dora Barton as Duenna