Padre Pio, Miracle Man (2000) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This movie on the life of St. Pio is excellent! Even though St. Pio was known during his life time as a "wonder-worker", and had many angelic and demonic encounters throughout his life, and even had apparitions of both Jesus and Mary, St. Pio was still a human being. This movie shows people the life of St. Pio from HIS human perspective. The viewer will see St. Pio crying after a woman dies before his eyes, asking "Why does he [Satan] always win?" The viewer will see St. Pio get angry, laugh, love, and suffer.
One of the most fascinating aspects of St. Pio's thinking was his shame of being chosen by God to bear the stigmatic wounds of Jesus. One of his first responses to the sitgmatic wounds is, "Why? Why did God choose me?". It is this shame that drives St. Pio to hide his stigmata. When the Pope grants permission to a (unbelieving) doctor to examine him, he responds, "Are you hear to see the freak show? Sorry, the circus is closed." I think this highlights St. Pio's human character.
Although St. Pio performed a multitude of miracles during his earthly life, these are not the focus of the film at all. This film shows a "wonder-worker" who thought if necessary to have a hospital built for the sick and suffering. This film shows a St. Pio who says, "You can't always ask for miracles." In fact, although the movie shows St. Pio's gift of prophecy and heart-reading, the only other miracles that the movie shows are the lives that were changed by St. Pio's life of faith, hope, and love.
Ultimately what this presentation of St. Pio's life gives to us viewers is the lesson that Christians are themselves "sacraments" (i.e., physical means through which God conveys His grace), and that we cannot expect our Christian lives to be overflowing with the supernatural. God works through our discipline, obedience, perseverance, prayer, and faith to spread His Kingdom.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Padre Pio, Miracle Man (2000)

The Story Behind the Film:Padre Pio as he is known by millions of believers around the world a worthy follower of Saint Francis of Assisi was born on 25 May 1887 at Pietrelcina in the Archdiocese of Benevento the son of Grazio Forgione and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio. He was baptized the next day and given the name Francesco. At the age of twelve he received the Sacrament of Confirmation and made his First Holy Communion. On 6 January 1903 at the age of sixteen he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at Morcone where on 22 January he took the Franciscan habit and the name Brother Pio. At the end of his novitiate year he took simple vows and on 27 January 1907 made his solemn profession. After he was ordained priest on 10 August 1910 at Benevento he stayed at home with his family until 1916 for health reasons. In September of that year he was sent to the friary of San Giovanni Rotondo and remained there until his death.The Film:Director Carlo Carlei (The Flight of the Innocent) manages to get to the core of the truth with this touching biopic that relives the tradition of religious filmmaking that benefits too from a powerhouse performance by Sergio Castellitto one of Italy most beloved contemporary stars.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre:FOREIGN/LATIN UPC:882853002697 Manufacturer No:NS0026DVD

Click here for more information about Padre Pio, Miracle Man (2000)

Read More...

St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the Poor Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you are looking for a biography of St. Moscati, as I was, then you'll likely be disappointed, as this is a fictionalized account of his life. The story line in the movie adds a love interest and an intention to marry that Moscati never had rather than showing that he took a private vow of chastity, wanted to enter a religious order, and embraced a vocation to the single life when it was discerned that he was called to remain in the world as a physician. While it shows another doctor conscripted into the army, it doesn't show that Moscati volunteered to serve and that he treated many wounded soldiers. The movie has him reject teaching in favor of caring for patients, but in actuality, he did both. Until the very end of the movie, it doesn't mention his belief that a doctor must treat the soul as well as (in fact, before) the body, when that was his foundational philosophy of medicine. The movie shows his writing prescriptions for food and medicine, but not for the sacraments (confession, Eucharist), as he was known for doing. It also never showed him going to Mass, as he did every day. Nor, did it show any priests or religious patients, whom he also treated for free. The movie depicted Moscati as being unpopular, ridiculed and looked down upon by his peers when, in fact, he was greatly admired and respected. The movie does a good job of showing his love and charity for the poor, giving his time, money and assets for them, but sometimes his character comes off as uncaring toward the other people in his life. In short, while the movie is well made and compelling, it is not an accurate portrayal of the life of St. Moscati.

Click Here to see more reviews about: St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the Poor

Get 2% OFF

Click here for more information about St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the Poor

Read More...

Clare and Francis Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I agree with the other reviewer's that this is surely the best film yet on St. Francis and St. Clare. Some of the things that stand out about it are:
- historical accuracy - it follows the historical details closer than the other films on the lives of these popular saints, including such scenes usually not in other films like their creation of the first living Nativity scene, Francis meeting with the head of the Muslims during the Crusades, and Francis encountering the dangerous wolf who befriends him
- greater presence of Clare - in all other films Clare is more of a secondary character, but in this film she is clearly given equal status and importance as Francis, with her name even appearing first in the film title
- combines authentic spirituality with social concern - this film really balances the deep spiritual focus of both saints with their love and concern for others
- exquisite cinematography, and uniformly excellent acting performances

This is a very beautifully produced film with outstanding acting performance by the two leads, as well as the rest of the cast.
Plus the DVD includes some nice "extras" like good film segments on the "Making of" and "Behind the scenes". And a wonderful Collector's Booklet with saint bios, film commentary, study questions, color photos, etc.
Bottom line - this film version has it all and is a real cinematic and spiritual treasure. Get it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Clare and Francis

Get 19% OFF

Click here for more information about Clare and Francis

Read More...