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Padre Pio, Miracle Man (2000) Review

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(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.

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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

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The Father Damien Story - An Uncommon Kindness (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)Having lived on the island of Molokai for several years and visited Kalaupapa a few times, this documentary was especially interesting to me. Several interviews are included, including some with Richard Marks, who is the actual tour guide of the Kalaupapa tour, which was very cool to see.
This documentary covers the life and experiences of Father Damien, a Belgian priest who lived and worked on Molokai for 16 years. He really is one of the finest examples of giving your life for the service of others. The history and the interviews show how Damien dedicated his life to making things better for the outcasts in the leper colony of Kalaupapa. He went to such lengths to work with them and give them the love and affection they needed, that he ended up contracting the illness himself.
An Uncommon Kindness also addresses the myths surrounding Damien that were spread by some in the church and by detractors of his practice. The filmmakers really did a thorough job of covering as much information as they could in an hour. Robin Williams does a fine job narrating the video. He provides the perfect amount of softness and storytelling into his narration.
All around this is a tremendous documentary, and if you're at all interested in the story of Father Damien, you should check it out.
"Worship God, Not Me." - Father Damien

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Padre Pio:Between Heaven and Earth Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a very well done movie on one of the most amazing people of our time. If you want to know more about Padre Pio this is a a great start.

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Joseph of Nazareth: The Story of the Man Closest to Christ Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a fine film on St. Joseph, one I have watched a few times now, and its clear to me that the previous very negative anonymous reviewer named "Customer" has either some kind of ax to grind, or simply does not have a clue about who St. Joseph really was, or what the Church & Scripture teach about him and his relationship to Our Lady.

I am a Catholic and I approached this film very critically as I have a strong devotion to and deep respect for St. Joseph. I was surprisingly pleased to see a wonderfully manly and noble performance by actor Tobias Moretti, whose strong & appealing portrayal has the right and tricky combination of being a man who is a devout Jew ("of David's line"), a "just man" as Scripture calls him (as does Mary in this film), a hard-working & excellent carpenter, who has a chaste love for Mary, and who struggles spiritually & emotionally to deal with the great mysteries confronting him regarding the divine conception of Mary's baby and the Incarnation of the Son of God. He has to be instructed several times by an Angel to understand and follow the mysterious plan of God at various stages, and he listens and obeys. He also understands and and does all he can to protect the Christ child from threats to his life. All of this is very well portrayed in the film, and is clearly based on the events from Scripture.

Regarding the "doubts" of Mary's virginity, that of course is clear in Scripture that Joseph did indeed naturally question how she could be pregnant without another man being involved, and was therefore planning to do the "just" act and divorce her quietly (instead of having her stoned as was often the case then for adultery). It was only when the Angel revealed to him that the child was conceived by the power of God that he came to understand, and accept that mystery. And why wouldn't a mere mortal man (born with original sin like us) with deep love for his spouse lose his temper when he hears she is pregnant ? This guy was no wimpy man. His strong emotions show how much he deeply cared for Mary.

Regarding the issue of "labor pains", the Church has no definitive teaching on whether Mary had labor pains or not. One is free to take it either way. That is something that has had great theologians and saints on both sides of the debate, but "labor pains" do not mean that she was not pure or that Christ was not God. After all, she suffered greatly in her life ("a sword shall pierce your heart" said Simeon to her) and of course her Son suffered incalculably in his passion & death. Suffering (like labor pains) don't mean you are not close to God - often those closest to God suffer greatly, and willingly.

Regarding Joseph possibly having any "worries" or doubts" about his foster son, we know that Joseph had to struggle with the divine mystery of who his son was, and like us had to grow in his understanding of this mysterious person who was both God and man. But the film clearly shows that while he has to grow in that faith and understanding, at the same time he accepts the mystery and deeply loves Jesus.

And finally Mary does not "despair" in the film when they lose the their child for three days. That just doesn't happen. She of course is greatly concerned, but never says she "despairs". While they both search earnestly for the child, she does say we must "pray and trust in the Lord" to help them find the child.

After watching the film a few times I liked it better each time. As I say, Tobias Moretti was outstanding in the lead, and I also really liked Stefania Rivi as Mary, another obviously difficult role to pull off right. I think she presented the right combo of feminity, beauty, purity, spirituality, humility and a deep faith in God. The cinematography, and the music score, are wonderful as well.

Highly recommended !

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Maria Goretti Review

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(More customer reviews)This is another very moving film in the growing group of inspiring, well made feature films on lives of saints produced in Italy, and released in the USA by Ignatius Press. Young Italian actress Martina Pinto gives a luminous performance as St. Maria Goretti, the daughter of outstanding parents who struggle heroically to raise their children amidst the poverty and malaria infested swamps in Italy. She epitomizes that purity and goodness that have been strongly associated with this martyr and patroness of modern youth. Popular actor Flavio Insinna (St. John Bosco) stars as the brave parish priest standing up against the injustices to the poor who takes the Goretti family under his wing. Well-known glamorous Italian actress Claudia Koll, who has had a major spiritual conversion in her own personal life, starts as the Countess Mazzoleni.
The powerful movie is beautifully filmed on location with outstanding cinematography. A real bonus in this film is the gorgeous music score by legendary Oscar winning film composer Ennio Morricone. Plus the DVD includes a very informative 16 page collector's booklet about Maria Goretti and the film, replete with numerous photos from the film. This film is a winner!

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St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the Poor Review

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(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.

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The Staircase (1998) Review

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(More customer reviews)Based on a true story, THE STAIRCASE is one of those uplifting Christian movies heavy on morals and faith, and thanks to an intelligent script and very good performances, it works.
Barbara Hershey gives a smooth and touching performance as Mother Madeleine, a dying nun who wants to see the completion of a chapel in the Santa Fe territory before she dies. This seems impossible when the architect "forgets" to put in a staircase to the choir loft. Without the funds necessary to complete the staircase, that dream seems unlikely...until a mysterious stranger named Mr. Joad shows up out of nowhere and offers to build a spiral staircase with no charge. CSI's William Petersen gives a strong understated performance as Joad, whose mission becomes both a blessing and a curse as the original contractors (David Clennon and Justin Louis) don't want Joad to do the staircase. It may all play out with predictable results but it's sincerity is so genuine, it's a fine little film.

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St. Teresa of Avila Review

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(More customer reviews)Finally this great mini series is coming out on DVD. I first saw it on EWTN and then found a copy on VHS and watch it all the time. Even though this series came out in 1983, it is timeless in its telling of the incrediable life of this great saint. It is vivid in the portrayal of Teresa and the world she lived in. Concha Velasco is brilliant as Teresa, revealing to us a saint that was both very human and at the same time a great mystic. She shows us a woman who was struggling with inner demons as her spiritual vocation was evolving towards the union she shared with her God as well as the difficulties of the era she lived in and the re-organization of the Carmelite order she was a part of and that had turned away from its original austere charisma. She found herself with enemies on both sides of the spectrum, from the laity as well as her own religious communities. Only a few churchmen and nuns along with St. John of the Cross understood her mission. Another enemy fighting against her was her own body as she was always sickly throughout her life, getting worse as she grew older. For anyone interested in the life and spirituality of Teresa of Avila, this series is for you.

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Clare and Francis Review

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(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!

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Edith Stein: The Seventh Chamber Review

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(More customer reviews)This movie is not the regular hagiographical tearjerker that is usually the stuff we can expect on the lives of Saints. Now don't get me wrong.....I do love the tearjerkers! This movie is so different. Powerful acting, dramatic settings, the works. No wonder it picked up a few prizes at the Venice Film Festival back in 1995!
A solitary train traveling in a frigid countryside, a Carmelite nun (Edith Stein) staring into the camera in a semi-shadow, a young Edith Stein walking to a picturesque church to be baptized whereas a Carmelite nun (herself) with her face veiled looks into the church at the motions.....these powerful shots mark the beginning of this fantastic movie.
This movie is very clever in the fact that it is able to capture the present (1933 beginning of Nazi power and persecution)with its fear and uncertainties without ignoring the early life of Edith. Fast paced we get to see within 15 or so minutes her upbringing, her family's orthodox Jewish faith and her strength of character and soul. Also the painful realities of the sense of betrayal that the family feels at Edith's conversion can be keenly felt and is expressed superbly, as she is misunderstood by her University colleagues, family and later her fellow nuns as trying to escape the persecution and seeking an 'easy way out'.
We also see her struggles in adapting herself to conventual life.....it is so realistically played that amidst Edith's pain and sorrow, we can take a pause and smile.....for in her we recognize a person who was truly an academic and had not done a day's servile work in her past!But even in this she is victorious.What makes her victorious? Her desire to love her Lord Jesus, deny herself, carry her cross and follow Him!
And so the movie goes on.
The Seven chambers described by Saint Teresa de Jesus of Avila is so well explained first directly in a scene and in an abstract manner towards the end that the whole experience becomes surreal.
Regarding the picture quality....do not expect HD type of print. It is a little grainy considering that it is 15 years old, but even this has its own charms. It renders it a certain sense of nostalgia. It is 110 minutes long, in Italian with English and Spanish subtitles.
This DVD has no special features though it comes with 16 page booklet that has a film essay, a biography of Saint Edith Stein and study questions. I also comes with a prayer card with quotes by the saint on the reverse.
To conclude this is a poignant, powerful portrayal of a great saint, convert, martyr and philosophical genius of the 20th century.....and at the end one wishes just to be silent and ponder, meditate and marvel at a great gift given by God in a period of great darkness and inhumanity.
This movie is for everyone and anyone who is a student of Carmelite studies and of the Teresian school of thought....and of course a way to first know a much over looked saint who lived in the not so distant past.
Santa Teresia Benedicta a Cruce, ora pro nobis!
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. pray for us!

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This DVD contains the following language tracks: Italian with English or Spanish subtitles
This is a moving, artistic portrayal of the life of Jewish philosopher, Catholic convert and Carmelite martyr, Edith Stein, capturing the interior struggles of this extraordinary woman, as well as the great conflicts from her decision to convert to Catholicism. Deeply influenced by the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, she joined the Carmelites and took the name of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, and was put to death in Auschwitz in 1942, and canonized by John Paul II in 1998. This film shows how two worlds were united within her, the Jew and the Christian, in absolute coherence in her search for truth. She has become one of the most beautiful symbols in a horrifying period of history who sought to transform her sufferings under the Nazis into a journey through the "interior castle" as the way to mystical union with God. One phrase, "Love Conquers Fear" embodies her philosophy of life. Shot in a kind of a rich expressionist realism, it's backed by poignant chant music that makes every frame haunting and alive. Actress Maia Morgenstern (The Passion of the Christ) stars in a powerful performance as Stein. Includes a 16 page Collector's Booklet by Steven Greydanus and Carl Olson.

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