Customer Reviews

Padre Pio, Miracle Man

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

I am a huge fan of Sergio Castellitto, and as a frequent visitor to Southern Italy I wanted to learn more about the life of Padre Pio. Although I am an atheist, I enjoyed this film very much, in much the same way that I enjoy visiting churches in Italy. A surprisingly good, interesting film, that grabbed my interest until it ended nearly four hours later! I recommend this movie to anyone interested in Southern Italian culture.

If you are interested on finding an inspirational movie, you can hardly find any other production that can match this one. Definitively a must see film, especially if you are a Catholic. It describes the Holy Sacraments in a vivid way that can help you understand better the values the Church treasures.

I noticed that some reviewers were offended by some of the liberties the filmmakers took with Padre Pio's life compared to his written biographies. However, I don't think the movie was disrespectful.

Regarding the story with Cleonice Morcaldi, if it is true that he was accused of having close relationships with some of the women, then I think the way they treated this story was fair. It showed how it was possible for regular people to misconstrue their relationship, even though it was, in fact, an innocent relationship. The fact that the screenwriters showed Brunetto admitting to share the same affection as Morcaldi for Padre Pio created the sense that it was an innocent but overwhelming affection that crossed all people who met him...and not "as you would think", as Cleonice's character responds.

Another point that offends some of the reviewers is the movie's portrayal of the Church as corrupt...that even Satan is portrayed to be a Bishop. First of all, the devil is a deceiver, so maybe the choice to portray the devil as a holy man actually falls along that line. I've read in other books that the devil appears to be handsome and attractive...not like the demons portrayed in horror movies. As far as the Church being portrayed as corrupt, it is true that corruption has existed in the Church, even though it is the Church that will prevail. Just because man has been corrupt does not take away from the holiness of Christ's Church which still stands 2000 years later.

Overall, I understand the reviewers, especially those loyal to the books written about this extraordinary saint. However, I feel that watching this movie, which was beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, did not detract from my devotion to Padre Pio, and only encourages me to learn more about him. Perhaps it is no longer surprising to me that a movie, for dramatic effect, takes a few liberties and does not portray only the facts written in biographies. Like any translation, movies try to convey the core meaning, which may not be word-for-word. Other than perhaps a few factual discrepancies, the movie is very Catholic and reveals the beauty within this traditional religion, as well as the many gifts Padre Pio shared with his community and still shares with many who seek his intercession today.

This movie about Padre Pio grabs you right from the start and doesn't let go. Not only is there a lot of action in it, but oddly enough, this movie is an encredibly effective catalist for prayer. I've watched it 3 times now...and EVERY time I watch it, I am drawn into a state of prayer either during or directly following the movie...GREAT!

As a devotee of St. Pio, I have viewed many films and read many books about his life, vocation and ministry, but this film is superior to all the others combined. No movie has inspired or moved me as profoundly as this account of St. Pio's life. The acting is outstanding; the film is visually stunning, the music is beautiful and the characters are real human beings who attract, repel, evoke sympathy and compassion. Moreover, it offers the viewer deep insights into the true nature of the spiritual life, especially the lifelong battle with personal sin and the Evil Spirit, the role of sacrifice and ultimately, the redemptive act of Christ's Passion in conquering all the enemies of the Christian life and salvation. St. Pio comes alive as a thoroughly human figure who was granted extraordinary graces by God and appropriated them for the good of others. This is a film to be viewed again and again, with much spiritual benefit.

This film is fantastic. It is beautifully made and one of the absolute best religious movies I have seen. Not only is it strong and ever-relevant but it is also extremely provoking. Having watched it two times I felt struck while watching it, and I experienced it also as really being a prophetic film. - This movie teaches a person as much about one self as it tells us about a marvellous capuchin friar, that is, if we allow our selves to be touched. I recommend this movie with joy to all Christian brothers and sisters.

This movie is very intense, but depicts the life of one of the great Saints of our century. Worth seeing.

This was a fantastic experience. Those that bash this movie are somewhat blind. They probably read padre Pio's biography written by the protestant bernard Ruffin. A protestant!!! Need I say more? This movie is Catholic to the core. This dvd depicts father Pio realistically. Care-ing yet with a backbone. He is slandered and persecuted by many, even of sins against the flesh. This is nothing new. Most saints suffer these things,alas, everyone suffers temptations. I now have a great devotion to padre Pio which I did not have before, thanks to this film. You will not find hollywood making a film like this. The acting is superb, the chosen actors are perfect for the script, the score is touching and its a very good production. The Italians did a great job. You can place this gem next to other gems like 'The Song of Bernadette', A Man For all Seasons, 'El Cid' and others. I have bought copies of this dvd for my Catholic friends and they've loved it. This dvd will help comfort and edify your spirituality.........for those that bash this movie, all I can say is that I'm positive the devil hates this flik as well.

This version of an account of the life of Padre Pio is the best work done on any of the saints of Christianity that I've seen. A well reseached and detailed film, documenting the life and miracles of a Franciscan Monk of our generation. From a small boy, he dedicated his life to prayer and helping others. A humble, but no-nonsense type of man, he suffered through 50 years of stigmata, even when the church was afraid to recognize this as a holy sign from God.