Customer Reviews

The Radicals

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

THE RADICALS is a top-notch dramatization of the true story of Michael and Marghareta Sattler, a married couple who were separately executed for their faith in 1527. For young children the included special feature children's story is recommended instead of the feature film, as it avoids some of the torture scenes, even though the feature movie itself avoids anything too graphic, for example, reciting rather than visually showing the extent of the judgment imposed upon Sattler. Through the centuries Christians facing potential harm for their faith have been strengthened by Sattler, who purposely planned a signal to publicly show whether God would give grace to endure martyrdom. The feature film doesn't show this part, though its explained in the special features and history, that Michael before his execution predetermined to raise his finger heavenward to indicate whether martyrdom was bearable and for how long. Michael's hands were bound, and also his tongue was cut out (so his words couldn't affect crowd), but when the fire burned thru the rope, Michael raised his finger and kept it up. Days later his wife Marghareta was drowned after refusing to recant, saying "I do not follow my beliefs because of my husband, I follow my husband because of my beliefs."

The movie's story, which is told thru the character of Willhem de Rijcker (an Anabaptist Radical who influenced Michael but later recanted and so saved his physical life), starts with then unmarried Michael and Marghareta working in proximity to each other, Michael as a monk who became a friar, and Marghareta was in an order that took care of the poor and sick. Because of plague, famine, and war in Eastern Europe, the peasants were suffering, yet as friar it was Michael's job to collect taxes from them. The Protestant Reformation had started, as had printing of scriptures for common man by the new printing press, and Michael began to question the tax-collecting and other practices and teachings of the Church. He asked Marghareta to leave with him to search for truth and a new, though risky, life. In Zurich they heard the "Radicals" (as they were called) teach a message of freedom of personal belief rather than belief imposed by a state church, and of not so much "reforming" but "restoring" the Church, going back to the teachings of Jesus and his original disciples by finding out and obeying what was taught by the scriptures, not an insitution. This did not go over well with Ulrich Zvingli, head of the Zurich Church, who clung to many Catholic practices despite being a Protestant reformer. For ex, the unbiblical 1000-year Church tradition of infant baptism was continued, mandatory, and had become a mark of citizenship. The Anabaptists' refusal to baptize babies was just one manifestation of their bigger issue: belief in separation of church and state and freedom of worship.

At a certain point the Anabaptists gathered from several countries in Schleitheim to tweak their beliefs and settle increasing disagreements about particulars. After drafting a statement of faith, "The Schleitheim Articles" (whose 7 points are included inside the DVD case), the Sattlers were arrested, tried, and executed as heretics, two of several thousand Anabaptists ultimately killed by fellow Protestants. Their spritual descendents include some Mennonites, Brethren, Baptists, Quakers, and others. The movie is historically accurate when compared to books written on this topic (such as Martyr's Mirror). That plus its inspiration/integrity motivating value, its unique subject matter, its many special features, and its quality acting and production, make it worth its price.

Tagline: They were centuries ahead of their time... and paid a terrible price for it.

Credited cast:
Norbert Weisser .... Michael Sattler
Leigh Lombardi .... Margaretha Sattler
Daniel Perrett .... Wilhelm Reublin
Mark Lenard .... Eberhard Hoffman
Christopher Neame .... Ulrich Zwingli
Liza Vann .... Countess Von Zollern
rest of cast listed alphabetically
Aaron Chadwick .... Felix Mantz
Sherwin Frey .... Conrad Grebel
Jerry Nelson .... George Blaurock
Robert A. Nowotny .... Tortured Man

An excellent movie about the lives of the Anabaptists - Michael and Margaretha Sadler. Michael was a monk and Margaretha a nun - they both left their religious orders in search of a New Testament faith. Their brief marriage was terminated when Michael was burned at the stake and Margaretha was drowned. Christian film all should see.

Here is the journey of a man and a woman that actively put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ during the Reformation Era.

They were used by God to lead others into the practice of adult baptism. That was contrasted to infant baptism. They were called Anabaptist.

This practice was violently opposed by the leaders of the church and the state.

They continued amidst persecution, suffering and ending in death as martyrs for their faith.

This movie makes personal and real a critical season of church history.

The Radicals is an historical fiction movie based on real history of the Anabaptists during the 16th century. It shows the struggles that believers went through opposing Catholic theology and government, only to be further challenged by other reformers and Protestant governmental authority. It accurately shows the sacrifices many went through, including martyrdom, during the Reformation era. Based on a book by Dr. Myron Augsburger, the movie's contents are so accurate that it is practically a documentary on one of many aspects of Reformation history, which demands our attentionThe Radicals [VHS].

The Anabaptists believed that God's people were baptized by water and by fire. Most Christians are baptized by water, but few by the fire. This film will teach you how those freedoms were gained by the fires of persecution. Go back to a time when being baptized as an adult; reading the Bible; sharing Scripture; and holding divergent views from the "official" church were crimes punishable by the most cruel methods possible. I promise that if you are a conscientious Christian, the conviction of how much your faith means to you, will keep you from sitting passively through this film! It is an excellent film in both content and performance.

Being a Historic Theologian I decided to pick this up from my local Christian bookstore when it was on sale. For some reason I neglected watching it for several months. When I finally watched it I was thoroughly shocked and surprised by the power of the film and the emotions within me that it brought out. This film gives the Anabaptists a very fair portrayal and I think that it should be viewed by all seminary students taking Reformation History courses.

What the film lacks in budget it makes up for in the power of story telling and its ability to make you truly care about the characters. It also puts the question to you, What would you do if your convictions could cost you your life and the lives of those you love?

Excellent film. My only issue is that I felt they played up the love story more than what was probably true in the area of how much affection was shown between Michael and his wife. This is more a historical criticism than a theatrical one.

All in all it is a film whole watching and buying along with Luther

The "documentary", as opposed to the feature, sufficed for my purposes, as it in actuality is a condensation of the latter
and contains the crucial scenes, including the drafting of the Schleitheim Confession, although only articles 1, 6, & 7 are mentioned, and the trial, in which Sattler's memorable comments are taken verbatim from the records. A worthwhile purchase, one that provides students with illuminating insight into the beliefs and suffering of the Reformation era's most numerous victims of intolerance, at the hands of Protestants and Catholics alike.

This is a fascinating part of history that took place right after Martin Luther. The peasants were being taxed until they lost everything they had. This tells how a religious group of people called the Anibaptist arose. They wanted to follow a different path from the peasants or the Catholic church, in spite of opposition and persecution. Very interesting movie, and done beautifully.

I first developed an interest in this film because of my interest in the career of Norbert Weisser, the lead actor who plays Michael Sattler, and I wanted material for the Official Fansite I do for him. I came away with a deep appreciation for the story, the characters of Michael and Margaretha Sattler, and the people that brought this film to reality.

The love story is probably the most well acted and believable I have ever seen. The on-screen chemistry between Norbert Weisser and the beautiful and gracious Leigh Lombardi is a tangible thing. The story of their faith, their beliefs and the inner courage they had is even more powerful.

The supporting cast is fabulous --from Mark Lenard as Eberhard Hoffmann, to Christopher Neame as Ulrich Zwingli, Daniel Perrett as Wilhelm Reublin and Jerry Nelson as George Blaurock -- everyone turns in terrific performances. However, I must say that I am partial to Norbert Weisser as Michael Sattler -- he brought forth such a wonderful sensitivity to the character of Michael Sattler. Norbert often plays a villain on the screen, but his quiet and calm manner as Michael was exceptionally well acted.

Even though I had limited knowledge of the Reformation and the Anabaptist movement, and had never heard of Michael and Margaretha Sattler, I got so caught up in this film that I developed a 20th Anniversary commemorative tribute for the film. I also designed and developed an entire website based on the film, the historical characters and the location -- the film was that well done, watchable and memorable. The entire cast and crew really pulled off an under-rated masterpiece with this film that is enjoyable on many levels and one you will want to watch over and over.

Yes, this is a faith-based film, but it is also a well written and produced - and accurate historical film, a love story that rivals the best of them, and a testimonial of having the inner courage of standing true to your beliefs no matter what the price. You will love this movie!

I am a campus minister. When our student leadership team for our collegiate ministry wanted to tackle the topic of "What does it mean to be Baptist," I suggested we show this to set up our discussion. The profundity is unmistakable. Would you be willing to die for your faith? Recognizing how the church being separate from the state in the U.S. has shaped our understanding of the church becomes clear as you see those who risked all to merely express believers' baptism. Of course, the other radical theological departures that have shaped the evangelical church are clear too. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because the acting could be a little better, and the costuming seems questionable. As the movie unfolds, however, the story engages you powerfully and compensates for any drawbacks.