Product Details

• Actors: Maximilian Schell, Ricardo Montalban
• Directors: Edward Dmytryk
• Format: NTSC
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: Ignatius Press
• DVD Release Date: January 15, 2010
• Run Time: 104 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002QXOYQK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,638 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Reluctant Saint" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Made from the original archive film master. Maximilian Schell stars as the flying friar, St. Joseph of Cupertino, in this heartwarming and amazing true story of the humble Franciscan friar who literally rose to sainthood. In the impoverished village of 17th century Cupertino, Italy, Josephs peasant mother convinces the reluctant Abbott (Ricardo Montalban) to accept her son into the monastery. With the support of the kindly local Bishop who sees in him a great deal more than others, and by a series of miraculous incidents, the simple but pious Joseph is ordained a priest. Yet some are convinced that it is the devil, not God, who is responsible for Joseph s miraculous powers until a final miracle reveals to all his true sanctity. A profound and humorous film for all ages. Also starring Lea Padovani and Akim Tamiroff. Directed by Edward Dymtryk. Format: DVD Publisher/Mfg: Ignatius Press Mfg Code: RS-M Special Features include: New DVD transfer from the original archive film master. Includes a 16-page Collectors Booklet with an essay by film critic Steven Greydanus and a biography of St. Joseph of Cupertino by historian and journalist Sandra Miesel. Includes the lost ending! This DVD contains the following language tracks: English with optional Spanish or English subtitles. Shown in Black amp White. NOTE: Ignatius Press previously released this film on VHS. This new DVD transfer from the original archive copy, courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment, is better and clearer than the previous release, and restores the lost ending to this film which was omitted from the VHS release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic black-and-white movie about the "flying friar" St. Joseph of Cupertino, May 12, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Reluctant Saint (DVD)

Now available in a new DVD transfer from the original archived master copy, The Reluctant Saint is a classic black-and-white movie about the "flying friar" St. Joseph of Cupertino, a 17th century Franciscan friar who earned sainthood. From his acceptance into the monastery at a young age, to his abiding personal piety, to denouncements by his rival Don Raspi (played by Ricardo Montalban) claiming that his powers came from the Devil, not God - an accusation that would require nothing less than a miracle to disprove - The Reluctant Saint is the amazing dramatization of an extraordinary man's life, seasoned with dashes of wry humor. A 16-page collector's booklet with an essay by film critic Steven Greydanus and a biography of St. Joseph of Cupertino enhances this excellent addition to personal and church library DVD collections. 104 minutes, black-and-white, widescreen, English with optional subtitles in English or Spanish.

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family movie!, February 25, 2010

By 

K. Ann Koch - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reluctant Saint (DVD)

I have an old VHS copy of this movie and love it. Our family has watched it many times and it has continued to hold a place on our favorites list. I put the DVD on my wish list because I want an updated format. But this is a beautiful little story, with warm and funny characters and situations. And the message is sound.

It is so nice to have a movie like this where I know my children are not going to be exposed to sex, violence, blood, guts, swearing........

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reluctant Saint, February 5, 2010

By 

Virginia Burgess-bronga "vburgessbronga" (Largo, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Reluctant Saint (DVD)

Very well done and so much better than the VHS we have. tHey have truly restored it and did a great job. It will always be one of our favorite movies. thank you V Bronga