Since 1917, the mountain village of Fátima, central Portugal, located on the tableland of Cova Da Iria, southeast of Leiria, has been one of the most famous Marian shrines in the world, visited by thousands of pilgrims annually.
"The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima" opened with a 'persecution' against the Clerical Orders opposed to the government throwing the priests into prison like common criminals..
On May 23, 1917 and each subsequent month until October, three young peasant children, Lucia dos Santos (Susan Whitney) and her cousins Francisco Marto (Sammy Ogg) and Jacinta Marto (Sherry Jackson) reportedly saw a 'LADY' on a little tree - while playing in the woods - who identified herself as the 'LADY OF THE ROSARY'.
The children's extraordinary event was treated with an attitude of doubt and whole 'skepticism'..but with 'courage' they fought the 'threat' that gripped them from strong opposition from the local authority, the Magistrate (Carl Milletaire) and with 'faith' as with the help of their loyal friend Hugo da Silva (Gilbert Roland) they convinced their 'frightened'
parents (Angela Clarke, Jay Novello, Norman Rice & Frances Morris) giving them with 'truth' a new meaning to life in Fátima.
On October 13, 1917, the Portuguese people understood the radiance of their inspiring story when a crowd (generally estimated at about l00,000) gathered at Fátima and witnessed a 'MIRACULOUS SOLAR PHENOMENON', immediately after the 'LADY' had appeared to the 3 children healing 'lame' and 'blind' people as well.
Photographed in Technicolor and with a sincere screenplay, this beautiful religious film - that I recommend highly - was remarkably intense and profound in thoughts and feelings.
John Brahm's direction had its fine moments and Max Steiner's music - Nominated for Best Scoring of a Dramatic Picture - flourished the screen with sounds of tenderness and sympathy.
The performance of Gilbert Roland and the 3 peasant children were entirely moving and convincing..throbbing the beat of our heart with deep 'faith', complete 'belief' and loyal 'truth'.
To the readers who are interested in 'Our Lady of Fatima', I can add that after initial opposition, the bishop of Leiria on October 13, 1930 accepted the children's visions as the appearance of the VIRGIN MARY and in the same year, papal indulgences were granted to pilgrims.
