This is a fine documentary history of the founder of the Scottish Presbyterian Church John Knox who by all accounts religious and secular was one charismatic and powerful speaker. The man made a few thrones tremble and had a big hand in toppling one monarch.
Being the film a product of the church it will be following certain parameters. But I think a lay person will glean enough history from it. If you are a steadfast Roman Catholic, I don't think you'll like it though.
Film goers will only know John Knox from the John Ford film of Maxwell Anderson's Mary Of Scotland. Knox is in a supporting role and played with proper messianic fervor by Moroni Olsen. As Katharine Hepburn as Mary is the heroine/protagonist the film tilts toward her. Knox is a hardbitten fanatic.
But if you should be lucky enough to see this, you'll see what made Knox into the person that confronted Mary Stuart when she came of age and claimed her birthright as Queen Of Scotland. See his story unfold and you know why he disliked the Catholic church so and why he especially mistrusted the French Guise family who married into Scottish royal house.
You'll learn a lot even if you dislike the end message about a new group of Knoxes needed for our age.
