Padre Pio

Hard to believe that this was a made-for-TV; I watched it in Italy at its first showing, where it attracted a huge Italian audience. Even if you are not a Catholic, or have little knowledge of Italian, the film's production values are outstanding; beautiful photography and evocation of the Italian countryside; outstanding performance from the film's star, who achieves an uncanny resemblence to the real Padre Pio. Over-long in its made-for-TV form, but some of the film's longeurs could be cut to bring it down to a normal length for a cinema release, which must come in Italy following the film's huge TV success. One to watch out for if it comes your way.

I've seen this movie and I have to tell its a master piece. I didnt want it to finish because it is so good. It shows momments of the life of St.Padre Pio. The actor is so good, he looks just like the real man. I've read his life and a lot of things of the books are in this movie. Obviously not all his miracles are in the movie cause it would be like a 10 hours movie. But the movie is very good.

The only problem is that it's very hard to find, I've seen it in AE MUNDO channel a couple of times, but Im looking for the DVD everywhere. If anyone knows where to find it, please write me an email.

Thanks

I visited San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio's convent twice way back in the 1970's and met many people who knew him. I only wish I'd known about him much earlier. (I wish I'd actually KNOWN him personally.) When I discovered this film on You Tube recently, I was absolutely delighted. It has brought back many happy memories and I feel reunited with Padre again. My worry is that it will disappear from YOU Tube and there is no English dubbed version on DVD. Why not? I shall be very sad if it disappears. would it not possible to release an English version? Please do if you can. I wouldn't want to be without it. I thought the music was a bit overpowering and sentimental at times. Padre Pio was not a sentimental man and sometimes I thought the music didn't fit the person. However, this is "nit picking" and did not spoil the film for me, I have read several other reviews and am in agreement with all of them. If you find the film, watch it. I'd recommend it to everyone. Lovely casting, Lovely Padre Pio and the hard hearted Monseignor was very moving at the end. Bravo!

This film is available on DVD from Ignatius Press in San Francisco ($24.95 US) www.ignatius.com Its title is Padre Pio: Miracle Man. The Priest Who Bore the Wounds of Christ.

The promo reads: This major feature film drama captures the incredible life of the famous stigmatic monk and saint who died in 1968. It reveals Padre Pio's intense faith and devotion, his deep spiritual concern for others, and his great compassion for the sick and suffering. It dramatizes the frequent attacks by the Devil on him, and the persecution he suffered at the hands of people, including those in the Church. The many miracles he performed are also highlighted, as well as his profound humility, charity and sense of humor. Starring Sergio Castellitto....this is an outstanding epic film on the amazing life of this great saint. (subtitles or dubbed)

delicate. powerful. beautiful. touching. drawing of a story. confession of a great man. ladder of a life in which God is never ending presence. chronicle of an intense fight. against Evil. against yourself. and collection of miracles. ordinaries miracles. because the virtue of film is courage to be honest. to not create an eulogy or a fresco. do not transform all in a religious show but only in a testimony about an Italian monk as suggest for transformation of existence, to search and conquer its profound sense. a film about roots and force of growing - up. or, only a love letter. sure, it is difficult for an Orthodox as me to understand a Catholic saint. and this is important in this case. because , far to be propaganda, only propaganda, it is subtle portrait of a sacrifice with universal nuances.