The Reluctant Saint (1962)

Synopsis: This inspiring religious biography tells the story of Giuseppe Diesa (Maximillian Schell), a peasant boy in rural 17th-century Italy sent off to work in the stables of a monastery after his parents become convinced he's a simpleton. The boy's innocence leads to a profound simpatico... This inspiring religious biography tells the story of Giuseppe Diesa (Maximillian Schell), a peasant boy in rural 17th-century Italy sent off to work in the stables of a monastery after his parents become convinced he's a simpleton. The boy's innocence leads to a profound simpatico relationship with the animals, which impresses a local bishop (Akim Tamiroff) into urging the lad toward religious education and eventual monkhood. Later Giuseppe's spiritual energy causes him to physically levitate while praying, to the concern of a humorless local authority (Ricardo Montalban) who believes him possessed by demons. The story is based on the life of Saint Joseph of Cupertino, known as the patron saint of pilots because of his miraculous levitations. Director Edward Dmytryk infuses the film with earthy realism and a universal spirituality that transcends religious differences, making this an inspiring story for all viewers. Schell is superb as Joseph, and Montalban great in a pre-FANTASY ISLAND performance as the initially doubtful Don Raspi. Nino Rota (who would later score Franco Zeffirelli's ROMEO AND JULIET) supplies the nicely evocative music. [More]