A Pope contends with the prospects of nuclear world destruction in this Cold-War saga of religious faith and international politics. (Anthony Quinn) plays a Russian priest who has spent 20 years in a Siberian labor camp. When Russian and Chinese relations deteriorate, Russian Premier Kamenev (Laurence Olivier) releases him and he is made a cardinal. Kamenev wishes to have a representative at the Vatican in Rome for future political situations. When the Pope (John Gielgud) dies, a series of
events makes the Russian priest the first Pope from a communist country. Taking the name of the saint who spread the gospel to Russia, he becomes Pope Kiril Lakota. He often leaves the Vatican in disguise to mingle with the people to remain in touch with the poor and the needy. When millions of Chinese face starvation, the Pope offers to sell the riches of the church on order to feed the hungry, and he asks that all wealthy countries do the same. David Janssen is the television reporter stationed in Rome whose wife (Barbara Jefford) receives counseling from Kiril, unaware he is the Pope. In a symbolic gesture, Kiril offers his crown as a down payment in an attempt to bring world peace and end the starving of millions. Although a fine drama with a competent international cast, the movie failed at the box office to recoup the 9-million-dollar production costs. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
Settle back and let this old fashioned but entirely enjoyable epic (from Aussie writer Morris West's novel) take you on a journey that is in many ways every bit as relevant today as it was then
Part of Warner's series of spiritual movies about faith, main bonus is the feature The Miracle of Our Lady Fatima; the other two movies in the collection, especially Zinnemann's The Nun's Story, are better.
All-star cast, headed by Anthony Quinn, Olivier and Gielgud, can't help Anderson's poor transfern of Morris West's bestseller, an international political thriller about a Russian survivor of the gulag who becomes pope; best thing is Alex North's score.
62%
"Every day we ask ourselves what we can do about it before the nightmare turns itself into a mushroom cloud blotting out the sun."-Piotr Ilych Kamenev (Sir Laurence Oliver)
With the hundreds of sub plots this 'epic' should have been a twelve hour film. Acting was superb though.
December 13, 2011
FilmGrinder Stone
Once again I am going against RT professional critics. I am sorry, but this film is far better than they see it.
Although unlikely, this priest rises to be the Pope of the Catholic church despite himself. Anthony Quinn and Sir Laurence Olivier contribute to this two vhs cassette set movie something that can't be
concise.
With the powerful image of a world on the brink of nuclear destruction, this inspiring epic remains as timely as ever.
Cast
Anthony Quinn as Kiril Lakota/Pope Kiril I
Laurence Olivier as Piotr Ilyich Kamenev
Oskar Werner as Fr. David Telemond
David Janssen as George Faber
Barbara Jefford as Dr Ruth Faber
Vittorio De Sica as Cardinal Rinaldi
Leo McKern as Cardinal Leone
John Gielgud as Pope Pius XIII
Burt Kwouk as Peng
Arnoldo Foà as Gelasio
Leopoldo Trieste as Dying Man's Friend
Frank Finlay as Igor Bounin
The film was originally a project of the British director Anthony Asquith but he became ill and was replaced by Michael Anderson (Asquith died in 1968).
The film was nominated for two Oscars.
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