Polycarp

Im a 52 year old devout conservative Christian so I actually really love christian movies.

I don't care if they seem a bit amateurish, because the story is the most important thing and no need to waste millions of dollars to tell a Christian story, especially since most people will just bash Christian movies anyway. I find reviews bashing Christian movies because they're Christian movies, lolwut?!?! If you don't like Christian movies, don't watch christian movies!

I always go into these movies really wanting to like them. I love Christian movies the best because they have a good message on how to handle life situations and problems, or trials of faith or persecution. This one was about persecution, based on a true story. Unfortunately, this movie wasnt interesting to me. It was slow and boring. I hate to say that.

like many other religious films, it could be easy criticized. for the Christian public , it is not the most inspired adaptation of the life of Saint Ierarch Polycarp because he is presented only as one from the first martyrs of Church. but it is obvious to be only a sketch. not bad because the young Anna is the inspired character for present the work, the faith, the words of a great saint from the East. at large view, it is a good work. relevant parts from biography are presented. the atmosphere, in many scenes against the clichés, is represented in right manner, the cast does a decent job. as each sketch, it suggest more than present. and that fact, the air of adaptations without great ambitions, the feeling - the target is precise - the Christians for who the life of Saint Polycarp is well known, the film representing a remind's support are pieces who transforms the film in interesting project.

A young slave girl is adopted by Polycarp, an early proponent of the Christian faith. Although well intended, I found the acting wooden and the Roman soldiers seem to be playing dress up in their Trojan attire. Polycarp looked like Charlton Heston from the 1960's Biblical epics. This has the production values of a Lifetime movie.

Before writing this review I checked Wikipedia out for Polycarp and found his birth and death years. He was a remarkable 86 years old when he was martyred and I have to say that Garry Nation who did a fine job in this film in the title role did not look anything like 86.

This is not a linear biography of Polycarp of Smyrna. The film is seen through the eyes of Aliya Hunt who was bought at a slave market as a child and the life of Polycarp in his final dozen years or so is seen through her eyes.

Hunt is bought by Christians at the market to be set free and raised within the community. Back then they really believed it took a village. Head of the growing but still persecuted Christian community is Polycarp the bishop. Now he's revered as one of the founders of the Eastern Orthodox church.

Until Emperor Constantine became a Christian, Rome alternately relaxed and persecuted religious minorities. The current governor of Smyrna Gary Boesek has decided to turn up the heat particularly on the point of now worshiping Caesar as a god. Not something Polycarp can tolerate.

This was a good film and well cast. I would also like to single out for praise Rusty Martin as teenage Germanicus, a kid who enters martyrdom in the arena. It's a simple, unaffected, and moving bit of acting.

Polycarp should get more than church basement showings.

An exceptional historical depiction of believers who remain steadfast in the face of persecution and hardship. This movie will cause you to reflect on how you would choose to defend your belief and stand for God regardless of the consequences.