Padre Pio

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)

This movie is indeed excellent: an orthodox and accurate portrayal of the life of this saint, void of sappy pious scenes (unlike "Therese"), yet inspirational in its realism (like "A Man for All Seasons").

It relates the life of this beautiful man from his early childhood till his death. Set in the lush hills of Southern Italy (east of Naples), the movie relates the early life of Padre Pio until his death. The focus is on his vocation (to the Capuchin friars and the priesthood), his service (confessions, mass, correspondence), and his gifts (the stigmata, reading of souls) which all emanate from his Christ-like person. One also admires his relationships among family, friends, and spiritual family. All the accounts are based on accurate historical information.

Any one the least bit interested in Padre Pio should see it despite its unavailability in many stores. The Italian nature of the film is endearing too. If you can't rent it, then buy it because it's worth $25.

This is honestly one of the best, if not even the best movie I've ever seen. The authenticity of the Saint's portrayal by Sergio Castellito is breathtaking. With his outstanding artistic performance he succeeded to balance a difficult task of showing Padre Pio as a deeply Saint and deeply human man in the same time. The movie shows a great humility, purity of heart and self-sacrifice of the Saint, but it doesn't also lack his simplicity and sense of humor. Jurgen Prochnow also very well handles his role of portraying the suspicious and persecuting priest. The final scenes representing the end of Padre Pio's life show the confrontation of these two man in a way which lets us see the amazing holiness of Padre Pio in a very special, strong way. The whole movie is deeply touching, and the beautiful and emotional soundtrack of Paolo Buonvino only intensifies the great experience by watching it. I think the film is very much worth to be seen not only by christians but also by atheists.

a simple story. its simplicity being the source of its force. one of the most influential figures of Romano - Catholic Church in the XX century. and admirable performance of Sergio Castellitto. the film is remarkable for the inspired balance between life of a monk who looking only to serve God and the step of sainthood. sure, many Italian religious films are good examples in this sense. but in the case of Pio of Pietrelcina the mission is real hard. because he has the chance to be one of the saints,not only as result of the life period, of our time.not only for the faith of believers but for rumors of controversies. and the science to give a realistic portrait, to expose events and gestures and facts as support for conclusions of the viewer is the basic virtue of film. a form of testimony about a Catholic servant of God, precise mix of dramatic moments and humor, small gestures and profound pain.a film like a lesson. about a man in the middle of church and people.

Carlo Carlei's film PADRE PIO is a very detailed depiction of life and mission of the great saint from San Giovanni Rotondo (Apulia, the Coast of Gargano), a charismatic person who aimed at loving God and suffer for goodness. This is one of the best Italian films ever made and it is a pity that it has hardly become popular. I love this movie because of many reasons:

First of all, Mr Carlei shows Padre Pio (1887-1968) not only as someone who always wins, a kind of "religious superman" (sorry if this term is offensive) but a person full of innate struggle - SOMEBODY WHO HE REALLY WAS. Padre Pio, except for the fact that he had Holy Wounds of Christ on his body, he was, first of all, a very good and pious priest. He invited people to confess their sins and reconciled even atheists with God. And this is particularly noticeable in this beautiful movie. That's great since it gives a viewer a right picture of the saint.

Secondly, a very good aspect of the film is Padre Pio's mercy and help for the poor. This proves the fact that Jesus lived in him. I was moved by the scene when a woman from San Giovanni Rotondo comes to church and prays to God to help her as she had no food to give her children. She lacked even basic head wear. When Pio saw her, he took as much money as he could handle in his hands and gave it to her. At this moment, a beautiful sunlight went through a window... Or another memorable moment when he plans to build a hospital for the poor, he says to one of his "spiritual daughters" Cleonice Morcaldi that Christ is in every ill person but in poor ill, He is twice as much. And when the hospital is built, his words to the doctors: "Remember, if you don't bring LOVE to your work, all your efforts are nothing!" Isn't that true???

Finally, the director shows the truth of how church "persecuted" dear Padre Pio. The priest (Jurgen Prochnow) who comes to him on the day before Padre's death (22 September 1968) does not have to be historical but he represents the whole hierarchy in church and those who persecuted Padre Pio throughout his life. Fortunately, the end is surprising. I loved his words: "Christ is usually so close to us but we fail to recognize Him. What a blindness!!!

After seeing this movie, now I do realize why more than 7 million people a year come to San Giovanni Rotondo. Padre Pio was a great gift from God to the dark 20th century, so much shocked by hatred of two world wars and atheism. Do see this film and you will look at the world, and especially at Holy Confession differently! He is also a great example for priests.

Padre Pio was canonized by His Holiness John Paul II on June 16th 2002. Saint Peter's Square rarely saw such huge crowds of people of different races and from various parts of the world...