National Geographic Video: Inside the Vatican

I had a chance to watch television after 2 or 3 weeks off due to travel and dealing with the day to day reality of my 2 little boys. I was not extremely excited that the only thing I could find to watch was this documentary that I had rented some time ago. Or rather my better more educated self had rented... my lazy self wanted some TV trash. I'm thrilled that I took the high road and learned a thing or two. I grew up in a household not particularly found of Catholic rituals... but due to my viewing of this documentary I now appreciate the history that is being preserved by the Vatican. I admire the staff and clergy for their resolve to carry on the traditions that have been established and found the exposure of the day to day at the Vatican really interesting. The film dragged a bit during the section on declaring Saints I would have like to see the politics behind the decisions versus so many details of the folks who were rooting for their guy.

I must confess that I was a little disappointed in this show. The Vatican has such a rich and fascinating history and tons of secrets that I wanted to see more. But, I guess they could only show so much in 50 minutes. The filmmakers touched upon three major events that were happening at the Vatican. The first was the ordination of three new bishops. They interviewed one, but the story lacked any real depth. The next two were more interesting. New recruits for the Swiss Guard who swore an allegiance to the Holy Father and, the beatification of 5 individuals considered for sainthood. Again the stories were skimmed over.

There was an interesting piece of archive footage of the Vatican illuminated with thousands of torches, that was interesting to see.

This piece of banal badly done propaganda could make an atheist of a person. The only thing the movie is good for is a look at some of the beautiful interiors of the Vatican you normally don't see.

The unfortunate consequence of this made for TV quality film is you can see the studied personas of yes men and obsequious courtesans every where in painful abundance. The trivial irritating narration somehow makes them stand out. Only the women seem immune they just look hardened. By the way no different than any other big time power center : organized religion royalty dictators etc...

20 year old Swiss guards wearing glasses is a typical example of not so good visuals.

I suppose no one will find this review helpful--I had to say what I felt--I started watching with a neutral mind set. On the whole I believe Roman Catholicism is the least bad organized Christian religion.

Movies like this do more harm than good for the cause they espouse. The Vatican if they were smart would seek out and destroy every copy of this.

Then they can make an impressive version. They certainly have the material to work with. Pick better protagonists than that power hungry archbishop and the sugary historian. Find some more charismatic characters--although those types are probably all weeded out on the way to archbishop.

DO NOT RECOMMEND

This is a film about the Vatican that is narrated by Martin Sheen. It purports to be a behind the scenes look into the inner workings and daily goings on at this micro-State. It consists of various interviews, lots of interesting film footage and a tiny bit of background information. It is all very interesting but also a bit brief--too brief considering how extensive the place is and the history of the place. You cannot boil almost 2000 years of history into less than an hour! A mini-series on the place and on the papacy itself would be wonderful. But, to the film's credit, it wasn't all positive and public relations, as it also talked briefly about a few of the evil popes--such as Julius II and Alexander VI (who was super-evil). Overall, the film is well worth seeing--whether you are Catholic or not. Full of interesting facts and scenes that make it a nice introduction to the place.