A Man Called Peter

You'd think 20th Century Fox would have better sense. In a time when Mel Gibson racks up $400 million for a Christian movie in Aramaic, this good film about a minister that they already own would be out on DVD in a double-disc set. The sermon scenes ("full of heart and fire" to quote a contemporary review) wouldn't offend Jon Stewart. Richard Todd earned an Oscar nomination for his warm portrayal of a beloved minister in Washington, DC. The VHS has been available for a long time, but this one really is too good to bury...

Peter Marshall was the Pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church during the forties. His sermons were so popular that they had to install loudspeakers to send them to the crowds waiting outside. He was chaplain of the US Senate. Marshall's rolling Scots burr and warm "friendship with God" are still appealing. His wife Catherine wrote the book on which the film is based, and several other books besides. Jean Peters gives an engaging performance as Catherine, making the film less a religious tract and more a portrait of a family you wish to know. It's a joy to spend time with these people. They are better ambassadors for Christianity than many you may have seen lately.

If there was someone at Fox with a marketing sense, they'd re-release this one with great fanfare - the timing couldn't be better.

I have seen this film a few times, the first when I was about 15 yrs old. I admit that my interest was initially stimulated by the fact that I am a native of Coatbridge where Peter Marshall came from. I live just up the road in Airdrie which is only a couple of miles away. My dad remembers when the film was made as it was a 'big thing' then in the old town. In fact my old school is only a few yards behind where the camera was situated in the street during the opening scenes: Muiryhall Street. Sadly there is no official memorial to Peter Marshall in his home town and very few people here would know about him today. Coatbridge has lost all the old iron and steel works which gave it her nickname: the Iron Burgh. Peter would not recognise the old place today although it desperately needs someone of his vision and faith in this cynical and secular age. Coatbridge has a population of around 46,000 and is 12 miles east of Glasgow. Most of the people are nominally Roman Catholic; 60% of the population due to immigration from Ireland in the late 19 c and early 20 c, including my own antecedents. I am not certain if there are any of Peter's family still around though there must surely be. If the film was true in essence then it is absolutely clear that Coatbridge and Scotland's loss was certainly Washington's and the USA's gain.

This may be one of the most unique films ever made in Hollywood because it actually looks and sounds like a film made by Christians for Christians. Usually it's the opposite. Even back in the "Code" decades, this type of film was rare, where it shows a minister in a good light throughout the story.

This is the story of Peter (played by Richard Todd) and Catherine (Jean Peters) Marshall. Marshall was a Scottish preacher who became famous both there and in the United States, rising to Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. Todd does an admirable acting job and Peters is convincing as his wholesome wife.

As biased as I am for this kind of film, I am honest enough to point out any drawbacks to it, if I feel it is warranted. In this case, I thought that it was simply too slow here and there. Like a lot of movies, it would have been more effective having 15-20 minutes edited from it.

Nonetheless, if you are looking for one of those rare films that portrays Christians in a positive light, please check this one out.

I liked this movie when I first saw it in 1955. I have seen it again recently and I appreciate the movie much more than I did earlier. Compared to today's movies, it is a premium movie.

Richard Todd did a superb job of playing the part of Rev. Peter Marshall. His acting was better than any I have seen in many years. I doubt any current actor could have delivered his lines as well as Todd did. He was absolutely eloquent. Jean Peters did a capable job of playing her role.

"A Man Called Peter" is the story of a man whose complete conviction and trust in God carries him to his 'calling' as a shepherd to a flock at an important Washington D.C. church and to the young woman who becomes his wife and mother of his son. Led to important posts as Chaplain of The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. also called The Church of Presidents once attended regularly by Abraham Lincoln, and later becoming the Chaplain of the Senate, the portrayal of Richard Todd as Dr. Peter Marshall is nothing short of COMPELLING with his voice and speech as beautiful and mesmerizing as one will ever hear with his Scottish brogue. Especially moving is the scene where he addresses the Naval Academy at Annapolis when one realizes that it took place the morning of Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941 as the Empire of Japan was simultaneously bombarding Pearl Harbor. Jean Peters is beautiful but also of the proper dramatic weight for the role of his wife. Billy Chapin was quite appropriate as their son, Peter John, who went on to preach, himself and who today runs Peter Marshall Ministries offering CD and cassette products of his father's dynamic sermons over 50 years ago. (Whatever happened to Billy Chapin?) Especially terrific is Jill Esmond in a comic role where her comedic timing and actions are first rate. The rest of the supporting cast headed by Les Tremayne and Marjorie Rambeau are fine. The Cinemascope and Technicolor direction adds drama and beauty to the film as does the score, especially in the scene at Annapolis with the men's choir voices raised harmonically for a beautiful hymn rendition. The film deserved its Oscar nomination in cinematography if not in other categories for which it was not nominated. I highly recommend the new widescreen edition of this film from 1955.