z_crito2001

Matthew 18:1-4, "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Reading through some of the reviews about this movie -- here and elsewhere -- I think people forgot or overlooked the reason its characters act and dress the way they do. They obviously change the way they behave (and dress) as adults at the start, and maybe it's true a little less "Sesame Street" would have been better but that's probably the reason.

Let's also give movies like this credit for doing a difficult task: It's about a very well known story. Along with movies about the Civil War or the American Revolution, we all know how they begin and how they're gonna end, so any story based on them is already at a disadvantage. And add religion to the mix and you're doubly disadvantaged.

Also give it credit for using a cast of unknowns (thank God) that add to its overall positive message 30 years later. (hmmmm...I wonder what well known star or stars they could have brought in back then to lip sync their way through it?)

I've only seen parts of this movie over the years and haven't seen it in its entirely until recently. For a 30 year old movie it looks pretty good on DVD!

I originally saw part of it when it appeared on television only two or three years after it first came out. And as usual with movies like this I had to see how the only song I knew from it -- "Day by Day" -- was used. At the time I don't think I cared for this movie (I was expecting something more JC Superstarish), but years later I still remembered how subtle and unpretentious the "Day by Day" song was introduced, and the movie's unique ending also stuck with me.

It's its songs that really make this movie shine and some of the better ones are: 1.Day by Day. 2.Prepare Ye (The Way of the Lord). 3.Beautiful City. 4.Bless the Lord. 5.All Good Gifts. 6.On the Willows.

And I do think some of the movie's direction is very impressive and effective...the early opening scene for the song "Prepare Ye (The Way of the Lord)" reminds me a lot of "Wings of Desire"(1986), the Finale with the NYC skyline as a backdrop (again "Prepare Ye"), the ending, and again the opening of "Day by Day".

There aren't many musicals I like, but of what I can think of at this moment, it's with "West Side Story"(1961), "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg"(1964), and "Singin' in the Rain"(1952) with its mix of song, direction and simple choreography that match some of the best in those excellent musicals. If anything I think it's more interesting and aged better than "JC Superstar".

Overall this movie is a very positive look at life, Christ and the Gospel of Matthew, and to be honest I'd rather see this film than most of the big money makers from the last 25 years.

P.S. For another good example of Christ's story in film check "The Gospel According to St. Matthew"(1964). It also has some very unique music.

For the time this film is set, which is 1528, that's a very early era of western exploration (only 36 years after Columbus). I personally would love to see the Americas (North and South) before the full arrival of Europeans. Not because Europeans were "bad" but simply to see something before it's changed dramatically. Unfortunately for many of the early explorers and visitors -- English and Spanish -- a trip to the New World didn't give a feeling of wonder but of life in hell. I'm also aware of the fact that most extant written history of exploration of the New World was written by English authors so it's probably: bad Spanish explorers, good English explorers. But apparently not for this particular story.

As for this film I can only recommend its first hour, which is its best.

The first hour of this film does an excellent job of showing the problems these early explorers faced and how something so promising could turn so bad. Once Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca (a copy and paste on that name!) leaves Florida it loses its sense of adventure and mystery (well a good part of it) and the film moves too quickly from Florida to the western shore of Mexico. So quickly you'd think Florida had mountains or terrain that looks like Colorado. The lead character also spends the rest of the time walking about like he fried his brain on drugs. For me, I'm more interested in and want to see and know about the journey and the people on the way.

I would love to talk to these early explorers or see what they saw and I admire them for their courage and sense of adventure, and if they still exist somewhere, how funny it all must seem to them now. Just wait 400+ years and you've got an area with beaches people flock to and Disney World. Does one man's hell eventually becomes another man's vacation spot ?!?!

This film's first hour does surpass all of "Aguirre: The Wrath of God" (1972) but loses something when it turns into a Conquistador "Apocalypse Now" (1979).

If anyone out there knows of any other good films about early exploration of the New World then e-mail me. Thanks.

If you like westerns with a little bit of "Shane" (1953), "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969), or the "Spaghetti western" style of the 1960s then you should find this film entertaining.

There's so much more life in this film compared to those early Spaghetti westerns with Clint Eastwood. Here Henry Fonda and Terence Hill (Mario Girotti) make a great team and the comic relief of Hill's character makes for more interesting viewing than a mumbling one syllable speaking Clint Eastwood.

The music is also great. I can't think of another Ennio Morricone film score that out does this one (can anyone else?). And as mentioned by others on this Web page this film's uplifting title tune really gets into your head -- and it's a welcomed visitor in mine! Also note: This film's soundtrack is once again available and was released on CD last year. It's also easy to find other CDs of Ennio Morricone film scores.

Are there any drawbacks in this film? Well, a previous user comment (by "good19142" on Aug. 24, 2000) concerning this film's "levels of humiliation,and political incorrectness" maybe on to something.

I also read through the other user comments on this film but no one mentioned any of its great memorable quotes. The first is a classic and concerns a baby bird, a cow, and a hungry coyote and it's the answer to a parable involving all three. It is as follows:

Jack Beauregard: Folks that throw dirt on you, aren't always trying to hurt you. And folks that pull you out of a jam aren't always trying to help you. But the point is: when you're up to your nose in stuff keep your mouth shut!

• Another memorable quote -

Nobody: Sometimes running a little risk can bring big rewards. Jack Beauregard: If the risk is little, the reward is little.

• Another memorable quote -

Nobody: A hero can't runaway from his destiny. Sometimes you smack into your destiny on the very road you take to get away from it.