A Virgem de Fátima

Being from Portugal, and having seen both films, no wonder why real-life Soror Lucia at the time didn't like the 1951 movie... it's lyrically beautiful and most of the movie was shot in Portugal, but it doesn't make up for the reality that it was. At least, the actors tried the best they could for making a nice movie.

The 1997 movie (called "Fátima", and originally conceived for the television broadcasting) itself, being Portuguese and made there, gives a much better accuracy of what really was the miracle of Fátima, the destiny of the chosen Lúcia, Jacinta and Francisco; and even including secondary stories (wondering if that secondary story was real or not). The parting of Jacinta and Francisco, while is not included in the 1951 movie, it is in the 2001 movie, with great drama.

However, both are two must-see movies...;)

You'll really believe on the miracle which conquered millions of people in Portugal :)

This is a splendid, meaningful film in the spiritual genre which details the visions claimed by three Portuguese children during the height of tumultuous events in Europe preceding the rise of communism in Russia. The film briefly underscores the persecution of the Catholic Church in Portugal at the turn of the last century. Enough humor, vis a vis the fictitious character "Hugo" the local village thief, inebriate and film-flam artist, is injected into the movie which offsets the sombre subject matter. The children are at first disbelieved, and the local priest fears further persecution at the hands of the local authorities should the details of the children's visions come to light. The children are hounded by the authorities who attempt to compel them to recant, all to no avail. Hugo tries to make money out of the venture by selling 'relics' to the thousands of pilgrims who flock to the site in search of a miracle. The film concludes with the 'vision of the sun' whirling and descending to the earth during a violent rainstorm, after which it returns to its designated spot in the heavens. A fine family film. Well cast and thoroughly delightful to watch.

It is all too easy to find positive or negative aspects of the religious message of this film, released nine years after "The Song of Bernadette." In the ravaged middle of the twentieth century, torn up by wars and desolation, movies of faith helped to revive the spirits of many people, and that alone gave films like this great value. But the fact is, it is also great movie making, with a great story. While in my mind it does not match the sheer artistry of "Bernadette," It is well constructed and captures again the two sides of the question, whether to believe or not believe. There is a lot of documentation to support the validity of the story, but again if one chooses not to accept it, all the evidence in the world would be meaningless.

None-the-less, the catholic church took it very seriously. Sister Lucia, it is rumored sent a sealed letter to Rome just shortly before her death with the third and final message of the "lady." with instructions that it not be opened until a specific date. whether or not this is true, I do not know, but I do know that this is one of those films that will last for generations.

Missing the mark is this MIRACLE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA, although a sincere attempt has been made to tell the story without too many additions or over-dramatizing of actual events. Even Max Steiner's busy background score is not enough to overcome the many flaws evident in the telling.

The simple truth is that none of it comes to life as vividly as THE SONG OF BERNADETTE managed to do during the previous decade, with its nuanced understanding of the various political events that shaped the period. Here the political elements are seen simply as a repression of all things pertaining to religion and oppression of The Catholic Church by the authorities in Portugal in a sort of paranoia about Communism.

To be fair, this tale of children seeing The Virgin Mary and stirring up the wrath of unbelievers is told in a straightforward manner without any name stars or over-dramatizing of the actual events. And the only marquee name is GILBERT ROLAND whose role is that of a fictional rogue who helps the children when they need some aid.

But the children are not quite up to the task demanded of them by the screenplay (nor are they as appealing as they ought to be) and the script never matches the soaring religiosity of Steiner's musical themes. The climactic spinning of the sun for the miracle sequence is well done even though this was long before CGI effects were available.

On the technical side, the Warnercolor badly needs restoration. It has a muddy look that surely is not intentional nor the way it looked when the film was originally released.

Overall, a fairly accurate re-telling of events but not as inspirational as it should have been. Hopefully, it will prompt those who don't know the Fatima story to do some research of their own.

After seven years of political strife in 1910 Portugal--wherein clergymen became the target of a socialist regime and arrested--a new era dawns and people head back to the church. In this fragile setting, three children--whose pal is the local con-artist/thief/storyteller--claim to have a seen the holy vision of a woman floating above the "cova", who tells the oldest child she must come back every month for six months before the Lady will explain what she wants. Naturally, the story spreads throughout the village that the children have seen the Blessed Virgin, and the kids are branded as liars. Although a disclaimer tells us the film is fictitious, this event was indeed based upon a real incident (filmed previously in 1951 as the Spanish-language "La señora de Fátima"). It is a maddeningly simple-minded movie with manipulative undertones which, when combined with the artificial look of the picture, can put viewers on the defensive. On the other hand, when tender, tremulous Susan Whitney comes under fire and must endure the suffering from her squabbling elders, you might feel a little tug at your own heart. ** from ****