Witness to Hope: The Life of Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II

This documentary traces the life of this charismatic Polish Pope from his early life to the later years of his Papacy. It's not only fascinating but so incredibly inspiring. Karol Wotyla was an intellectual with a common touch and though no one could have predicted his rise to head of the Catholic church, in retrospect it doesn't seen that surprising. This movie shows with documentary footage, interviews with friends and associates, and even the Pope's own words, how life shaped him into the most popular Pope of modern times. I can't recommend this film strongly enough and my only complaint is that I would have liked it to be longer.

John Paul II was buried this morning and as part of a day of tribute RTE television (Irelands national station) showed "Witness to Hope". At 2hrs long I didn't think I would watch the entire programme, but such was the attention to detail and fascinating presentation I watched it all.

The film/documentary is is a biography chartering the life of Karol Wojtyla. From youth it includes his trials through WW2 subsequently the communist regime, his rise through the church to become Pope and then what he achieved as Pope. Most relevant events in his life are covered, such as the death of his mother when he was v. young/getting shot/his struggle against the Nazis & communism in his native Poland.

I am not a deeply religious person but I enjoyed the film and would recommend it to others that wish to find out more about the man that became Pope. A couple of minor lapses effected my overall rating - e.g. how/when did he become a cardinal but this was still an interesting & educational presentation. May he rest in peace.