Saint Pierre

I really enjoyed San Pieter. Omar Shariff is excellent and for me it's one of his best performances! Although not the best of movies technically, however this movie does portray the important aspects of St Peter and who this man was. Omar, although playing a Peter much older than the Peter in the Gospels, shows the passion and love he had for Jesus. And his desire to evangelize to the world. I saw the 2 hour version of Santa Pietro versus the 4 1/2 version but it covers the high pets of Peters journey from denier to evangelize. The other actors do a great job also. I think you will enjoy this movie.

As a fan of Omar Sheriff, I was delighted to find this 2005 film in which he portrays a confused, penitent and endearing Peter. Yes, the film is long. But the length enables us to get to know the early followers of Jesus that are named in the Gospels/Acts. And we meet other imagined followers with whom we can identify in experiencing their fears and frustrations. The vast array of characters can become somewhat confusing since they are intermixed with events depicted in biblical stories through flashbacks into differing time periods. But the whole film succeeds in drawing us into the personal challenges of the earliest Christians.

Expensively mounted Biblical production with mostly Italian star-cast and spectacularly filmed in Italy , but overlong , in fact the length of this TV movie runs 4 hours and 25 minutes . Two men changed the world forever : Jesus Christ and his main disciple : St Peter . A colorful version of Peter's life with a true epic treatment and following the Catholic canon and being marvellously shot . Peter was considered along with James the Just and John the Apostle as pillars of the Church .The leadership of Peter forms the basis of the Apostolic succession and the institutional power of orthodoxy, and is described as "the rock" on which the church will be built. Catholics refer to him as chief of the Apostles . As Peter is always listed first among the Twelve Apostles in the gospels and in the Book of Acts . Peter is often depicted in the gospels as spokesman of all the Apostles . He is also frequently mentioned in the gospels as forming with James the Elder and John a special group within the Twelve Apostles, present at incidents at which the others were not present, such as at the Transfiguration of Jesus, at the raising of Jairus' daughter and at the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane , Death and Resurrection . As Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians contains a list of resurrection appearances of Jesus, the first of which is an appearance to Peter . In John's Gospel, Peter is the first person to enter the empty tomb, although the women and the beloved disciple see it before him . And of course , all four canonical gospels recount that, during the Last Supper, Jesus foretold that Peter would deny him three times before the following cockcrow ("before the cock crows twice" in Mark's account). According to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero.He is traditionally counted as the first Bishop of Rome-or pope-and also by Eastern Christian tradition as the first Patriarch of Antioch. The ancient Christian churches all venerate Peter as a major saint and as the founder of the Church of Antioch and the Roman Church. This highly regarded epic deals with a dramatic recreation of the life of St. Peter from his meeting with Jesus . Through miracles , Jesus succeeds in allaying the doubts of Simon the Fisher called Peter (Omar Shariff) and even those of Thomas, the skeptic , and shortly after , Matthew the tax collector who becomes a follower of Jesus, despite the other disciples' mistrust . Jesus Christ's (Johannes Brandrup) journey from Galilee to Golgotha is portrayed here in thought-provoking as well as original treatment by using some flashbacks . Including Christ evangelization , Crucifixion , Resurrection , through the Ascention and the renewal of Pentecost. Concerning about the wonderful life, work and death of Peter , a reluctant but passionate leader , as we know it from the Bible , adding his relation to St. Paulus (Daniele Pecci) Virgen Maria , Christ's Mother (Lina Sastri) , Maria Magdalena (Milena Miconi) and other Apostles : Mattias (Lionello) , Barnabe (Mariani) , Filippo (Abenayake) ... The film includes all of the major events referred to in the New Testament with descriptive Biblical passages from the crucifixion of Jesus to his own, his life in Jerusalem , Antioch , and Rome where Peter knows he has a destiny to fulfill. The film's first half dramatizes the New Testament's "Acts": early fear, as his followers disciples are already slowly beginning to gather around him , Saul's conversion, the decision to baptize pagans, and his relationship to other apostles and so on and finally the Apostles' dispersal. Peter went to Antioch where Paul rebuked him for following the conservative line regarding the conversion of Gentiles, having meals separate from Gentiles . Subsequent tradition held that Peter had been the first Patriarch of Antioch. Later on , Peter and Paul founded the Church of Rome and the Church of Corinth, and they have lived in Corinth for some time, and definitively in Italy where they found death and there Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans about AD 57 . In the second half, an elderly Peter goes to Rome to join Paul, bringing to the Eternal City the Christian teachings and arriving on the day of Paul's arrest. Paul's death brings a crisis to Rome's Christians and to Peter ; lessons from Jesus's teachings guide his decision to stay. The apocryphal Acts of Peter is the source for the tradition about the Latin famous phrase "Quo vadis, Domine?" which means "Where are you going, Lord?". According to the story, Peter, fleeing Rome to avoid execution meets the risen Jesus. In the Latin translation, Peter asks Jesus, "Quo vadis?" He replies "I am going to Rome to be crucified again". Peter then gains the courage to continue his ministry and returns to the city, where he is martyred . Early Church Tradition says that Peter probably died by crucifixion (with arms outstretched) at the time of the Great Fire of Rome in the year 64. This took place three months after the disastrous fire that destroyed Rome for which the emperor (Nero) wished to blame the Christians. This "dies imperii" (regnal day anniversary) was an important one, exactly ten years after Nero ascended to the throne, and it was 'as usual' accompanied by much bloodshed. Traditionally, Roman authorities sentenced him to death by crucifixion. In accordance with the apocryphal Acts of Peter, he was crucified head down.Tradition also locates his burial place where the Basilica of Saint Peter was later built, directly beneath the Basilica's high altar .

Breathtaking story set in Christ times with emphasis in religious motives , lavish costumes and crowds . This is an impressive story of the life of St. Peter filmed on a relatively grand scale , being efficiently directed by Giulio Base . However , not completely reverential at some Biblical characters . Life of Peter is intelligently told , including glowing cinematography by Giovanni Galasso , an attractive visual style , memorable soundtrack by Marco Frisina and decent cast giving larger-than-life interpretation . Sensitive though aged Omar Shariff in exactly the right role , he gives a dedicated effort at the character , his acting has power , nobility, subtlety and sensibility . However , some scenarios and outdoors lack of authenticity and unrealistic , being extremely green and lush .

"One heart, one soul"

These words that appear many times in the magnificent latest movie by Giulio Base are not just the words that relate to early Christian attitude but they are clearly reflected throughout the film made with honest effort and great faith both from the crew and the cast. I have seen many religious historical epics. Nevertheless, I have to admit that seldom have I seen such a purely faithful movie where almost each moment is an experience. Let me discuss some of the aspects of the film that make it a brilliant piece of film art.

CONTENT: Giulio Base's film can be divided into two parts concerning the content. The first part discusses purely historical events from the New Testament, beginning with the death and resurrection of Christ and going on to Apostles' meetings, conversions to the new faith, quarrels who actually has the right to be baptized, persecutions from Jews, the miraculous story of Saul/Paul, and ending with Peter's journey to the heart of the empire, Rome. The events showed in the second part take place primarily in Rome, with some fictitious characters that are contextualized in the whole life stories of Peter and Paul. We see two families whose lives are connected by love and faith. Claudius Maximus (Ettore Basi), the son of a wealthy Roman, Persius (Ennio Caltorti), falls in love with a Christian girl Silvia (Bianca Guaccero). He does not see any benefit in the new faith at first but slowly starts to believe in the Son of God. Will this help him retain good relations with his family? Moreover, a mystery from his family's past is revealed at the moment of the death of Claudius' Grandma... In the other family, David (Flavio Insinna), the masked gladiator called Trachus, fights on arena as a gladiator. However, he hides this truth from his Christian wife, Anna (Claudia Koll). Yet, his life in two worlds cannot last forever and he once has to stand before the choice... earthly or spiritual freedom?... Among these vivid stories, the director shows Peter-Paul relations. Sometimes, they are exaggerated because these two have not met so many times and probably died on the same day not having met in prison before. Yet, it must be treated rather in the symbolic way. The primary fact about them is that they were the two greatest Apostles of Christ's Church. In the end, we see the persecutions of Christians and Peter who leaves Rome and meets the Lord on his way who is going to be crucified again...

BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS: The film is filled with a number of magnificent scenes that I deeply experienced to tears. If you decide to see the movie, pay attention to little aspects that are perhaps not so clear at once but noticed after a longer inspection. These aspects, which I noticed at the second viewing, are the real pearls of the film. These are, among many others, the visit at Cornelius' in Caesarea, the Eucharist in prison, the symbolic moment of joy at Christ's resurrection, the conversation with a prostitute ("Is there really such a God who will forgive?") or Paul's miraculous way for Damascus. Except for the above, I will never forget Sylvia-Claudius conversation in his beautiful gardens. "What do you lack? What more is there that can make you happy? asks Claudius. Immediately, the question is answered by a voice coming from the streets of Rome "Jesus is true happiness!" I also loved the moment of retrospection in time. Peter decides to put up his mission in Rome but unintentionally comes back in memory to the words of Christ: "You are the rock and on this rock I shall build my Church". The end is also unbelievably beautiful and touching, which refers to one historical and spiritual fact: Rome has changed forever and the whole world will never be the same since the Redeemer makes all things new...

CAST: Among the films about Peter's elderly years in Rome, Omar Sharif portrays the fishermen of people in the most memorable way I have seen so far: better than Dennis Quiley in A.D (1985), more authentic than Franciszek Pieczka in QUO VADIS? (2000), even more appealing than Finlay Currie in Hollywood's monumental production QUO VADIS? (1951) by Mervyn LeRoy. He is great with that blink in his eyes that probably real saint Peter had and at showing love for all men that real saint Peter learned from his Lord. Omar Sharif is magnificent and even if you are not religious, you will love this film thanks to his performance. Other cast are not that famous but they give fine performances, too. I particularly liked Bianca Guaccero in the role of gentle young girl Silvia, so in love with Claudius. Among others, these are Italian cast who very well fit to the roles of the Romans.

LOCATIONS: There is one more reason why I like the movie. The landscapes that the film shows are very much like the ones in Palestine. After my journey to the Holy Land, I deeply feel this sense of authenticity. Therefore, some biblical films seemed so unnatural because they were made in wrong locations. Giulio Base's film does a great job throughout, including the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, the reconstruction of the Jerusalem and the Rome of the 1st century. So far, such an authentic film concerning locations was Franco Zeffirelli's production with Robert Powell.

I would recommend everyone to see this film, no matter if old or young, Christian, Jew or Muslim, believer or atheist. It is a splendid film which is not a "Christian propaganda" as some cynical people unjustly call such films. It is the film which primarily focuses on the dignity, freedom and love of every human being. 10/10 Excellent movie that I dream to see for the third time!

Omar Shariff does a good job. that is the first verdict after the end of film. a film who propose , in 197 minutes, not a religious lesson but a circle of stories. and who propose a different Saint Peter, more humble, kind and, maybe, wise. it is touching and convincing. it is beautiful and credible. and propose an inspired manner to discover the Christianity in its essence. that is the rare gift who impose this film as a trip in the manner to assume the faith. Saint Peter of Omar Shariff is vulnerable and looking the right answer to his brothers and sisters in faith. he becomes a guide for community as result of his fear, doubts, need to be the disciple of the Lord who is not only the model but the only real solution to assume the challenges.and that does Peter not the first Pope, the saint or the first apostle but a kind of country priest from the novel of Bernanos. his success is different by the character of the French writer. the purpose is the same. and that detail does the film beautiful. the dialog, the patience, the atmosphere, not real different by the atmosphere of many Christian films but more subtle and warm for send the message in right manner. a film about the build of faith. and the birth of Church.