Rating: 
Summary: Evaluating film, not the tale - Could be tighter.
Review: "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." So Msr. O'Flaherty and co. do something. This story, which I am astonished to be learning for the first time (my father, being Irish, Catholic and in WWII should have been bragging of this all my life) is one of the best I have ever heard or read. What a ripping yarn, and it's not only true but from background reading even better than what's in the movie. There are no words for the completely redemptive, God-glorifying quality of this tale and even the movie. But, and it's a small but - I don't care if Peck has a passing weak Irish accent. To be accurate, Gielgud would be speaking Italian and Plummer German, so put that out of your mind completely. Its small failings are - it is too long. (2 1/2 hours) It is worth the time, but things that could be told really well have not been, you can sense it from what you see - and other things are lingered over that could be cut effectively. Maybe I am looking for Hollywood"drama" and this is more realistic, I'm not sure. I've sat through all 3 Lord of the Rings (also too long)and doubt I would rewatch them. This is one I'd watch several more times, and it would be more watchable if it were a half hour shorter. As far as rating and younger children - if they have reached the age to learn anything about the war, I don't think you could do better than letting them see there were people fighting that evil who didn't carry guns.
Rating: 
Summary: An edge of your seat thriller. . .
Review: . . .all the more exciting because it's a (mostly) true story.Let's begin with the cast. Gregory Peck, Christopher Plummer and Sir John Gielgud all together in the same movie? Just this cast alone would be enough to recommend this movie to most people. And the filming? On location in Rome and the Vatican. Doesn't get much better than that! Drama? Yes, it's there. Suspense? In SPADES! Pathos? Yup! Humor? Believe it or not, yes! This movie, based on the true story of an Irish cleric in the Vatican will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. The ending will have you cheering and crying and shocked, etc. You will run the full gamut of emotions when viewing this film. The only major difficulty? The "politically correct" portrayal of Eugenio Pacelli, aka Pope Pius XII. For me, a trained historian, this was a major flaw. The film's presentation of Pius was that of a weak man, unable to do much of anything, while the facts of the matter were quite different. Regardless, though, this movie does rate as a "must see".
Rating: 
Summary: Great Cure for Insomnia!
Review: A great story about a courageous priest who openly opposed evil at the risk of his own life should make a great movie, but this isn't a great movie. This movie isn't a drama, it's a tragedy. It's a tragedy that this isn't a great movie. There are three kinds of actors that could have been considered for the role of Monsignor O'Flaherty: 1.) Irish actors; 2.) Non-Irish actors who can use Irish accents effectively; and 3.) Gregory Peck. Now, I wasn't in on any production meetings or casting calls, but if there were any actors available from the first two categories, why were they not used? Peck's portrayal of Monsignor O'Flaherty isn't even vaguely convincing. He doesn't sound Irish; instead, he sounds like a mediocre American actor who is trying desperately to sound Irish. His attempts at an Irish accent nearly turn this movie into a comedy. Sir John Gielgud is cast as Pope Pius XII, and he does a commendable job of portraying this heroic pope according to the false gospel of historical revisionism. He nearly fails in this effort early on, when his Pius XII shows some backbone in his dealings with the Nazis, but he quickly falls back into an irresponsible and inaccurate portrayal of Pius XII as a spineless man who wants to maintain peace at all costs. There is plenty of historical evidence to the contrary, but this seems not to have mattered to the producers of this movie. To be fair, in general, this movie portrays the Church in a positive light, and it deserves commendation for that. However, even this can't make up for the fact that Peck is badly miscast and that Gielgud is unappealing. Despite all this, I do recommend buying this video. Pop it into the VCR some night when you're having trouble getting to sleep. You'll be well rested in the morning.
Rating:
Summary: Fairly accurate
Review: Although I enjoyed this video and thought that it was fairly accurate with respect to Monsignor O'Flaherty, I dont think it gives Pius xii the credit that he deserves. The Vatican archives, which ccontain Actes, show mutitudes of documentation that show that Pius xii was extremely active in protecting Jews. I would assume, from what I have read, that he operated through diplomacy. He was clearly not aloof, as the back of the video box says. People need to stop scapegoating this part of history to Pius xii, and that includes the Israeli government.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic acting, great directing, riveting to watch.
Review: An excellent movie - one which will hold audiences throughout with no trouble. I have now viewed the movie on TV on a number of times and always fully enjoy watching it.
Rating:
Summary: WW II story of Nazi occupied Rome.
Review: Based on a true story (The Scarlet Pimpernell of the Vatican) of Msgr Hugh O'Flaharty of the Vatican who runs a clandestine operation to hide allied servicemen and Jews in and around German occupied Rome. His nemisis, S.S. Col. Herbert Kapler, is played by Christopher Plummer. Pope Pius XII is played by Sir John Guilgood. Excellent scenes of the Vatican and Rome, coupled with interesting insight to the rest of the story regarding the Vatican's work with the victims of the war. Good performances and entertaining. END
Rating:
Summary: Worth it!
Review: Besides being a true story, a well made movie. Excellent performances by the two actors. The first time I saw this movie over ten years back, I will not forget the last scene where Kapler looks into the camera with eyes of wonder/tears....
Rating:
Summary: Great Cure for Insomnia!
Review: But, there are some inaccuarcies. Such as where Pius XII's actions are minimized and where a concordat of Pius XI is treated as his own. Then there's the scene (I'll try not to give away the plot) where a priest about to be killed, have given Last Rites to himself.
Rating:
Summary: Overall, pretty good
Review: But, there are some inaccuarcies. Such as where Pius XII's actions are minimized and where a concordat of Pius XI is treated as his own. Then there's the scene (I'll try not to give away the plot) where a priest about to be killed, have given Last Rites to himself.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful performances!
Review: Christopher Plummer is one of the best actors around today and it is a crime that he is so often overlooked and not given the recognition he deserves. This movie is one of the best examples of this injustice. Plummer gives one of his best perfomances here as Col. Kapler, the Nazi officer assigned to hold and control Rome during WWII. I don't want to spoil the ending but the last two scenes with Plummer are spectacular. Ever see someone smile with only their eyes? Plummer can! Now that's acting! And with Gregory Peck also starring in this movie, how can you go wrong? Highly recommended!
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