The Scarlet and the Black

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Summary: A tense, brilliantly acted story of redemption and courage
Review: Peck shines as an Irish priest in the Vatican during the second world war. As a neutral, he's free to come and go throughout Rome. What the Nazis don't know, but are beginning to suspect, is that this courageous servant of God is also shielding downed Allied pilots and Jews. Based on a true story. Christopher Plummer is simply diabolical as the Nazi officer persecuting Peck. And Sir John Gielgud makes a convincing appearance as His Holiness. The ending is especially moving. Okay for all ages. This is one of the very few movies made for Television that I feel safe calling "excellent".

Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: The plot however a bit tired is based on the true story of a real priest in the Vatican who rescued Jews and Allies (prisoners of war) from the NAzI's. Christopher Plummer is weak in contrast to Gregary Peck but he carries his role well enough as the German villian to Peck's saint. I liked it well enough to buy it recomend and it to others, but it is not the kind of thing I enjoy watching often.

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Summary: Vindicates the Catholic Church's role in WW2
Review: THE SCARLET AND THE BLACK, at 2 1/2 hours, drags in places, but it's well worth getting for Gregory Peck's excellent performance. And, while I agree with ebrauer's comments that the film doesn't give Pius XII enough credit, it's not primarily about Pius. It still manages to go a long way toward refuting the lies of anti-Catholics who claim the Vatican SUPPORTED Hitler in World War II. Nothing could be further from the truth and the filmmakers are to be commended for telling this story, and showing the true contrast between Catholic and Nazi values -- a gulf that is as wide as that between heaven and hell.

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Summary: A Factual Rebuttal to Salacious Charges Against The Papacy !
Review: This factual and dramatic film is one of the many rebuttals to salacious charges made over the last 40 years that the Papacy did nothing to help the Jews against Nazi tyranny in World War II. Nothing could be more from the truth ! His Holiness, Pope Pius XII, was relentless in his determination to thwart the Hitler-Mussolini terrorization and murder of millions of Jews, Catholics and other Cristian groups. The vicious attacks by ignorant anti Catholic writers and critics have gone on for years but papers, reports and eye witness accounts over the same period, most notably the last several years, have totally demolished the false and bigoted charges made against Pius XII. The Catholic Church, notably the newly elected Pope, Pius XII in 1938, did more to hide and disguise Jews and move them into convents, churches and ultimately out of Gemany and Italy to safety in allied countries than any other single organization. These heroic deeds were recognized by the Head Rabbi Zolli of Rome so much so that he became a convert to Catholicism, taking the Christian name of Eugene after Eugenio Pacelli, the full name of Pius XII. Years later, none other than Israel Prime Minister Golda Meir also praised the valiant efforts of Pius XII in her official thanks for saving thousands of Jewish lives.

This film, THE SCARLET AND THE BLACK, focuses on one of many heroes of the Holocaust, Monsignor Flaherty, brilliantly protrayed by Gregory Peck with a supporting cast of eminent actors and actresses including Christopher Plummer, John Gielgud and Raf Valone.

Although the Pope, as portrayed by Gielgud, insists on the fact of neutrality to the Nazi regime and at times appears passive, in actuality, the real Pope Pius XII, was a master of his own war of words with Hitler, so much so that the Vatican was never harmed due to the world wide indignation over jsut the thought of a military reprisal by Hitler. This movie should be a mandaatory part of any history class dealing with WWII. It is simply excellent !

Dick Bobnick, Burnsville, Minnesota

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Summary: One of my two favoritemovies of all time!!
Review: This is a fabulous movie! Not only is it a wonderful historic film and full of drama and suspense there are also many scenes that are actualy extremely funny. My favorite part is where O'Flagherty is standing right at the white line swinging his feet over it and grinning into the ... gun sights knowing they can do nothing unless he actualy crosses it! I also always enjoy it when an Irish actor plays an Irish-man, a phony Irish accent is so glaringly noticable but a real one is beautiful. Christopher Plummer is also fantastic as Colonel Kappler, the way he maneges to be purely evil and ruthless yet still have a convincing human side is awesome. I would highly recomend this movie to anyone!

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Summary: I love it
Review: This is my favorite movie of all time.Gregory Peck was great as Hugh O' Flaghtery.The musical score is excellent as is the acting.A great film.

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Summary: WW II movie lovers
Review: This is one of the best WWII movies I have seen. Gregory Peck is absolutely wonderfull and this is the perfect roll for him. I loved it.

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Summary: A True Story and a Classic
Review: This movie is based on the truth. It is about what really happened during World War II when the Catholic Church really did do much to help Jews and political prisoners in Italy. It refutes false claims that the Catholic Church, especially the Pope, did nothing to help the Jews or that the Pope even helped Hitler. This movie is suspenseful and very moving.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best!
Review: This movie never gets enough credit! This is one of the best war time movies ever and with Mr. Peck's passing this is a must see for Peck fans who have not seen this movie. Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer in one of his best roles play a cat and mouse game during WW2. The acting is fantastic and there is a lot of suspense! A must see!

Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Review: This movie was awesome,it stared a young Fabiana Udenio(Allota Fagina(from Austin Powers)should I say more?