Product Description: The Story Behind the Film:Padre Pio as he is known by millions of believers around the world a worthy follower of Saint Francis of Assisi was born on 25 May 1887 at Pietrelcina in the Archdiocese of Benevento the son of Grazio Forgione and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio. He was baptized the next day and given the name Francesco. At the age of twelve he received the Sacrament of Confirmation and made his First Holy Communion. On 6 January 1903 at the age of sixteen he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at Morcone where on 22 January he took the Franciscan habit and the name Brother Pio. At the end of his novitiate year he took simple vows and on 27 January 1907 made his solemn profession. After he was ordained priest on 10 August 1910 at Benevento he stayed at home with his family until 1916 for health reasons. In September of that year he was sent to the friary of San Giovanni Rotondo and remained there until his death.The Film:Director Carlo Carlei (The Flight of the Innocent) manages to get to the core of the truth with this touching biopic that relives the tradition of religious filmmaking that benefits too from a powerhouse performance by Sergio Castellitto one of Italy most beloved contemporary stars.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: FOREIGN/LATIN UPC: 882853002697 Manufacturer No: NS0026DVD
Padre Pio: Miracle Man - a devotional movie This movie was soo well done!! The movie inspired and enlightened me. I was motivated and encouraged to want to read more accounts regarding this saintly man. Even if some of the facts ARE an assortment of facts and fiction- it really doesn't matter. The movie truly was indicative of what could be experienced when there is so much goodness in a soul.
Brought me more devotion, even though just a movie I noticed that some reviewers were offended by some of the liberties the filmmakers took with Padre Pio's life compared to his written biographies. However, I don't think the movie was disrespectful.
Regarding the story with Cleonice Morcaldi, if it is true that he was accused of having close relationships with some of the women, then I think the way they treated this story was fair. It showed how it was possible for regular people to misconstrue their relationship, even though it was, in fact, an innocent relationship. The fact that the screenwriters showed Brunetto admitting to share the same affection as Morcaldi for Padre Pio created the sense that it was an innocent but overwhelming affection that crossed all people who met him...and not "as you would think", as Cleonice's character responds.
Another point that offends some of the reviewers is the movie's portrayal of the Church as corrupt...that even Satan is portrayed to be a Bishop. First of all, the devil is a deceiver, so maybe the choice to portray the devil as a holy man actually falls along that line. I've read in other books that the devil appears to be handsome and attractive...not like the demons portrayed in horror movies. As far as the Church being portrayed as corrupt, it is true that corruption has existed in the Church, even though it is the Church that will prevail. Just because man has been corrupt does not take away from the holiness of Christ's Church which still stands 2000 years later.
Overall, I understand the reviewers, especially those loyal to the books written about this extraordinary saint. However, I feel that watching this movie, which was beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, did not detract from my devotion to Padre Pio, and only encourages me to learn more about him. Perhaps it is no longer surprising to me that a movie, for dramatic effect, takes a few liberties and does not portray only the facts written in biographies. Like any translation, movies try to convey the core meaning, which may not be word-for-word. Other than perhaps a few factual discrepancies, the movie is very Catholic and reveals the beauty within this traditional religion, as well as the many gifts Padre Pio shared with his community and still shares with many who seek his intercession today.
A Genuine Article Touching on key scenes of his life, 'Padre Pio, Miracle Man' transports the viewer through the saint's life. Nothing seems forced or stagnant. Sergio Castellitto is well-rounded and makes us forget that he's only an actor. Showing his tenderness and temper, and his vulnerability to enemies domestic and supernatural, this affecting drama seldom loses its footing. The supporting cast keeps it real, too. The story is structured much like 'Amadeus'. Pio tells his story/confession to a hardened cardinal, and we go back and forth from the aging saint to the portions retold of his life. Effective and absorbing.
This is not the real Pio - Read Ruffin's Bio if you want to know that Yes the movie is "beautiful and touching" as another reviewer stated. However, it is also quite wrong. I have read just about every biography of Padre Pio published in English (and there are many) and can assure you that you must read credible biographical works before you see this film if you want to know the real Padre Pio. Then if you still want to view this movie, you can sit down and spot the outrageous errors in the movie.
Question: Why would anyone interested in learning the truth about this remarkable man watch a movie that is loaded with mistakes and distortions?
Recommended: Right here on Amazon you can order Lutheran minister Bernard C. Ruffin's biography of Padre Pio. It is an excellent way to get the facts!
Terrible Movie This is a terrible movie, both from a religious and artistic point of view.
From an artistic point of view, it is often incoherent, the plot line jumbled, the characterisations inconsistent. Also, many things are changed around in the film, that would have been more potent had they retained the details of reality they were denied here.
From a religious point of view, the story flat-out lies regarding Saint Pio and events in his life, aspects of his religious beliefs, and comes very close to slander regarding fictional events portrayed in this film. The film portrays his father as confessing to adultery (this can be nothing but fiction, as confessions are sacred and sealed - plus, his father and mother were very devout and saintly and devoted to one another), and it portrays Saint Pio as having some sort of romantic obsession with one of his spiritual children. Nothing of these sorts took place. Ever!
From an artistic point of view, the device of an elderly priest harassing Saint Pio on his deathbed is almost humorously clumsy and facile. I could not laugh, however; because this is also another untruth. No such person visited Saint Pio.
From a religious point of view, I also found this story device distressing. The film strongly implies this man is the devil or one of his emissaries - and yet, Saint Pio begs him to hear his confession. This would not happen. Saint Pio literally battled satan daily, and the devil never won. And yet, in THIS film, Saint Pio is portrayed as wailing, "Why does he (the devil) always win?". Sacrilege.
I wish I had my money back. I wish I had the two hours of my life back which were spent watching this lying, clunky, ambling trash bin of a film. The filmmakers clearly have an agenda against religion, shown at every opportunity - lecherous priests, money grubbing religious, etc. My skin felt like it was crawling, watching this (and yet I felt I must, to be truly fair in my summation). They portray Saint Pio as an athlete bounding up stairs even in old age - in reality he slowly shuffled due to his stigmata wounds. Some of their jabs are subtle, others devious (see above examples) and still others are outright slaps in the face - of our dear Saint and of the Church. I felt anger watching it, but most of all sadness, and traces of the evil - some of its lies were so sneaky. If you haven't read every book about Saint Pio you possibly could - you might not know just how badly some of the events of his life are twisted, here.
Saint Pio asked his spiritual children not to give him a black eye. This film gives him a black eye. I hope you will not buy it. Please seek out a documentary or a book made by those who loved and knew him, instead. This film did not have the participation of such. Perhaps you should ask yourself why.
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