Year of Release: 1983Country of Origin: USA, UK, Italy
Director: Jerry London
Cast: Gregory Peck, Christopher Plummer, John Gielgud
Plot outline: Based on J. P. Gallagher's book The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican (published in 1967), the movie tells the story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a real life Irish Catholic priest who saved thousands of Jews and Allied POWs in Nazi-occupied Rome. (IMDb).
Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer are strong in the leading roles, but the edge goes to Plummer. Peck's on-again-off-again Irish brogue is distracting, but he makes an acceptable hero. Plummer, on the other hand, is deliciously wicked - charming on the outside, ruthless underneath. Even so, there are occasional glimpses of a less-brutish man; a man who loves his family and wants them to be safe; a man not entirely content with the horrors he has helped to create. So, when Plummer is forced to ask his archenemy for help, we can feel a bit sorry for his shattered pride and can share some of his resulting disillusionment and despair. One of the really wonderful moments in the movie comes at the end. Kappler is asked a question and the camera moves in for a close-up of his face. He doesn't have to say a word - the answer is in his eyes. Fantastic! The movie does its best to restore Pope Pius XII's reputation - he has been called "Hitler's Pope" - but it is unclear how much he knew of, or even condoned, O'Flaherty's activities. The Pope makes it clear he understands O'Flaherty's motivation while warning him that if he is arrested, he will not compromise Vatican neutrality to save him. This inspiring story of heroism and courage is ultimately about forgiveness and about asking ourselves what we would have done. It's an excellent reminder that one should never under-estimate oneself - one good person can do a heck of a lot! (A)
My judgement: **1/2 out of 4 stars
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