Truly Catholic Films
Forget the List from the National Catholic Register which gave us 100 films that barely made the "Catholic" quota never mind the "impurity" standards that Catholic's are supposed to adhere to... Here are a ton of REAL Catholic films that will make you be proud of your Faith!
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- DirectorDean WrightStarsAndy GarciaOscar IsaacCatalina Sandino MorenoA chronicle of the Cristeros War (1926-1929); a war by the people of Mexico against the atheistic Mexican government.In late 1920s Mexico, retired Gen. Gorostieta and his wife watch their country degenerate into violent civil war when the government enacts a series of anti-clerical laws. Gorostieta is at first hesitant to join the rebels, known as Cristeros, until he begins to see the cost of religious persecution on his countrymen. Though the odds are against him, the general nevertheless transforms a ragtag band of rebels into a formidable fighting force. - Based on real events -
- DirectorRoland JofféStarsCharlie CoxWes BentleyDougray ScottArising out of the horror of the Spanish Civil War, a candidate for canonization is investigated by a journalist who discovers his own estranged father had a deep, dark and devastating connection to the saint's life.An investigative journalist unearths secrets about his father's ties to the controversial founder of Opus Dei, St. Josemaria Escriva.
- DirectorChristian DuguayStarsAlessandra MastronardiMarco FoschiMiguel Herz-KestranekPapacy of Pius XII focusing on years during World War Two.Based on Vatican documents and personal testimonies used by advocates for the cause for the canonization of Venerable Pope Pius XII, this epic film stars acclaimed actor James Cromwell in a powerful movie about the great, often hidden struggle waged by the Pope and many others with him to save the Jews from the Nazis during WWII. After the Nazi's take over Rome in 1943, Hitler's plan to kidnap the Pope is revealed as the Nazis make an all-out attempt to silence the one authority figure in Italy standing strong against them. Everything comes together with great intensity in this dramatic story that retraces history from the documents and the testimonies of witnesses that was not fully known til now. - (Ignatius Press)
- DirectorAlexander RamatiStarsBen CrossJames MasonIrene PapasA simple friar and a local bishop set up a pipeline for hundreds of Jews to hide and escape the Nazis in World War II Assisi.An Italian bishop puts a young priest in charge of hiding Jews in a Nazi-occupied city.
- DirectorRobert HamerStarsAlec GuinnessJoan GreenwoodPeter FinchWorks of art are disappearing, stolen by a master thief, a master of disguise. Father Brown has two goals: to catch the thief and to save his soul.When amateur detective Father Brown is put in charge of shipping an extremely valuable religious artifact -- a crucifix -- from London to Rome, a master thief and master of disguise named Flambeau outwits the young priest and steals the cross for himself. Now Father Brown must track down Flambeau, try to reclaim the crucifix and also convince Flambeau not only to abandon his criminal career but also to save his immortal soul.
- DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsPaul ScofieldWendy HillerRobert ShawThe story of Sir Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarry.When the highly respected British statesman Sir Thomas More refuses to pressure the Pope into annulling the marriage of King Henry VIII and his Spanish-born wife, More's clashes with the monarch increase in intensity. A devout Catholic, More stands by his religious principles and moves to leave the royal court. Unfortunately, the King and his loyalists aren't appeased by this, and press forward with grave charges of treason, further testing More's resolve.
- DirectorMel GibsonStarsJim CaviezelMonica BellucciMaia MorgensternDepicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem.
- DirectorHenry KingStarsJennifer JonesCharles BickfordWilliam Eythe14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous, living in a small town in the south of 1850s France, claims to have seen a divine vision, prompting extreme skepticism, concern from her family, and religious and political turmoil.Based on the popular novel by Franz Werfel, this drama focuses on Bernadette Soubirous, a young French woman who experiences vivid visions of the Virgin Mary. While many dismiss her claims, certain people, including the priest Dominique Peyramale, slowly begin to believe her. Eventually, Bernadette is deemed a saint, and becomes a nun at a convent, where she must deal with jealousy from others who resent her revered status.
- DirectorJean DelannoyStarsSydney PennyJean-Marc BoryJean-Marie BernicatIn 1857, an unemployed miller moves his family into grim lodgings; his wife takes in laundry. In February of 1858, at the Massabielle grotto, their 14-year old asthmatic, illiterate daughter, Bernadette, sees a light she later distinguishes as a beautiful young woman. The girl converses with the woman over the next few months. Crowds follow her and people are cured by the waters from a spring Bernadette has cleared. Secular authorities are threatened by the popular gatherings and subject the girl to police inquiry and medical review. The local monsignor is also skeptical, then becomes Bernadette's champion. She maintains her forthright simplicity and untutored wisdom throughout.
- DirectorJean DelannoyStarsSydney PennyEmmanuelle RivaCatherine de SeynesBernadette knows she's been chosen to be the Bride of the Lord.
- DirectorJerry LondonStarsGregory PeckChristopher PlummerJohn GielgudVatican efforts, led by Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, to save Allied P.O.W.s and downed Allied airmen as the Nazis invade Rome.Based on a true story, the movie portrays the Vatican efforts, lead by Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, to save Allied POWs and downed Allied airmen as the Nazis invade Rome.
- DirectorMaurice ClocheStarsPierre FresnayAimé ClariondJean DebucourtSt. Vincent de Paul struggles to bring about peace and harmony among peasants and nobles in the midst of the Black Death in Europe, carrying on his charitable work in the face of all obstacles.Born into poverty and sold into slavery, Vincent de Paul survives to become a respected clergyman and a confidante of the nobility. But when the Black Plague descends upon France, Vincent leaves his comfortable post to become a simple parish priest. Single-minded in his devotion to the wretched poor, he rallies the landed class to create charitable organizations, and in the process revolutionizes treatment of the needy the world over.
- DirectorJohn BrahmStarsGilbert RolandAngela ClarkeFrank SilveraIn this story based on true events of 1917, three Portuguese children share a miraculous, prophetic vision of the Virgin Mary.
- DirectorHenry KosterStarsRichard BurtonJean SimmonsVictor MatureIn the Roman province of Judea during the 1st century, Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is ordered to crucify Jesus of Nazareth but is tormented by his guilty conscience afterwards.In this biblical epic, a drunk and disillusioned Roman, Marcellus Gallio, wins Jesus' robe in a dice game after the crucifixion. Marcellus has never been a man of faith like his slave, Demetrius, but when Demetrius escapes with the robe, Marcellus experiences disturbing visions and feels guilty for his actions. Convinced that destroying the robe will cure him, Marcellus sets out to find Demetrius -- and discovers his Christian faith along the way.
- DirectorGiacomo BattiatoStarsPiotr AdamczykMalgorzata BelaKen DukenThe life of the pope John-Paul II, from his youth as a writer, actor, and athlete in war-torn occupied Poland to his election as Pope at the age of 58.Epic film that follows Karol Wojtyla's life until the moment he is elected Pope.
- DirectorGiacomo BattiatoStarsPiotr AdamczykDariusz KwasnikMichele PlacidoThe continuing story of Karol Wojtyla until his death.
- DirectorLodovico GaspariniStarsFlavio InsinnaLina SastriCharles DanceThe life of Saint Don Bosco.
- DirectorMichael O'HerlihyStarsKate MulgrewJean-Pierre AumontRossano BrazziA true story about Elizabeth Bayley Seton, the first American to ever be canonized as a saint by the Pope. She took up Catholicism after the death of her rich husband, fought bigotry, and opened free Catholic schools and orphanages.The life and work of educator Elizabeth Ann Seton, who died in 1821, the first U.S.-born saint.
- DirectorEdward DmytrykStarsMaximilian SchellRicardo MontalbanLea PadovaniIn 17th century Italy, a simple and clumsy young man joins a Franciscan order, pursues full priesthood and performs a miracle that eventually ensures his sainthood.In 17th century Italy, a simple and clumsy young man joins a Franciscan order, pursues full priesthood and performs a miracle that eventually ensures his sainthood.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsBradford DillmanDolores HartStuart WhitmanIn 13th century Italy, Francis Bernardone, the son of an Assisi merchant, renounces a promising army career in favor of a monastic life and starts his own religious order, sanctioned by the Pope.
- DirectorJohn M. StahlStarsGregory PeckThomas MitchellVincent PriceA young priest is sent to China to establish a Catholic parish.Fictional story: Orphaned as a child, Francis Chisholm grows up to join the priesthood. He decides to become a missionary in China, and arrives to find the previous church burned down. Undaunted, he presses on, but doesn't initially fare well with the local populace. It's not until the child of a Mandarin falls ill that Chisholm proves his worth. Over time, he collaborates with a trio of nuns, endures several wars and, at the end of his life, returns to Scotland.
- DirectorMervyn LeRoyAnthony MannStarsRobert TaylorDeborah KerrLeo GennAfter fierce Roman commander Marcus Vinicius becomes infatuated with beautiful Christian hostage Lygia, he begins to question the tyrannical leadership of the despotic emperor Nero.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsCharlton HestonJack HawkinsStephen BoydAfter a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.Charlton Heston plays a Palestinian Jew who is battling the Roman empire at the time of Christ. His actions send him and his family into slavery, but an inspirational encounter with Jesus changes everything. Heston finally meets his rival in a justly famous chariot race and rescues his suffering family.
- DirectorTimur BekmambetovStarsJack HustonToby KebbellRodrigo SantoroJudah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother, an officer in the Roman army, returns to his homeland after years at sea to seek revenge, but finds redemption.Judah Ben-Hur loses everything after his adopted brother Messala, now an officer in the Roman army, returns to Jerusalem and accuses the young prince of treason. Stripped of his title and separated from his wife and family, Ben-Hur must endure years of slavery on a galley at sea. When fate brings the estranged brothers to an epic and deadly chariot race, Ben-Hur finally gets the chance to exact vengeance on the man who destroyed his life.
- DirectorVictor FlemingStarsIngrid BergmanJosé FerrerSelena RoyleThe abbreviated life of the 15th-century French heroine.During the Hundred Years' War, peasant girl Joan of Arc hears voices instructing her to save France from the English. Convinced that these unsummoned murmurings are divine messages from God, Joan consults the uncrowned Charles VII who, startled by the accuracy of her clairvoyance, assembles an army and installs her as its leader and spiritual guide. Her victorious forces reclaim much of their homeland from the English, but she herself falls into enemy hands.