Reviews (6) 
Could have been more than it was
Purchased this out of curiosity as to what it might reveal from a historical footage point of view. Was mildly disappointed in that it was a brief documentary with a British narrator best left for a museum exhibit. Considering the Vatican is in possession of footage from the time of Leo XIII as well as that of Pius XI and possibly something of the other two neglected popes:Pius X and Benedict XV, the slight treatment given is somewhat disquieting. Nonetheless the footage of Pius XII is interesting in regards to his coronation, and the enthusiasm he had for riding around on the sedia gestatoria (portable throne). John XXIII was portrayed in a warm light and gives an idea of what he was like. Paul VI came off a little cold. It would've been nice to have full soundbites sans narration with perhaps a subtitle of translation so that the popes could be heard in their own voices. John Paul I was glossed over a little too much. There could've been more shown in regards to the "smiling Pope". All of the announcements of election also could've been shown. A DVD would be the perfect medium for this. It felt somewhat rushed and slightly low budget. Still for collectors, enthusiasts and historians, not to mention the curious, this is an interesting trinket for your viewing pleasure.
Pope John Paul II: His Biography & Tridentine Mass
This video was done by an amateur, both in the video editing and audio editing. The sound was awful with the background music too loud. The video was narrated by someone who wasn't very professional.
I thought that the Tridentine Mass would have had John Paul II preciding over it. But it was just some priest from California. I was very disappointed in this set. It's something I wouldn't bother to watch again.
Pope John Paul II - The Movie
This movie was extremely inspirational. I so enjoyed it! It covers a full span of the Holy Father's life from boyhood to adulthood. The story line shows the Pope's humaness, his intellect, and his great love of God. It also revealed the struggles and strength of the Polish people during World War II. I have recommended it to friends who have equally enjoyed it.
I'm Pope-eye the Savior's man!
Many people today think of John Paul II as some sort of well-intentioned preachy old-timer set in his church's archaic ways, with little, if nothing, relevant to say in our present troubled times. As this movie shows, they couldn't be more wrong! We're talking about a bigger-than-life hero here, if ever there was one! Albert Finney is astounding in the role of a Polish working class priest witnessing first hand the worst atrocities of the XX century, and putting his own life on the line in order to stop and ammend them. I don't know if Finney ever recieved any award for this perfomance, but I do know John Paul II will go down in history not only as a great pope, but as an example of what being human means! You don't have to be a Catholic to apreciate this, nor to watch the movie!
Forgot I was watching Albert Finny, he became Karol Wojtyla
I really forgot I was watching an actor, both young Karol and the man Karol, the acting was so well done by all. Patrick Stewart as an antagonist was superb. One can not help but feel the emotions that Karol felt as his character is formed by the experiences of his life, from the loss of his mother at an early age and his father as a young man, the ocupation by the Germans, the plight of the Jewish families that led him to risk his life for them. Also his meeting with a mentor who intoduces him to St. John of the Cross, he became a Secular Carmelite as a result and the Carmelite St. John of the Cross was to influence his life right up to the present day. It was his dealings with the Communists, as Bishop of Cracow, that gave such hope to the Polish people. An example was at Nowa Huta. This is the story of a man who was formed by the experiences of his life which brought him to the understanding of the true meaning of love. Not the passive kind, but the love that acts to restore the dignity of the human being. It shows his ability to be empathic with the suffering of everyone. It reveals his capacity to understand all sides and to mediate well, which is part of what got him elected to the highest position in the church. It also shows his astute mind and strong-willed commiment to his principles in dealings with the Communists and others. Keep your kleenex handy, you will feel this story very deeply.
... Read more | 
