13 Comments
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Dominic Morlino's avatar

I have tears in my eyes just reading this! I saw it years ago as a kid and don't remember much of it at all. I have to rewatch!

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Samuel Morales's avatar

It's so great! This was a first-time watch for me, actually

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An Observer (Teresa L)'s avatar

I have to see this again. I read the heartrending book as a teen, before I ever got to see the movie. Don't recall too many details anymore, but it isn't really a Catholic film, is it, being set in Wales?

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Samuel Morales's avatar

You are correct, the story does take place in a Welsh Protestant town! Remember that our list is not "100 Catholic Movies Everyone Should See" but "100 Movies Every Catholic Should See", highlighting great works that both are and aren't explicitly Catholic. However, this film was made by a Catholic director- John Ford- and that certainly influences the film, especially in the portrayal of Mr. Gruffydd, who in my opinion behaves more like a Catholic priest than a typical Protestant preacher.

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An Observer (Teresa L)'s avatar

Oh, not questioning why it's on the list at all😊, was just wondering if it was about Catholics or not. Thanks for clarifying, all the same!

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Samuel Morales's avatar

Yea, it definitely threw me for a loop when I first saw it because I always thought this movie took place in Ireland!

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Christopher Wilbur's avatar

Yeah, I thought that too. I still haven't seen this.

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Gerald Coleman's avatar

The novel this film is based upon by Richard Llewellyn is also good, but the sequel or continuations of the novel, nah.

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Gerald Coleman's avatar

Love this film and the Welsh singing.

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An Observer (Teresa L)'s avatar

Apropos of your new list - will you be including "Black Robe" in that as well? Seems an accurate and uber-realistic depiction of the physical and psychological challenges of the Jesuit "black robes" who evangelized in forbidding lands with amazing bravery and wisdom. Again, inclusion of adult scenes, too, which I think necessitates a warning to audiences. Scenes that are critical of the missionary's "strange beliefs" about sex and chastity that the modern mind scoffs at - to the current ruination of society, as we see the racked relationship, family and social landscape today. (Oops, now writing a movie critique already!)

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Samuel Morales's avatar

That's the first I've heard of it! If you are interested on writing on it for us, let us know at 100catholicmovies@gmail.com

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An Observer (Teresa L)'s avatar

Oh, no - that's very kind of you to invite me, but that's a struggle for me to write. Especially if I really like a movie! Thank you, though. Just a suggestion for your list!

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mark's avatar

Check out the moviee Philomena starring Judy Dench, 2013

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