GetPapa Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

phd_travel This TV movie is based on the true story of an Irish priest who while in the Vatican, helped Allied soldiers and Jewish people to hide and to safety in German occupied Rome. The story is exciting and stranger than fiction in parts as only a true story can be with disguises and assassination attempts. This is a fascinating non battle aspect of WWII showing the help the Vatican provided while trying to maintain neutrality.Gregory Peck adds a charm and presence to the role so you overlook he is a little old for the main character. Christopher Plummer who can act anything looks the part as the Nazi in charge. He has some cringe worthy bad dialog to deliver. John Gielgud is dignified as Pope Pius XII.The production is good with on location shooting and grand settings.This TV movie deserves to be as famous as a major motion picture WWII movie.

jlthornb51 Director Jerry London brought together some great actors, a fine script, and true life events to create an exceptional television film Based on the efforts of a Irish priest to smuggle Allied prisoners through the Vatican and under the noses of the Nazis, this is a very suspenseful and dramatic story. Gregory Peck as the priest and Chistopher Plummer as the Nazi commander are truly superb and the cat and mouse game they act out is mesmerizing. Intense, moving, and sometimes brilliant, The Scarlet and the Black is one of the more intelligent television movies of the era and one that holds up well to this day.

screenman This movie is long. It runs for some 2hrs 15mins. That's more than enough time to flesh-out a good story.At the outset it is pretty slow, almost tongue-in-cheek at times. But very gradually tension is ratcheted-up as the cat-and-mouse stand-off between the conniving cleric, Hugh O'Flaherty, and gestapo officer Kappler, comes into direct conflict. The - at first - superficial characters become increasingly three-dimensional and interesting as the plot deepens.By the time the movie is over, a genuine emotional experience has been offered.An ageing Gregory Peck still gives an excellent turn as the obdurate priest, whilst Christopher Plummer succumbs manfully to the charms of Nazi ideology that he sung his way into oblivion from in 'The Sound Of Music'. John Guilgud is unflinching as Pope Pius VII.There's great location-work amongst the fine old architecture of Rome, though I think more could have been done to emphasise the transience of individual pride and ambition measured against the ancient structures. I also think that the mechanics of Catholicism and The Vatican power structure could have been better explained for the benefit of non-Catholic audiences. There were moments when the editing seemed heavy-handed and slightly chopped. Script was adequate, but nothing special. Otherwise technical elements were up to snuff.If there is one matter I do take issue with it is the theme and incidental music. Many great (and not so great) movies have instantly recognisable tracks. 'The Dam Busters', 'ET', 'Get Carter', '633 Squadron', 'The Taking Of Pelham 123', 'Star wars' and so on. Just a few cords and you're there. And with no less than Ennio Morricone listed amongst the credits we should have been in for something really special. Just listen to the scores behind 'Once Upon A Time In The West', 'Fistful Of Dynamite', 'The Thing' or his magnum opus 'The Mission'. Morricone is a man who can write music for a fleeting few seconds or to literally encompass the big picture. But he fell down completely flat here. There were so many elements to play for, too: the Wagnerian bombast of Nazism, the subtle meditations of religion, quite apart from suspense, heroism and fear. Instead, what we were offered was a crass, shallow piece of martial tempo that might have been penned while its composer was having a tea-break. It failed to capture anything of the elements described and for me actually detracted from the viewing experience. One of the stars I've deducted was for this reason. The right music would have made this good movie great.Otherwise it's a long though still worthy watch.

ozthegreatat42330 Based on a true story set during World War II in Rome, this made for television movie stars Gregory Peck in yet another fine role,(as if he could ever do a bad one.)The supporting cast is also amazing with fine performances from Christopher Plummer and Sir John Gielgud, with Raf Valone, Vernon Dobchef and Walter Gotell among others. It is a fast paced history/war/drama/thriller in the mold of such films as "The Third Man," and "The Thirty Nine Steps." The frenetic musical score of Ennio Morricone (The Good, The Bad and The Ugly) helps to keep the pace on the edge of you seat. This is simply some fine film making at its very best, and I highly recommend it, if you have not already had a chance to see it. Just a beautiful film.