Main Cast: Anthony Quinn, Laurence Olivier, Oskar Werner, David Janssen, Vittorio De Sica
Release Year: 1968
Country: US
Run Time: 160 minutes
Plot
A Pope contends with the prospects of nuclear world destruction in this Cold-War saga of religious faith and international politics. (Anthony Quinn) plays a Russian priest who has spent 20 years in a Siberian labor camp. When Russian and Chinese relations deteriorate, Russian Premier Kamenev (Laurence Olivier) releases him and he is made a cardinal. Kamenev wishes to have a representative at the Vatican in Rome for future political situations. When the Pope (John Gielgud) dies, a series of events makes the Russian priest the first Pope from a communist country. Taking the name of the saint who spread the gospel to Russia, he becomes Pope Kiril Lakota. He often leaves the Vatican in disguise to mingle with the people to remain in touch with the poor and the needy. When millions of Chinese face starvation, the Pope offers to sell the riches of the church on order to feed the hungry, and he asks that all wealthy countries do the same. David Janssen is the television reporter stationed in Rome whose wife (Barbara Jefford) receives counseling from Kiril, unaware he is the Pope. In a symbolic gesture, Kiril offers his crown as a down payment in an attempt to bring world peace and end the starving of millions. Although a fine drama with a competent international cast, the movie failed at the box office to recoup the 9-million-dollar production costs. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
Review
This 168-minute film displeased critics and suffered at the box office. Perhaps the critics had taken a cue from Morris L. West, the author of the novel that inspired the movie. He withdrew his name as scriptwriter of the film when the production failed to meet his expectations. Clearly, the film has weaknesses, but it also has strengths. One is Anthony Quinn in his portrayal of Kiril Lakota, a Russian elected pope at a time when nuclear war threatens civilization. Quinn invigorates his role with his imposing stage presence and rugged charisma. Hardened by imprisonment and the bite of Russian winters, Quinn's Lakota parries the pressures of Vatican politics while exhibiting doubt and apprehension about the complicated issues of the day. An intriguing subplot centers on Lakota's relationship with Father David Telemond (Oskar Werner) -- apparently, the fictional counterpart of the real-life Teilhard de Jardin, a brilliant Jesuit philosopher and paleontologist -- who seeks a hearing for his controversial theory of evolution. Wonderful scenes exhibiting first-rate acting involve Lakota's encounters with the Russian premier, Piotr Ilyich Kamenev (Sir Laurence Olivier) and the preceding pope Sir John Gielgud. Perhaps the most engaging performance is that of Leo McKern, a rotund cardinal with an encyclopedic mind and a heart that can bleed. The film goes awry, however, when the plot shifts to the outside world -- in particular, to David Janssen portraying a newsman who steps out on his wife Barbara Jefford. The Janssen plot cheapens the film, reducing it to bathos and soap opera. However, the cinematography flaunts Rome at its best, the costumes rustle with clerical splendor, and the music soars. The Shoes of the Fisherman are worth walking in, even if they don't quite fit. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
George W. Davis - Art Director, Edward C. Carfagno - Art Director, Orietta Vasalli-Rocca - Costume Designer, Tony Brandt - First Assistant Director, Michael Anderson - Director, Ernest Walter - Editor, Alex North - Composer (Music Score), Alex North - Musical Direction/Supervision, Amato Garbini - Makeup, Edward C. Carfagno - Production Designer, Erwin Hillier - Cinematographer, George Englund - Producer, Arrigo Breschi - Set Designer, Franklin E. Milton - Sound/Sound Designer, Morris West - Screen Story, James Kennaway - Screenwriter, John Patrick - Screenwriter, Morris West - Book Author
He is sent to Rome, where the elderly fictional Pope Pius XIII (John Gielgud) raises him to the cardinalate in the title of St. Athanasius. Lakota intially declines, but reluctantly accepts the promotion.
When the Pontiff dies, the process of a papal conclave begins, and Cardinal Lakota participates as one of the electors. During the sede vacante, two cardinals in particualar, Cardinal Leone (Leo McKern) and Cardinal Rinaldi (Vittorio De Sica) are shown to be papabile. After seven ballots of deadlock, Lakota finds himself elected Pope as a compromise candidate (suggested by Cardinal Rinaldi) by acclamation after the Cardinals, unable to decide between the leading candidates, interview him and are impressed by his ideas and his humility. Lakota takes the name of Pope Kiril (using his baptismal name). Meanwhile, the world is on the brink of nuclear war due to a Chinese-Soviet feud made worse by a famine caused by trade restrictions brought against China by the United States.
The evening after his election, Pope Kiril, with the help of his personal aide Gelasio (Arnoldo Foà), sneaks out of the Vatican and explores the city of Rome without being recognized. Later, the Pope returns to the Soviet Union to meet privately with Kamenev and Chairman Peng (Burt Kwouk) of China to discuss the ongoing crisis.
A major secondary plot in the novel and the film is the Pope's relationship with a theologian and scientist, Father Telemond (Jean Telemond in the book, David Telemond in the film). The Pope becomes a close personal friend of Telemond (Oskar Werner). To his deep regret, in his official capacity, he must allow the Holy Office to censure Telemond for his heterodox views. To the Pope's deep grief, the shock of the censure, combined with his chronic medical problems, eventually kills Father Telemond, who has been slowly dying all this time from a cerebral aneurysm.
Pope Kiril realizes, however, that if the troubles in China continue, the cost would be a war that could ultimately rip the world apart. Knowing this, he must seek to convince the Western World as well as the Catholic Church to open up its resources to aid. At his papal coronation, Kiril removes his tiara (in a gesture of humility) and states this intent, much to the delight of the crowds in St. Peter's Square below.
Background
Morris West's protagonist Lakota is inspired by the life of Ukrainian Catholic Cardinal Josyf Slipyj. Coincidentally, Slipyj was released by Nikita Khrushchev's administration from a Siberian Gulag in 1963, the year of the novel's publication, after political pressure from Pope John XXIII and United StatesPresidentJohn F. Kennedy. He arrived in Rome in time to participate in the Second Vatican Council. In another coincidence, John XXIII died on 3 June 1963, the day the novel was published.[1]
The film was originally a project of the British director Anthony Asquith but he became ill and was replaced by Michael Anderson (Asquith died in 1968).
Pope John XXIII died on the day the novel was published, June 3, 1963.[1]Pope Paul VI was serving as Pope when the film version was released.
Ten years after the release of the film, on October 16, 1978, a Slavic cardinal from a Marxist-dominated country, Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyła from Poland, was elected as Pope John Paul II.
References
^ ab Tony Stephens, "Last Writes", Sydney Morning Herald, Spectrum, 3 June 2000
