Fascinating Glimpse At Papal Succession

With the recent passing of Pope John Paul II--and the subsequent Conclave of Cardinals to select his successor--this film came to mind. Although it was years since I've seen THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN, I was able to view it recently, and the pageantry, tradition, and ritual of the Conclave overwhelmed and impressed me once again.

Anthony Quinn gives a remarkable performance as Father Kiril Lakota, a Russian political prisoner freed by the Kremlin and dispatched to the Vatican, where he becomes a Cardinal. Quinn's Kiril is soft-spoken and humble, yet all his years of suffering in Siberia have convinced him the Church must champion human rights--even if blood is shed for that very cause. His subtle teachings impress his fellow Cardinals, and, when the current Pope dies, after several insufficient votes during the Conclave, Kiril becomes a darkhorse candidate and is eventually selected--despite his vigorous protestations. Thus concludes the first half of this film, which was fascinating.

The second half of the movie deals with Pope Kiril's coronation and infant papacy; here, unfortunately, the film becomes a bit too farfetched. (Example: On the evening of his selection as Pope, Kiril sneaks out of the Vatican and wanders the streets of Rome. Another example: Kiril's brokerage of a "deal" between Russia and China to avoid a nuclear war.) The Cold War was certainly topical when this film was made in 1968, yet now much of the plot of the second half comes across as contrived and banal--especially Pope Kiril's speech at St. Peter's Square on the day of his coronation.

Despite these flaws, THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN is grand drama and allows the viewer access to the Vatican behind closed doors. The cast has considerable star power, including Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir John Gielgud. Oskar Werner provides an interesting subplot in his portrayal as Father David Telemond, a Vatican scholar under fire for his unorthodox beliefs. The debate and dialogue between this character and his Vatican counterparts pertaining to a cosmological Supreme Being is absolutely riveting. This film is definitely worth a look for those interested in ecclesiastical study.
--D. Mikels

Shoes of the Fisherman - Relevance in 2005

This is the finest film depicting the papacy including the pageantry, tradition and politics of a papal election. The cast and performances are outstanding. Especially in light of recent events (including the election of a new pope), it is astounding that this 1968 film is still not issued on DVD.

Deserving of a heavenly rating

This 1968 movie was based on the book, The Shoes of the Fisherman, by Morris West, and stars Anthony Quinn. I saw the movie first, then read the book, which helped me understand the book, although they are quite different (Hollywood, you understand). The movie does a superb job of helping the lay person, and non-Catholics, understand the process of electing a new Pope. Quinn is excellent as Kiril Lakota, a Russian eventually elected to the Papacy after the current Pope dies (circa 1963, the time of John XXIII's death).

Lakota is imprisoned in Siberia for 20 years (17 in the book) and tormented by his jailer, Kamenev. Kamenev, who later becomes the head of the Soviet state, eventually frees Kiril Lakota. Lakota goes to Rome where finds he's been made a Cardinal. He takes his place at the Vatican among his peers. Sometime thereafter, the Pope dies and Lakota, the dark horse, is elected to the Papacy.

The viewer not only learns much about the process of electing a new Pope, but has the opportunity to see inside the physical structure of the Vatican. It is breathtakingly beautiful. There is real footage, including scenes of the crowds in St. Peter's Square awaiting word, the black/white smoke being released from the conclave after a vote, the processional after the election of Pope Kiril, among others. The viewer is privy to the internal conflicts that plague some of the Cardinals, including major characters Cardinal Leone and Cardinal Rinaldi. Each is aware that his shortcomings make him an unlikely papal candidate.

Thrown into the mix is a subplot surrounding unfaithful newsman George Faber, his wife, his mistress, and his job. Then there's the desperate world hunger situation with which the new Pope must contend. With his past, Pope Kiril is in a unique position to influence a solution before disaster strikes. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Pope Kiril disguises himself as a priest and sneaks out of his lonely quarters to walk the streets of Rome to see how his people live. He ends up visiting a dying man.... Well, you'll just have to see it for yourself!

One character to watch closely in this movie is theologian, Father David Télémond (First name is Jean in the book), played by Oskar Werner. His performance is definitely of Oscar quality (no pun intended), and there are those who will feel they know who, in real life, Werner is actually portraying. In Télémond's intense internal struggle to justify God to man, he writes. His writings, often in conflict with the views held by his fellow Cardinals and the tenets of Church, relate Télémond's personal and very passionate views about God, Jesus, and the Church, as each relates to the people of the world, and to science. With the threat of being silenced (no more writing!), he is asked to come before a panel of his brethern in an attempt to explain to them what his theories and writings mean to the Church, Catholicism, and the rest of the world.

The movie, of course, takes many liberties, simplifies and leaves out much. However, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words; and the thousand pictures portrayed in this movie go a good distance in helping the viewer better understand some of the complexities of the Catholic Church.

Carolyn Rowe Hill