Films about the Roman Catholic Church often delve into the complex history, traditions, and controversies surrounding the church. These films may explore themes of faith, power, corruption, and the human experience within the context of the church's influence.
“The Exorcist”, 1973
Director: William Friedkin
Directed by William Friedkin, this iconic horror film follows the story of a young girl who becomes possessed by a demonic entity, leading to a battle between good and evil. The film features a Catholic priest who is called upon to perform an exorcism, showcasing the church's role in confronting supernatural forces.
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb, Jason Miller, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran, Reverend William O'Malley, Barton Heyman, Peter Masterson, Rudolf Schündler, Gina Petrushka, Robert Symonds, Arthur Storch, Thomas Bermingham, Vasiliki Maliaros, Titos Vandis, John Mahon, Wallace Rooney, Ron Faber, Donna Mitchell, Roy Cooper, Robert Gerringer, Mercedes McCambridge, Paul Bateson, Elinore Blair, Mary Boylan, Dick Callinan, Mason Curry, Toni Darnay, Eileen Dietz, Joanne Dusseau, Bernard Eismann, Beatrice Hunter, Yvonne Jones, Don LaBonte, Barton Lane, Ann Miles, Joan Neuman, John Nicola, Vincent Russell, Gerard F. Yates;
Production year: 1973;
Genre: horror;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Exorcist” on the website imdb.com
“The Mission”, 1986
Director: Roland Joffé
Directed by Roland Joffé, this historical drama depicts the Jesuit missions in South America and the clash between the Jesuit priests and the Portuguese and Spanish colonizers. The film delves into themes of religious conversion, colonialism, and the church's role in the indigenous communities.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Ray McAnally, Aidan Quinn, Cherie Lunghi, Ronald Pickup, Chuck Low, Liam Neeson, Bercelio Moya, Sigifredo Ismare, Asuncion Ontiveros, Alejandrino Moya, Daniel Berrigan, Rolf Gray, Álvaro Guerrero, Tony Lawn, Joe Daly, Carlos Duplat, Rafael Camerano, Monirak Sisowath, Silvestre Chiripua, Luis Carlos Gonzalez, Maria Teresa Ripoll, Alberto Borja, Alain Becerra Calderon, Jacques Des Grottes, Enrique Lamas, Fred Melamed, Antonio Segovia, Harlan Venner;
Production year: 1986;
Genre: drama, adventure, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “The Mission” on the website imdb.com
“Doubt”, 2008
Director: John Patrick Shanley
Directed by John Patrick Shanley, this thought-provoking drama centers around a Catholic school in the Bronx, where a nun suspects a progressive priest of inappropriate behavior with a student. The film explores themes of faith, doubt, and the moral complexities within the Catholic Church.
Starring: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Alice Drummond, Audrie J. Neenan, Susan Blommaert, Carrie Preston, John Costelloe, Lloyd Clay Brown, Joseph Foster, Michael Roukis, Haklar Dezso, Frank Shanley, Robert Ridgell, Sarah Gionvaniello, Katie Shelnitz, Aaron O'Neill, Thomas J. Meehan, Abigail L. Dyer, Samantha Chadbourne, Christina Angelina Celone, Melissa Viezel, Emily Swimmer, Katelyn Snell, Shayne Fischman, Coby D. Moran, Alannah Iacovano, Frank Dolce, Paul Litowsky, Matthew Bradley Marvin, Bridget Megan Clark, Philip Post, Thomas J. Kennedy, Thomas A. Varrone, Sabrina Costa, Samantha Buczek, Gabriella Renne DiMaria, Ariana Silvestro, Michele Ciago, Anna Lonczak, Brandy Panfili, Molly Chiffer, Lydia Jordan, Suzanne Hevner, Helen Stenborg, Tom Toner, Michael Puzzo, Margery Beddow, Jack O'Connell;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Doubt” on the website imdb.com
“The Young Pope”, 2016
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
This TV series created by Paolo Sorrentino follows the fictional story of Lenny Belardo, the first American Pope in history who becomes Pope Pius XIII. The series offers a unique and often controversial portrayal of the inner workings of the Vatican and the papacy.
Starring: Jude Law, Diane Keaton, Silvio Orlando, Javier Cámara, Scott Shepherd, Cécile de France, Ludivine Sagnier, Toni Bertorelli, James Cromwell, Ignazio Oliva, Marcello Romolo, Frank Gingerich, Allison Case, Olivia Macklin, Daniel Vivian, Janet Frances Baines, Armando Pizzuti, Gianluca Guidi, Vladimir Bibic, Ramón García, Jim Adhi Limas, Sara Lazzaro, Edoardo Bussi, Matteo Lai, Sebastian Roché, Maurizio Lombardi, Nadie Kammallaweera, Jacob Desvarieux, Jack McQuaid, Collin Smith, Biagio Forestieri, Tony Plana, Rayna Tharani, Giancarlo Fares, Alessia Giulia Trujillo Alva, Stefano Accorsi, Guy Boyd, Andre Gregory, Kevin Jackson, Franco Pinelli, Jan Hoag, Monica Cetti, Robert Brodie Booth, Francesca Cutolo, Alex Esola, Giuseppe Sanfelice, Kristy Golden, Luke Grakal, Carolina Carlsson, Delaina Hlavin;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama;
Age: 18+;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “The Young Pope” on the website imdb.com
“The Two Popes”, 2019
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Directed by Fernando Meirelles, this biographical drama explores the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who later becomes Pope Francis. The film delves into the theological and personal differences between the two men, offering a glimpse into the internal dynamics of the Catholic Church.
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Juan Minujín, Luis Gnecco, Christina Banegas, María Ucedo, Renato Scarpa, Sidney Cole, Achille Brugnini, Federico Torre, Germán De Silva, Lisandro Fiks, Libero De Rienzo, Willie Jonah, Sofia Cessak, Vincent Riotta, Daphne Mereu, Martina Sammarco, Juan Miguel Arias, Daniel Di Cocco, Joselo Bella, Luis Alfredo Huerga Reyna, Andrés Zurita, Guido Losantos, Nicola Acunzo, Sergio López Santana, Cecilia Dazzi, Maria Florencia Larrea Arias, Hernán Acentares, Abril Chiara Castelli, Luciano Kaczer, Francisco Di Teodoro, Walter Andrade, Natalia Salmoral, Roberto Olivieri, Thomas D. Williams, Cristobal Mamani, Olivia Sandy Torres, Adalid Paredes Blanco, Bonilla Del Valle, Sergio Nicolai, Daniel Hernandez, Luciano Borges, Facundo Cardosi, Federico Falasco, Rafael Fernandez, Ricardo Larrama, León Barra, Juan Manuel Correa, Ramiro Vayo;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: biography, drama, history, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “The Two Popes” on the website imdb.com
These films provide diverse perspectives on the Roman Catholic Church, delving into its history, controversies, and the human experiences within its sphere of influence.
In the realm of cinema, films centered around the Roman Catholic Church have provided viewers with a unique window into the complexities of faith, spirituality, and the human condition. From thought-provoking dramas to gripping historical narratives, these films have not only showcased the rich traditions and rituals of the Church but have also delved into the moral dilemmas faced by its followers. By exploring themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the struggle between faith and doubt, these movies have sparked conversations and challenged viewers to reflect on their own beliefs. Through their powerful storytelling and compelling performances, films about the Roman Catholic Church have left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape, provoking introspection and inspiring a deeper understanding of religion and its place in our lives.
