Why did they give this the blockbuster treatment? I get that it was a bestseller, but surely in the late 60s MGM must have given pause as to whether a story of the Vatican set in the near-future deserved to be road-showed. At its heart this is a film about a bunch of character actors talking in rooms. It doesn't require spectacular locations or stars.
For instance, was there really a point for the opening sequence of a Siberian mining camp where we meet priest Anthony Quinn? Sure it looks cool but the film could've started with him arriving from prison. Actually the story doesn't really start until 50 minutes in when the Pope dies.
Not that it's much of a story: Quinn becomes Pope, gets asked to mediate between Communist Russia (in the form of Laurence Olivier) and Red China (in the form of Bert Kwouk). Quinn solves the problem by promising to give away all the Church's money. The end. There's a subplot about a priest mate of Quinn's, Oskar Werner, having controversial beliefs.
Opportunities for drama are missed wholesale. Quinn as a priest in a Siberian prison might have made an interesting story - but the movie starts with him getting out. Quinn as a Pope giving away all the Church's money (Mr Deeds Goes to the Vatican) could've been interesting (what would cardinals do, etc) - but the movie ends with that. Quinn as a Pope fighting dark forces in the Vatican could've been interesting - kind of hinted at by Leo McKern's political seeming cardinal - but it isn't really developed. Quinn having a friendship with a troublesome priest Oskar Werner could've been interesting - but I didn't get what the beliefs were, and there's no consequences because Werner dies of a convenient hemorrhage. Quinn as pope ducking out to meet ordinary people could've been interesting (Henry V, Roman Holiday) but he just meets one lady, gives her a homily and that's it.
There's an awful subplot about the marriage troubles of TV journalist (David Janssen, giving basically the same performance he did in The Green Berets), complete with a visit to a "fast" party with dancing extras and sixties music.
The inside-the-Vatican stuff was interesting to a non-Catholic - what happens when a Pope dies, the procedure when a priest is under attack for his teachings (Oskar Werner). Some of the visuals are striking - the final Papal procession, the voting cardinals.
I liked the cast. There's no compromises, really - Quinn is ideal as the cardinal, John Gielgud is an effective pope, Werner was excellent, Olivier can do this stuff in his sleep, McKern is an imposing cardinal who deserved a better film. The women are weaker but they have terrible characters to play.
The sheer fact this film exists is fascinating - a multi million dollar look at Vatican politics. I just wish it had been better.
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