With Christmas coming up, here are a few suggestions for movies on DVD about the lives of some popular saints.
I will list these here by the saints name, followed by the movie title and a short description of the film. You can click the films image which will take you to Ignatius Press if you'd like to buy the DVD for your own collection or to give as a gift.
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Saint Thomas More
Special Edition This is the acclaimed Academy Award winning drama about the conflict between St.Thomas More and King Henry VIII which is filled with intrigue and courage. Robert Shaw stars as Henry, who wants to divorce his wife in order to marry Anne Boleyn. Only Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor in this film) has the courage and conviction to oppose the King's will.
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Saint Maximilian Kolbe
"Maximilian: Saint of Auschwitz"
Highly acclaimed actor Leonardo Defilippis gives a stunning performance in this one-man drama of the heroic life and death of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the martyr of charity at Auschwitz.
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Saint Rita of Cascia
"Saint Rita"
Famous as the patron of hopeless situations, St. Rita of Cascia is immortalized in this wonderful, deeply moving film about this beautiful woman who lived in Italy in the 14th century.
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Saint Francis of Assisi
Filmed on location in Assisi and other actual locations where St. Francis lived and died, this feature film vividly tells the story of this greatly beloved saint from childhood through his death. Beautifully filmed with outstanding cinematography and fine acting talent, this film stars Italian actor Raoul Bova as Francis and was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michele Soavi.
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"Saint Anthony"
This is the first major feature length drama on the life of St. Anthony of Padua, the beloved miracle worker and one of the most popular saints in Christian history. Made in Italy with top-notch acting talent, and superb cinematography, this is an outstanding film on the amazing life of St. Anthony.
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"Saint Therese of the Child Jesus"
This definitive film, made in honor of the 100th anniversary of her death (1897), tells the story of the life of St. Therese of Lisieux from childhood to her holy death as a Carmelite nun. Filmed on location in France it gives her whole story through interviews, dramatizations, examination of her writings and extensive visits to her home and inside the Carmel at Lisieux.
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"Saint Peter"
Legendary actor Omar Sharif gives a deeply moving, authentic portrayal in this epic film about St. Peter, the leader of the Apostles and first Pope, filmed on location in Europe.
