MOVIES: "For Greater Glory"

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YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!

I just checked the web page of my favorite indie film theater and saw that it is now here in town! I will definitely be going to see it this weekend! There was no clue that it was coming here. It certainly wasn’t in their list of films to expect, and there wasn’t anything on the wall when I dropped my daughter off for the midnight showing of “Rock of Ages”. It’s like an opening suddenly appeared, they needed to fill it, and it was available. I noticed that it’s their banner film on their site, so they must have been getting other people than just myself asking about it.

Wow!
 
I’ll watch OF GOD’S and Men. Apparently, you can bring it up on your computer. The other two were made in the 50s. Besides THE PASSION OF CHRIST, we haven’t had any religious movies. Yes, telling the characters apart was difficult. But it sure held our attention and no one moved until the credits were finished. At least it wasn’t the garbage we’ve sometimes spent our $ on…and walked out…happy to say.
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The movie is not Garbage but it really didn’t hold my attention. I didn’t want to see the film again after watching it. A consider a film really good and worthwhile if I want to watch it again afterwards. This is not one of those types of films. Again i don’t think it is a bad film just not a great one. When a good relgious film comes out I will encourage people to see it. I will not encourage people to see a film just becasue it is relgious. Quite a few secular films often have relgious ideas hidden in the story or are rich enough in story to draw out relgious ideas. Folks like Fr. Robert Barron have the unique ablity to draw those moments out.

And thanks to the internet and sites such as ‘Decent Films’ USCCB’, Plugged In Online , Common Sense Media, Christianity Today Movies, Roger Ebert, and Screen It, Just to name a few, there is no reason why a person ever has to spend time or money on a film that is morrally (or artistically bad).
 
fom4life said:
I think the reason the film has such a low rating on Rotten Tomatoes is due to the quality of the filmmaking and not necessarily the message of the film. A film is not good just because it has a message that is important and has a great Catholic theme. I think that the message of the film is an important one for today but i was not impressed by the film due to the quality of the script. I am probably one of the few dissenting voices of Catholics who do not really like this film but I didn’t think there was anything extraordinary about the it. It reminded me of Braveheart. Freedom being oppressed by the ruling class. More historically accurate but less entertaining to watch as a film. Both have inspirational speeches given by the main character. I was often confused as to why certain characters were doing certain things (and could not tell certain characters apart) and didn’t think the transformation of certain characters (Andy Garcia) stood out in anyway. He seemed the same character throughout the picture. I would never discourage anyone from seeing the film but I wouldn’t encourage anyone to see it either despite some scenes that were inspirational (the martyrdom of the young boy).

My opinion (which I am entitled to before I start being branded as a heretic) is that it is a mediocre made film. 'Of God’s and Men is a much better film as well as some other Hollywood classics such as ‘In the Inn of the Sixth Happiness’ and ‘Keys to the Kingdom’ that touch on religious themes.
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Of course you are entitled to your opinion. That’s what makes the world go 'round.

I had not heard of “Of Gods and Men” until you mentioned it, and will seek that out. The others are classics and I enjoyed them years ago. I think this speaks in some way as to why this movie struck a chord for so many here: not many compelling recent movies in this “category” compared to the more typical Hollywood stuff (some of which is good, but a lot of which is just lacking, in my opinion).
 
fastenatingguy said:
Of course you are entitled to your opinion. That’s what makes the world go 'round.

I had not heard of “Of Gods and Men” until you mentioned it, and will seek that out. The others are classics and I enjoyed them years ago. I think this speaks in some way as to why this movie struck a chord for so many here: not many compelling recent movies in this “category” compared to the more typical Hollywood stuff (some of which is good, but a lot of which is just lacking, in my opinion).
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I would actually go as far to say I enjoyed ‘Couragous’ and ‘Fireproof’. A little preachy but overall enjoyable. There are not many true GOOD Strickly Christian films being made. Passion of the Christ being the chief example of a great film.

‘For Greater Glory’ I believe will probably mostly appeal to Catholics. If a good compelling Christian film is to be made it must be of such a quality that non-Christians will want to see it because it tells a compelling story. ‘For Great Glory’ may have a compelling story but is not a compelling film especially to those who do not share the faith. ‘Of God’s and Men’ is an example of a quality film that can appeal outside of relgious circles. A lot of the really good relgious films belong mostly to the golden days of Hollywood. Although in recent time Fr. Barron’s non-fiction series Catholicism is a good standard of film making that those trying to bring the messege of Christ should strive for. LOTR is a distinct Catholic work that was made into a very good motion picture. So it can be done.
 
They didn’t bring it to my city. Arghhh :mad: I so wanted to watch. I guess I’ll just have to wait till it comes out on DVD. 😦
 
aicirt said:
I’ll watch OF GOD’S and Men. Apparently, you can bring it up on your computer. The other two were made in the 50s. Besides THE PASSION OF CHRIST, we haven’t had any religious movies. Yes, telling the characters apart was difficult. But it sure held our attention and no one moved until the credits were finished. At least it wasn’t the garbage we’ve sometimes spent our $ on…and walked out…happy to say.
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I just saw “There Be Dragons” on DVD and that was an excellent movie. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend. It’s about the life of St. Josemaria Escriva and is a high quality movie. I missed when it was in the cinema but am glad I watched on DVD.
It’s very heartening to view movies from a Catholic perspective instead of always hearing Hollywood’s botched version of what we believe and how we live.
 
Hey everyone!!!

I have a question.

I am 16 years old and discerning a vocation to the Priesthood/Religious Life. Anyway, ive heard that For Greater Glory is an awesome movie. Heres the catch however, i cant stand movies with injustice. For example, i start to shake with anger and probably hatred (not a good thing) when i see Schindlers List, i being to doubt my Faith etc., i have a really soft heart, and injustices like this get my bloos pressure through the roof and beyond, in anger. Now, surprisngly, Passion of the CHRIST, doesnt make me angry, it makes me break down, and start to cry sometimes, even watching the clips, im floored by what my sins did. Then, i feel like a jerk:( :bighanky::imsorry:. I am a “big softy” as you would call me when it comes to issues like this. How would i handle this movie? for those of you having seen it, how can ur stomach handle that injustice. Mine cant. Should i just stay away? (although it would be a huge shame, as i want to see it). I love westerns, (im a hick at heart, and i love John Wayne, no clint eastwood) but this one seems just too, harsh.
 
If you can handle the Passion, you can handle For Greater Glory…there are some terrible moments of injustice which the movie portrays, most awful of which were the scenes of persecution during Mass and the killing of Priests. There was also a horrible mistake which a Cristero made that really disturbed me. It’s not an essential movie to watch (no movie really is), but I found myself inspired by the portrayals of the real sacrifices made by those fighting for religious freedom. Very timely message for America.
 
mymamamary said:
Hey everyone!!!

I have a question.

I am 16 years old and discerning a vocation to the Priesthood/Religious Life. Anyway, ive heard that For Greater Glory is an awesome movie. Heres the catch however, i cant stand movies with injustice. For example, i start to shake with anger and probably hatred (not a good thing) when i see Schindlers List, i being to doubt my Faith etc., i have a really soft heart, and injustices like this get my bloos pressure through the roof and beyond, in anger. Now, surprisngly, Passion of the CHRIST, doesnt make me angry, it makes me break down, and start to cry sometimes, even watching the clips, im floored by what my sins did. Then, i feel like a jerk:( :bighanky::imsorry:. I am a “big softy” as you would call me when it comes to issues like this. How would i handle this movie? for those of you having seen it, how can ur stomach handle that injustice. Mine cant. Should i just stay away? (although it would be a huge shame, as i want to see it). I love westerns, (im a hick at heart, and i love John Wayne, no clint eastwood) but this one seems just too, harsh.
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Simple answer, GO SEE IT!!!
 
Just saw For Greater Glory. Was much better than the reviews suggested and what I expected. Knew it was about the Cristiada but wasn’t aware these heroes were sainted. I think the hardest part for me was realizing I knew nothing about this period of history, not only from Mexico but our church.

We were lucky to get into the showing as two parishes from neighboring communities had arranged a presale of the tickets for the showing. It was reassuring to see an absolute packed theatre for this show. A diverse audience was in attendance.

Just makes one think about how easily freedom is slowly taken away, one nip at a time. A little bit here, no one notices. A little bit there, might raise eyebrows but still not credible. And then a bigger bite, the one which pits one side against the other. And while that argument is going on, the final bites are taken until there is nothing left to argue about.
 
See it. If you’re considering the priesthood you should continue to watch the stories of the saints. The injustice has always been here and will remain with us. Jesus taught us to endure for the greater glory, with love and forgiveness. As a priest you will need to learn how to observe these stories from his eyes, not yours. Perhaps watch the same films over again, and again, praying after each time to relinquish the anger and replace it with love. Bring tissues to the Greater Glory, though.
 
Your parish arranged a presale. Excellent. I would not have known about the movie except for EWTN.

Now this project was underway for at least a couple of years before it was released. Why not cover it and others like it in the church bulletins? Consider too that this movie was funded in part by the KofC.

People need to be educated re. Catholicism and the freedom of religion. We’re not using the resources available to us.
 
A Catholic church in Illinois managed to arrange for a special one night showing of this film in a local theater!
Woodstock, IL – Woodstock’s St Mary’s Catholic Parish is celebrating a week of religious freedom beginning June 26th through July 4th, and in doing so they are presenting the film “For Greater Glory” (rated-R), a chronicle of the Cristero War. This special screening is slated for Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 7PM, at the Woodstock Theatre, 209 Main Street. There will be a brief introduction of the film by a member of the parish whose ancestor fought in the Cristero War. All are encouraged to participate in a Q&A discussion following the film at a nearby local venue. Movie admission will be $6.50 per person. Tickets are available online at www.classiccinemas.com or at the theatre box office.
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triblocal.com/woodstock/calendar/2012/06/26/st-mary%E2%80%99s-catholic-parish-presents-%E2%80%9Cfor-greater-glory%E2%80%9D/

I guess someone in the parish was on the ball. 🙂

I wonder if it is too late for other parishes to make similar arrangements?

Edit:

It is now down to playing in 160 theaters in the US. Its widest release was 757 theaters.
boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=forgreaterglory.htm
 
There are a lot of people in the Rockford Diocese with something on the ball. I miss being in it.,
 
The parishes would do well to have it has a fund raiser at a local theater and bring it back. It was here for a short time with showings at 3 PM and 9:30PM. What senior is going out at 9:30PM, what family will take their kids out at 9:30PM. Put it earlier.

It could be an excellent fund raiser. If it were not for EWTN, I would not have known about it.

Church bulletins need to be utilized better.
 
I just saw the movie For Greater Glory and it was… amazing, powerful… but also incredibly sad. Blessed Jose’s voice screaming Viva Cristo Rey will haunt me for the rest of my life. Next to the Passion of the Christ, it is the saddest movie I have ever seen. Some of the scenes were disturbing to me, more so because they are accurate.

There is a book you could read about it if you don’t go. I however, am glad that I saw it because I don’t ever want to forget the price that is paid for freedom. The lives of saints like these are just soo inspiring. I know that if I just read the book, it wouldn’t be the same. It seems more real when you see it (though I must admit I did close my eyes at one point) and harder to forget. And I think it is imperitive that we never forget.

I wept throughout the entire movie, so if you’re like me, and it sounds like you are, you’ll want to bring lots of tissues. Pray about it. Maybe ask for Blessed Jose’s intercession so that you handle the injustice in this movie in a way that glorifies God.

Please let us know what you decide. 🙂
 
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