MOVIES: "For Greater Glory"

[RACJ]

Yes, the movie is absolutely worth watching.
That the Cristero War produced canonized saints and blesseds
should be a good lesson to us about the importance of
standing up for religious freedom
and witnessing for Christ.

Amen, Friend! I loved the philosophical play between some of the characters. The biggest problem is that the movie producers SHOULD have sent fliers to pastors of every denomination. Sure, the Federales attacked Catholicism specifically, but I think that any Christian could relate to the point of this film: That secular powers feel threatened by the folks who won’t bow to THEM, and that measures will be taken to crush the faith and freedom of true believers wherever possible. Anyone see evidence of this happening in America today?:ehh:

 

[RACJ]

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.

Me as well. That kid was an amazing actor. The whole movie had the power of God working behind the scenes. :sad_yes: Rob

 

[RobbyS]

I would not dismiss all critics of the film as anti-Catholic. I didn’t think it was that great of a film and I’m a very faithful Catholic. I’m of a minority I know. I believe that a lot of critics did not like the quality of the film making and find it artistically lacking. I found the film lacking in character development and found the overall narritive confusing and did not really think the transformation of the charcters to be very convincing. I did not think it a bad film just not a great one.It reminded me of Braveheart in many aspects. I would like to see the same subjet matter done in a better film. Maybe an inspiring documentry. I don’t endorse the film as one to watch or one to avoid. Take it or leave it. Not sure it will appeal to non-Catholics. A good and important subject matter does not make a great film.

Instead i would recommand ‘Of Gods and Men’ or A Man For All Seasons’ for similar subject matter and much better film making.

Criticism of the production is one thing; getting the history wrong is another. The Calles Government was radically hostile to the Church, and the film got that right. We have the paradox of an American government headed by conservatives who did not let the country know that a quasi-communist government was in power just south of the Border. That the film did not emphasize enough. That might have earned them more favorable reviews from liberal critics.

 

[RACJ]

Criticism of the production is one thing; getting the history wrong is another. The Calles Government was radically hostile to the Church, and the film got that right. We have the paradox of an American government headed by conservatives who did not let the country know that a quasi-communist government was in power just south of the Border. That the film did not emphasize enough. That might have earned them more favorable reviews from liberal critics.

That’s funny. I thought that the fact that the American government was on the wrong side came through loud and clear. Obviously, the Mexican government’s propaganda efforts were tragically successful. You know, Robby, we have the luxury of sitting here with instant communications from all sides. My guess is that the Americans acted on improper information, from the only side with whom they were in communication. We can’t know if history might have been changed if Coolidge had better intelligence. Rob

 

[aicirt]

Amen, Friend! I loved the philosophical play between some of the characters. The biggest problem is that the movie producers SHOULD have sent fliers to pastors of every denomination. Sure, the Federales attacked Catholicism specifically, but I think that any Christian could relate to the point of this film: That secular powers feel threatened by the folks who won’t bow to THEM, and that measures will be taken to crush the faith and freedom of true believers wherever possible. Anyone see evidence of this happening in America today?:ehh:

How many Catholic churches promoted the film in the Sunday bulletins?

Yes, I do see it happening in America today. Interestingly, there were blocks of Catholics in various churches who did not want the pastor to publicize FORTNIGHTreason being they wanted to keep politics separate from the Church. When the politics starts talking about ways to close your Church, you’d better take an interest in what is happening.****

 

[aicirt]

Well, I finally saw it yesterday, and I THOUGHT that Eva Longoria was one of the characters, and I was right. I find it disgraceful that she would appear in a movie depicting the crushing of religious freedom, yet today SHE is a sycophant of a man who has contempt for the Christian faith AND its people, and is doing everything he can to trample religious liberty. YES, I’m talking of Obama. Eva Longoria, you are shameful, and the farthest thing from a woman who stands for the faith. :nope:!!! Rob

I wondered about that too. How does one involve themselves in a film like this and not have an epiphany of sorts? It moved me, how could it not have moved her?

 

[GEddie]

That’s funny. I thought that the fact that the American government was on the wrong side came through loud and clear. Obviously, the Mexican government’s propaganda efforts were tragically successful. You know, Robby, we have the luxury of sitting here with instant communications from all sides. My guess is that the Americans acted on improper information, from the only side with whom they were in communication. We can’t know if history might have been changed if Coolidge had better intelligence. Rob

Lamentably, the US’ ability to gain good intelligence in MX at the time was probably more limited than in the Middle East today, and for comparable reasons.

ICXC NIKA

 

[RobbyS]

That’s funny. I thought that the fact that the American government was on the wrong side came through loud and clear. Obviously, the Mexican government’s propaganda efforts were tragically successful. You know, Robby, we have the luxury of sitting here with instant communications from all sides. My guess is that the Americans acted on improper information, from the only side with whom they were in communication. We can’t know if history might have been changed if Coolidge had better intelligence. Rob

The Government refused to have diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, but they did with a Bolshevik-lite government in Mexico. That because it was, or or less, the puppet of the United States. Wilson had chosen a side and he chose against Zapata and Villa,who were more favorably inclined to the Church. . For many Americans Bolshevism and Catholicism were equally reprehensible. Therefore, a civil war in Mexico between the two was for many WASPs not their fight but they felt more “comfortable” with a “secular” government.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

How many Catholic churches promoted the film in the Sunday bulletins?

Yes, I do see it happening in America today. Interestingly, there were blocks of Catholics in various churches who did not want the pastor to publicize FORTNIGHTreason being they wanted to keep politics separate from the Church. When the politics starts talking about ways to close your Church, you’d better take an interest in what is happening.****

I stop in at parishes throughout Arizona in large and small towns as I travel and frequently heard it recommended.

 

[RobbyS]

That’s funny. I thought that the fact that the American government was on the wrong side came through loud and clear. Obviously, the Mexican government’s propaganda efforts were tragically successful. You know, Robby, we have the luxury of sitting here with instant communications from all sides. My guess is that the Americans acted on improper information, from the only side with whom they were in communication. We can’t know if history might have been changed if Coolidge had better intelligence. Rob

It wasn’t Mexican propoganda that was the cause. Since Wilson the United States had been on the anti-clerical side. The American and anticlerical view was that the Church was on the side of the reactionaries.

 

[Dale_M]

Good news!

The movie will be shown in Latin America

Claudia Nemer Rodriguez of Dos Corazones Films, said the movie will be shown in the countries of Central America and in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia and possibly later in Brazil.

catholicnewsagency.com/news/for-greater-glory-makes-it-to-theaters-in-latin-america/

This is news because previously it was stated that this wider distribution wouldn’t happen without US success. The US box office gross has been disappointing, with only $5.4 million reported through July 12th

The film grossed $4 million in Mexico, for a total worldwide take of $9.4 million. Given its production budget of $12 million, there remains an uphill climb if the film is to break even. I am not sure of the financials of foreign markets, but typically in the US a film needs to gross about 50% more than its production budget in order to break even.

 

[KevinAK]

Dvd news:amazon.com/For-Greater-Glory-Peter-OToole/dp/B008GFZWRW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342928839&sr=8-1&keywords=for+greater+glory+dvd