Product Description

Screen chronicle based on actual 1917 events outside Fatima, Portugal, where three shepherd children report visions of the Virgin Mary and confront anticlerical government oppression in the process.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14026 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2006-04-04
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 102 minutes

Features

• Screen chronicle based on actual 1917 events outside Fatima, Portugal, where three shepherd children report visions of the Virgin Mary and confront anticlerical government oppression in the process.Running Time: 102 min. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR Age: 012569756922 UPC: 012569756922 Manufacturer No: 75692

Amazon.com
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima tells the story--through an admittedly Hollywood prism--of one of the most beloved Catholic legends of the 20th century. Three young shepherd children in the remote Portuguese mountain town Fatima reported seeing a vision in 1917 of "a beautiful lady" who spoke to them of strife, war and peace and the love of Jesus. Soon the word spread, and throngs, teetering on mobs, gathered near the site for a glimpse of what they believed to be Mary, mother of Jesus. The children remained steadfast in their account, despite threats from the church and the government, and the final appearance of the lady, on Oct. 13, 1917, was accompanied by strange apparitions in the sky that have yet to be explained by science. The movie is well-made and -acted, especially by a radiant Susan Whitney, who plays the oldest child, Lúcia Abóbora dos Santos. The screenplay takes some liberties with the facts: the lovable jokester-sidekick character of Hugo is fictitious, and one wonders if perhaps a few of Our Lady's cautions about the multitude of evil things happening in 1917 Russia might have been heard through a Cold War filter. But the 1952 film is moving and is a reminder that big studios once routinely, and profitably, released religious-themed movies, to audiences who surely would appreciate some of the same today. --A.T. Hurley

Customer Reviews

Still to be considered after all these years
Through the search engine of Amazon.com, I was able to acquire The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima, and to see it again after about 50 years. The story is well paced and puts credibility on the events that transpired. I am not sure how much artistic liberty was taken with the happenings that can be objectively verified. But the basic story is there, minus the third secret that finally was publicly announced in the year 2000.

There were six visitations on the 13th of six consecutive months. It was not clear in the film whether the children actually made it to the fourth one in time, and the fifth one was eliminated entirely.

This film is food for thought for those who are wrestling with the idea of what to believe. As one reviewer said, the ordinary people would not have known about the threat from Russia, as Lenin and the Bolsheviks were coming into power. And then, how did the children know ahead of time that Francisco and Jacinta would die young, and that Lucia would live on--into her nineties and, I believe, still alive as I write these words?

I did read an account somewhere that even observers who continued to disbelieve had to admit that there was a "miracle of the sun." Can meteorologists give us a good explanation of the phenomenon that could have occurred?
This film can reinforce the devout believers, debunk those who are totally skeptical, and continue to challenge the rest of us as we try to figure out what really happened. Hope this becomes more widely available soon, possibly on DVD with commentary.

It was a miracle
Not that it will matter to those already pre-disposed to deny the possibility, but it might interest all others to know that my 93 year old mother was six years old and forty miles away from Fatima the day the sun danced in the heavens. She has a clear and unambiguous recollection of the impact this event had upon her surroundings. The same was true of my grandparents who spoke of Fatima with reverence and awe until their deaths a half century ago. These were simple and honest people with a firm grip on reality. They did not experience some kind of mass hallucination nor were they victims of trickery on a grand scale. They had no reason to lie or deceive.

As for the movie, it suffers from the usual limitations of Hollywood story telling. Ironically, what actually took place at Fatima was much more compelling than this sanitized version with its frequent embellishments and mythical characters served up by the screenplay's authors. The costumes, set designs and dreadful attempts to speak Portuguese suggest colonial life in northern Mexico rather than central Portugal in the early decades of the twentieth century. Still, the basic outline of events is faithfully recounted, including the terrific pressure brought to bear upon the children to recant their story and the near fanatical attempts of local politicians (mainly Socialists and atheists) to discredit them.

Perhaps some day a better movie will be made. Until then, this effort to tell the story of Fatima, flawed as it is, will have to do. Hard as it may be for many to accept, the story is true.

BEAUTIFUL MOVIE
This is a story that never grows old. The film is beautifully photographed...although in bad need of dialogue looping.....but the excellence of the rest of the production more than makes up for this minor flaw....which is only noticeable in a few scenes.

The miracle is photographed brilliantly and never there are several scenes never to be forgotten...along with a brilliant score by Max Steiner.

Susan Whitney as Lucia is a bit old for her character but, nonetheless convincing and sincere.

Sherry Jackson as Jacinta is perfect casting. She is so loveable and delightful.

But the real casting coup is Sammy Ogg as Francisco. This child actor brings Francisco to life and is the best of the three children as far as performances!! He brings a vitality and spirit that was the essence of the real Francisco. No one could have done it better!!!

This is a beautiful movie...and if I would change one thing...I would make it longer than the 100 or so minutes that it runs.

Again.....this movie is not to be missed! And have a box of tissues handy as well....if your spirit is right!!