The real John Paul II was a very specific, inimitable man, and it is therefore not easy to try to make a film treatment of his personality. This film quite successfully captures the complex life of John Paul II and captures his creativity and wit quite well.

The film depicts Charles’ relationship with his father, theatre friends and other people. The war begins, and among the friends, one can trace the varied attitudes towards standing up to the Nazis. Karol also experiences a struggle and indecision within himself about how to behave and make the right decisions in these difficult times.

He experiences the killing, persecution and arrest of several friends who chose not to submit to the Nazis. Charles decides to become a priest in these troubled times. In this way he also wants to contribute to the fight against evil.

After the defeat of the Germans, communism comes to Poland and with it new repressions. Karol begins to work as a priest and tries to be especially active with the youth. Later he is chosen as a bishop, attends the Second Vatican Council and, despite all his duties, does not forget his friends.

A powerful moment is Karol’s intercession for prayer with Padre Pio for his terminally ill friend, who miraculously recovers after this intercession.

Charles is elected Pope and his tenure as head of the Catholic Church follows. The plot moves through a series of events and visits to many countries, from strikes in his native Poland, to the fall of communism, to the war in Kuwait, etc.

Parents Guide: 1x scene with shooting a man.

Cast: Jon Voight, Cary Elwes, Ben Gazzara, Christopher Lee, Vittoria Belvedere, James Cromwell, Valeria Cavalli, Giulio Base, Ettore Bassi, Maciej Marczewski, Tadeusz Bradecki

Crew: John Kent Harrison

Italy / Poland / USA, 2005

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