The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968)
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50% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(1,095 ratings)
A Pope contends with the prospects of nuclear world destruction in this Cold-War saga of religious faith and international politics. (Anthony Quinn) plays a Russian priest who has spent 20 years in a Siberian labor camp. When Russian and Chinese relations deteriorate, Russian Premier Kamenev… More A Pope contends with the prospects of nuclear world destruction in this Cold-War saga of religious faith and international politics. (Anthony Quinn) plays a Russian priest who has spent 20 years in a Siberian labor camp. When Russian and Chinese relations deteriorate, Russian Premier Kamenev (Laurence Olivier) releases him and he is made a cardinal. Kamenev wishes to have a representative at the Vatican in Rome for future political situations. When the Pope (John Gielgud) dies, a series of events makes the Russian priest the first Pope from a communist country. Taking the name of the saint who spread the gospel to Russia, he becomes Pope Kiril Lakota. He often leaves the Vatican in disguise to mingle with the people to remain in touch with the poor and the needy. When millions of Chinese face starvation, the Pope offers to sell the riches of the church on order to feed the hungry, and he asks that all wealthy countries do the same. David Janssen is the television reporter stationed in Rome whose wife (Barbara Jefford) receives counseling from Kiril, unaware he is the Pope. In a symbolic gesture, Kiril offers his crown as a down payment in an attempt to bring world peace and end the starving of millions. Although a fine drama with a competent international cast, the movie failed at the box office to recoup the 9-million-dollar production costs. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- G, 2 hr. 40 min.
- Directed By
- Michael Anderson
- Written By
- John Patrick, James Kennaway
- Genres
- Drama, Faith & Spirituality, Classics, Special Interest
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1968 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 4, 2006
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Critics have comically dubbed it Zorba the Pope.
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Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Settle back and let this old fashioned but entirely enjoyable epic (from Aussie writer Morris West's novel) take you on a journey that is in many ways every bit as relevant today as it was then
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Part of Warner's series of spiritual movies about faith, main bonus is the feature The Miracle of Our Lady Fatima; the other two movies in the collection, especially Zinnemann's The Nun's Story, are better.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
All-star cast, headed by Anthony Quinn, Olivier and Gielgud, can't help Anderson's poor transfern of Morris West's bestseller, an international political thriller about a Russian survivor of the gulag who becomes pope; best thing is Alex North's score.
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Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
A curious, at times almost prescient anticipation of the reign of John Paul II, filtered partly through the lens of the Silly Sixties.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
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Cast
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Anthony Quinnas Pope Kiril Lakota -
Laurence Olivieras Premier Kamenev -
Oskar Werneras Father David Telemond
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David Janssenas George Faber -
Vittorio De Sicaas Cardinal Rinaldi -
Leo McKernas Cardinal Leone
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