Pope John Paul II (film)
Encyclopedia
Pope John Paul II is a 2005 television
miniseries dramatizing the life of Pope John Paul II
(Karol Józef Wojtyła) from his early adult years in Poland
to his death on April 2, 2005 at age 84.
The film was written and directed by John Kent Harrison
and aired in the United States
on the CBS
network on December 4, 2005. It was first released in Vatican City
on November 17, 2005 and ten days later throughout Italy
.
Cary Elwes
portrays Karol Wojtyla from the second scene (September, 1939) of the film up to his election to the papacy on October 16, 1978 after the sudden death of Pope John Paul I
, whose pontificate lasted just 33 days. After accepting the nomination of the Cardinalate, Elwes is seen being escorted to be fitted in papal vestments, at which point Academy Award-winner Jon Voight
takes over the role. Voight was nominated for an Emmy Award
for his performance.
Pope John Paul II co-stars James Cromwell
, as Archbishop Adam Stefan Sapieha
, Ben Gazzara
, as Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, and Christopher Lee
as Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. Polish actor Mikolaj Grabowski is twice seen playing Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
of Germany
, who succeeded Pope John Paul II as pope on April 19, 2005
Despite being on his own at a young age and enduring the effects of the Nazi
occupation in Poland
, the philosophical Karol remains optimistic that he can and must make a difference. Along with his university friends, Karol initially embraces the world of theatre, acting in clandestine plays as a means of retaining his Polish culture in spite of the risks involved. In the midst of the chaos surrounding him as ongoing atrocities are suffered by Polish Jews, academics, religious leaders and others, Karol accepts a calling to become a priest
.
Karol's training takes place in an underground seminary run by the Archbishop
Sapieha
, a defiant force for the people of Krakow under the Nazi occupation, who becomes Karol's mentor and involves the young man in the resistance movement.
After being ordained a priest by Sapieha, now a Cardinal, Karol completes his graduate studies in Rome
and returns to Poland, where he is assigned to become a student chaplain at St. Florian's parish in Krakow. The athletic 28-year-old Fr. Karol Wojtyla immediately bonds with the university students who savor his relaxed approach and join him to kayak to his inspiring Masses in the wilderness away from the watchful eyes of the Communist authorities. He was then appointed Professor of Social Ethics at Catholic University of Lublin, Poland
and then when Karol is only 38-years-old, the Holy See appoints him Auxiliary Bishop
of Krakow. Continuing to cultivate faith with the people, despite the restrictions imposed by the Communist leaders, Karol chooses to hold Mass
in an open area in the Communists' new Polish church-free city, Nowa Huta
. Although he repeatedly enrages the Communist authorities, he impresses influential foreign cardinals with his views, his charisma and his knowledge of multiple languages.
At 47, Karol is made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI. On October 16, 1978, following the brief reign of Pope John Paul I and after 455 years of Italian popes, Karol is elected Pope and takes the name John Paul II at the age of 58.
During his extremely active papal years, most of which take place after he survives a 1981 assassination attempt, John Paul II takes part in international negotiations and presses the Soviet rulers
to remove obstacles to freedom of religion
in the countries under their control. He travels across the globe to promote faith, values, peace, forgiveness, and, especially in countries lacking it, freedom of religion. He confronts constitutional anti-clericalism
in Mexico
in January, 1979, asks for forgiveness and brotherhood with the Jewish people and reaches out to the world's Catholic youth.
During John Paul II's first pilgrimage to Poland in June, 1979, he ushers in an era of hope that motivates the Polish people and their Solidarity leadership (formed 1980) to eventually bring a hard-fought end to Communist rule there. This passion ultimately spreads throughout the rest of the East bloc as well.
Despite health obstacles in later years, John Paul II refused to curtail his busy schedule. He continued to challenge and inspire millions of people throughout his lengthy illness and during his last days.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
miniseries dramatizing the life of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
(Karol Józef Wojtyła) from his early adult years in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
to his death on April 2, 2005 at age 84.
The film was written and directed by John Kent Harrison
John Kent Harrison
John Kent Harrison is a television producer, director and writer.Harrison was educated at Columbia University and at Appleby College in Canada....
and aired in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
network on December 4, 2005. It was first released in Vatican City
Vatican City
Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of...
on November 17, 2005 and ten days later throughout Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Cary Elwes
Cary Elwes
Ivan Simon Cary Elwes , known professionally as Cary Elwes, is an English actor. The son of Dominick Elwes and Tessa Georgina Kennedy, Elwes acted in off-Broadway plays during college and moved to the United States in the early 1980s. He is known for his role as Westley in the cult classic The...
portrays Karol Wojtyla from the second scene (September, 1939) of the film up to his election to the papacy on October 16, 1978 after the sudden death of Pope John Paul I
Pope John Paul I
John Paul I , born Albino Luciani, , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and as Sovereign of Vatican City from 26 August 1978 until his death 33 days later. His reign is among the shortest in papal history, resulting in the most recent Year of Three Popes...
, whose pontificate lasted just 33 days. After accepting the nomination of the Cardinalate, Elwes is seen being escorted to be fitted in papal vestments, at which point Academy Award-winner Jon Voight
Jon Voight
Jonathan Vincent "Jon" Voight is an American actor. He has received an Academy Award, out of four nominations, and three Golden Globe Awards, out of nine nominations. Voight is the father of actress Angelina Jolie....
takes over the role. Voight was nominated for an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for his performance.
Pope John Paul II co-stars James Cromwell
James Cromwell
James Oliver Cromwell is an American film and television actor. Some of his more notable roles are in Babe , for which he earned Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, Star Trek: First Contact , L.A...
, as Archbishop Adam Stefan Sapieha
Adam Stefan Sapieha
Prince Adam Stefan Stanisław Bonifacy Józef Sapieha was a Polish cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Kraków. Between 1922–1923 he was a senator of the Second Rzeczpospolita. In 1946, Pope Pius XII created him Cardinal....
, Ben Gazzara
Ben Gazzara
-Early life:Gazzara was born Biagio Anthony Gazzara in New York City, the son of Italian immigrants Angelina and Antonio Gazzara, who was a laborer and carpenter. Gazzara grew up on New York's tough Lower East Side. He actually lived on E. 29th Street and participated in the drama program at...
, as Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, and Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ is an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films...
as Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. Polish actor Mikolaj Grabowski is twice seen playing Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, who succeeded Pope John Paul II as pope on April 19, 2005
Plot
Pope John Paul II, begins with the May 1981 assassination attempt, then flashbacks to the young Karol "Lolek" Wojtyla whose faith and values are initially fostered by his loving, devout parents, who, along with Karol's elder brother, die of natural causes by the time Karol is 20 years old.Despite being on his own at a young age and enduring the effects of the Nazi
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
occupation in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, the philosophical Karol remains optimistic that he can and must make a difference. Along with his university friends, Karol initially embraces the world of theatre, acting in clandestine plays as a means of retaining his Polish culture in spite of the risks involved. In the midst of the chaos surrounding him as ongoing atrocities are suffered by Polish Jews, academics, religious leaders and others, Karol accepts a calling to become a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
.
Karol's training takes place in an underground seminary run by the Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Sapieha
Adam Stefan Sapieha
Prince Adam Stefan Stanisław Bonifacy Józef Sapieha was a Polish cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Kraków. Between 1922–1923 he was a senator of the Second Rzeczpospolita. In 1946, Pope Pius XII created him Cardinal....
, a defiant force for the people of Krakow under the Nazi occupation, who becomes Karol's mentor and involves the young man in the resistance movement.
After being ordained a priest by Sapieha, now a Cardinal, Karol completes his graduate studies in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and returns to Poland, where he is assigned to become a student chaplain at St. Florian's parish in Krakow. The athletic 28-year-old Fr. Karol Wojtyla immediately bonds with the university students who savor his relaxed approach and join him to kayak to his inspiring Masses in the wilderness away from the watchful eyes of the Communist authorities. He was then appointed Professor of Social Ethics at Catholic University of Lublin, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and then when Karol is only 38-years-old, the Holy See appoints him Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Krakow. Continuing to cultivate faith with the people, despite the restrictions imposed by the Communist leaders, Karol chooses to hold Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
in an open area in the Communists' new Polish church-free city, Nowa Huta
Nowa Huta
Nowa Huta - is the easternmost district of Kraków, Poland, . With more than 200,000 inhabitants it is one of the most populous areas of the city.- History :...
. Although he repeatedly enrages the Communist authorities, he impresses influential foreign cardinals with his views, his charisma and his knowledge of multiple languages.
At 47, Karol is made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI. On October 16, 1978, following the brief reign of Pope John Paul I and after 455 years of Italian popes, Karol is elected Pope and takes the name John Paul II at the age of 58.
During his extremely active papal years, most of which take place after he survives a 1981 assassination attempt, John Paul II takes part in international negotiations and presses the Soviet rulers
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
to remove obstacles to freedom of religion
Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
in the countries under their control. He travels across the globe to promote faith, values, peace, forgiveness, and, especially in countries lacking it, freedom of religion. He confronts constitutional anti-clericalism
Anti-clericalism
Anti-clericalism is a historical movement that opposes religious institutional power and influence, real or alleged, in all aspects of public and political life, and the involvement of religion in the everyday life of the citizen...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in January, 1979, asks for forgiveness and brotherhood with the Jewish people and reaches out to the world's Catholic youth.
During John Paul II's first pilgrimage to Poland in June, 1979, he ushers in an era of hope that motivates the Polish people and their Solidarity leadership (formed 1980) to eventually bring a hard-fought end to Communist rule there. This passion ultimately spreads throughout the rest of the East bloc as well.
Despite health obstacles in later years, John Paul II refused to curtail his busy schedule. He continued to challenge and inspire millions of people throughout his lengthy illness and during his last days.
External links
- Pope John Paul II Official Site
- Pope John Paul II DVD Ignatius Press Website