Testimony

Available soon from Ignatius Press:

Testimony: The Untold Story of Pope John Paul II (DVD)

Testimony is a groundbreaking feature film documentary event that chronicles the untold story of Pope John Paul II, a man who touched the lives of billions, and was one of the 20th Century's most influential leaders.

Recounted through in-depth interviews with the Pontiff's trusted advisor and right-hand man for 40 years, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz - and blended with recently uncovered and never-before-seen archival footage of John Paul's early career and eventual ascendancy to the papacy, Testimony is a revealing portrait of a man who touched the lives of billions, and changed history.

Lovingly narrated by Michael York, featuring music by Oscar-winning composer Vangelis, filmed in hitherto off-limits locations in the Vatican, the film is full of new and fascinating revelations about the Pope. Testimony is winning converts the world over thanks to massive press and media coverage of the film's premiere screening at the Vatican - attended by Pope Benedict, various heads of state, and thousands of multi-denominational spectators on October 16th, 2008.

Among the many amazing revelations in this ground-breaking documentary:

• Pope John Paul II was stabbed during a second failed assassination attempt that was kept secret by the Vatican...until now.
• Pope John Paul II liked to disguise himself and sneak out of the Vatican to mix with the people incognito.
• The Pontiff began his career as an actor, and had a great talent for Karaoke.
• His Holiness performed an exorcism.

The inspiring story of the Pontiff's life is told through rare archive footage, historical recreations, and key interviews with Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz and others who knew John Paul II.

Thomas Hibbs writes of the documentary:

Narrated by Michael York with commentary by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, a childhood friend of the pope and his personal secretary in Rome, Testimony has a reverent and personal tone. The film does not delve into Cold War politics, nor does it investigate the origins of the assassination attempt, nor does it mention, let alone assess, the pope’s handling of the sex-abuse crisis in the church. Yet, it is a captivating portrait of the life of Karol Wojtyla. It covers his entire life, from his childhood in Poland, his youthful and abiding interest in art and theater, his time under Nazi rule, his vocation to the priesthood, his elevation to cardinal and eventually to pope, his conflict with the Soviet empire, the birth of Solidarity in Poland, the attempts on his life, his world travels (particularly his trip to Israel), to his declining health in later life and his death.

Comments

[Paul H]

Sounds great! How long is it?