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Mini-series dramatisation of the life of Karol Wojtyla, the man who became Pope John Paul II. Trapped in Krakow as the Nazis invade, young Karol (Piotr Adamczyk) witnesses the destruction of his homeland and the death of his dreams to study literature and become an actor. In the Polish underground, seeking solace in prayer, Karol decides to become a priest. As the war ends, Poland still finds itself dominated by a totalitarian regime, as the Soviet Union begins to persecute the Catholic Church. Karol quickly rises through the chuch hierarchy to become a cardinal and then, in 1978, he is called to Rome to be declared Pope.
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67 of 68 people found the following review helpful
By Black Prince
Format:DVD
Watched this on German TV the past two nights - excellent ! An Italian-Polish-French-German production costing 20 million Euros well-spent.
The opening in Krakow as the Nazi invasion turns the world upside down and those around Wojtyla are dispersed or dead, some to re-emerge, others to live on only in his thoughts; is graphic.
What develops is the enormous depth of experience which made this Polish Pontiff so much more resonant with the peoples of the world than any Vatican bureaucrat of previous eras. It also renders the elevation of his friend Josef Ratzinger to be his successor a brilliant series of events for the Roman Catholic Church. The experience of Poland in suffering the ravages of Nazism and its eradication of Polish Culture and Jewish heritage followed by the stultifying montony and atheistic sterility of Sovietised Communism, made the steadfastness of Karol Wojtyla the very essence of John Bunyan's Mr Standfast.
This was a man of enormous resolve and mental capacity, a man of learning and a man of sporting action, yet a man who by his living, his surviving assassination, and the manner of his dying days; showed enormous courage and faith and is a man to be admired as so very few can be for his great example.
The acting was very, very good; and the juxtaposition of a resolute Church faced with the secular tyranny seeking to enslave and extirpate all resistance was a brilliant counterpoint in the film. The Cross of Nowy Huta was fantastic as a symbol, and symbolic of the cracking of the rigid frame of Europe's second totalitarian dictatorship of the Twentieth Century.
Reading the later books of Pope John Paul II - the very last series of essays - conceptualises this experience perfectly.
... Read more ›7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Ms. EA Byrne
Format:DVD
This film is a beautiful, moving tribute to a man who taught love and practiced what he preached. I think it is wonderfully acted by the title roles. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Pope Benedict himself gave it a favourable review but you don't need to be Catholic, Christian or even religious to recognise the goodness of JPII and see the gift he had with people- especially youth.
This film captures the essence of who Karol was and what motivated him in a time of oppression and fear. It puts the message of John Paul's papacy 'DO NOT BE AFRAID' into a new light when you see how hard he must have struggled not to let fear conquer him in his life.
There is a second part to this production- 'KAROL; THE POPE, THE MAN' in which the actors reprise their roles Piotr Adamczyk is utterly superb in portraying the Pope to the point of his death. This young actor really does deserve praise. The second part is only available through Amazon Canada but if you have a multi region DVD player then it is worth ordering. It is done with the same sensitivity and a higher level of accuracy that 'A Man Who Became Pope'. Together these are truly great films that inspire and uplift like the man himself.
I hope as many people as possible get the chance to enjoy them
This film captures the essence of who Karol was and what motivated him in a time of oppression and fear. It puts the message of John Paul's papacy 'DO NOT BE AFRAID' into a new light when you see how hard he must have struggled not to let fear conquer him in his life.
There is a second part to this production- 'KAROL; THE POPE, THE MAN' in which the actors reprise their roles Piotr Adamczyk is utterly superb in portraying the Pope to the point of his death. This young actor really does deserve praise. The second part is only available through Amazon Canada but if you have a multi region DVD player then it is worth ordering. It is done with the same sensitivity and a higher level of accuracy that 'A Man Who Became Pope'. Together these are truly great films that inspire and uplift like the man himself.
I hope as many people as possible get the chance to enjoy them
40 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
This is an excellent account of the life of Karol Woytyla, latterly Pope John Paul II. Gripping coverage. Even though it's very long at 3 hours, our attention was held throughout. Polish acting & direction much improved & of a high enough standard to be very watchable by critical 'western' standards. Much of the filming is on location & as such is very authentic. Highly recommended.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Pope John Paul II is probably the most famous Pole in recent history. Before he was Pope John Paul II, he was Karol Wojtyla. Before he became the Pope, he was an actor, poet, teacher, and priest. "Karol: A Man who Became Pope" traces his personal history from the early days of the second world war up until the time he becomes the Pope. His life story is an interesting and inspirational.
The movie begins with a young Karol at the start of World War II, we get to see a close up look at the brutal German invasion of Krakow and how Karol managed to lived though it. The arrival and occupation of the city must have been a traumatic experience, and we get to see the death and destruction the Nazis brought from the perspective of Karol and his friends. Events in the war influenced Karol and made him decide to become a priest so he could help others.
With the end of the war, Poland did not have an easy time, as now the Russians controlled Poland. Priests were a persecuted group as the communists were atheists. A spy was placed to watch Wojtyla as he was deemed to be a threat to communism. We get to see the future Pope develop as a person and spiritually, as he touches the lives of so many people. It was incredible to watch how all of this unfolded.
There are several messages in the film. One theme is life and death, as Karol sees others suffer and even die; yet he does not loose his faith. He remains hopeful and strong in situations where others would give up. This brings us to the other major themes of the movie: faith and love. He never lost his faith in a better future. We also see how love can triumph over hate. Love can pave the way to a better future, and whatever banner hate has, it will not triumph over love.... Read more ›
The movie begins with a young Karol at the start of World War II, we get to see a close up look at the brutal German invasion of Krakow and how Karol managed to lived though it. The arrival and occupation of the city must have been a traumatic experience, and we get to see the death and destruction the Nazis brought from the perspective of Karol and his friends. Events in the war influenced Karol and made him decide to become a priest so he could help others.
With the end of the war, Poland did not have an easy time, as now the Russians controlled Poland. Priests were a persecuted group as the communists were atheists. A spy was placed to watch Wojtyla as he was deemed to be a threat to communism. We get to see the future Pope develop as a person and spiritually, as he touches the lives of so many people. It was incredible to watch how all of this unfolded.
There are several messages in the film. One theme is life and death, as Karol sees others suffer and even die; yet he does not loose his faith. He remains hopeful and strong in situations where others would give up. This brings us to the other major themes of the movie: faith and love. He never lost his faith in a better future. We also see how love can triumph over hate. Love can pave the way to a better future, and whatever banner hate has, it will not triumph over love.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Karol - a Man Who Became Pope (DVD)
Very prolofic and very well portraid. It gives akeen insight into Pope John Paul II and his struggles in life through which he struggled and overcame the evil around him to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Caroline Woods
5.0 out of 5 stars
FANTASTIC FILM
The life of blessed John Paul II is incredibly rich and if a film was to be made to cover all the important aspects of his life, it will indeed be a VERY LONG FILM! Read more
Published 2 months ago by R
5.0 out of 5 stars
Karol - A Man Who Became Pope
An excellent and very moving film about this incredible man who lived through very turbulent times in his home country.
Published 2 months ago by MOIRA I RIGGS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!
I didn't know very much about Pope John Paul II, especially before he became Pope. This film gives such a unique insight into the life of Karol Wojtyla and the accomplishments he... Read more
Published 5 months ago by A customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heart-rending
No wonder he was such a popular Pope! He was truly a man of the world. This is his often heart-rending life story, sensitively shot. .
Published 7 months ago by Dr. B. A. Juby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Karol the man who became Pope
It is a flim which is exceedingly factual. I don't like a film which is edited in such a way to obtain sensation. Acting excellent, which provides a most moving experience.
Published 12 months ago by pattibee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Karol: A man who became Pope DVD
After watching this DVD it has left a very lasting affect, was very enlightening. love is truly the most powerful weapon. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ann-marie Harvey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Touching
This movie made me realise that normal simple people can do great things. We all are just an ordinary people, but this what we can do with our life is just our choice. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2011 by Gb Hyla
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Moving
Thought this film was very well made. It was good from start to finish and gave two evenings entertaining history, as we watched it in two halves. Read more
Published on 12 April 2011 by Mr. J. Mclaughlan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A TOUCHING AND INSPIRING STORY OF JOHN PAULII
I read most of the reviews of this T.V. movie, some of which were not very favourable and wondered what all the fuss was about. Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2010 by JIMBO (Dublin,)
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