Our Fathers
Added 4/5/2008
This was a well performed, carefully researched movie about an event in our not too distant past in an area very close to where I live.
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Our Fathers (DVD review)
Added 3/3/2008
Our Fathers is a ok movie to watch. Not so sure if this movie will be very popular with the general audience though.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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A powerful and moving film
Added 6/24/2007
I have watched this film again and again. It is SO powerful! It is also heart-rending and deeply moving. Last year, I wrote to the Irish television network RTE asking them to screen it - they never replied. This film should be compulsory viewing for all priests and bishops.
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Excellent service
Added 1/5/2007
DVD like new, arrived before anticipated date. One of the greatest DVD's of 2006.
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The Catholic Church's Scandalous Coverup
Added 7/11/2006
Most Catholics (I am now a former Catholic) of my era were naive. I was unaware of the child abuse crisis even while being a part time Catholic journalist during the middle 1970s. Alas, there was indeed a time when I spent numerous hours over alcoholic refreshments discussing the somewhat secretive business of the Church. I thought I was in the loop. The fact that a number of the clergy might molest children did not especially bother me. I knew about the arrest and conviction of the famous conservative priest Richard Ginder, editor of the widely read "Our Sunday Visitor." Sin is alive and well on planet Earth, and even priests are sinners. In my wildest imagination, however, I never considered it possible that a priest would essentially be allowed by the hierarchy to molest even more children. There is little doubt but that I would have accused someone of anti-Catholic bigotry if they even suggested something so vile. I might have even tried to punch them in the face.
I agree with those who point out that the makers of Our Fathers included too many characters in the script. Ellen Burstyn is in only one scene. We barely get to know something about her character---and she completely disappears. Nonetheless, this film is still well worth seeing. It is based on actual scandals of the Boston archdiocese. Archbishops like Cardinal Bernard Law (Christopher Plummer) cared little about the children. Protecting their fellow priests was perceived to be their primary responsibility. Our Fathers will enrage you. Lawyer Mitchell Garabedian (Ted Danson) is right on target: the Catholic Church would never address clerical child abuse unless it was severely hurt in the pocket book. He rightfully desired to collect as much money as possible for his clients. Should Our Fathers destroy your faith in God? No, but you will realize that a mature faith requires standing on your own two feet and not groveling before any Church's clerical establishment. God gave you a brain. Use it.
David Thomson
Flares into Darkness
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