Matrixston Wow! Such a good movie.

GamerTab That was an excellent one.

Steineded How sad is this?

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

blanche-2 This film purports to tell the story of Padre Pio, a controversial saint whose life is open to interpretation. Many miracles have been ascribed to him, and, in favor with the current Pope at the time, John Paul II, he did achieve sainthood in 2002."Padre Pio," my version at least, is dubbed, and that took a little getting used to. However, Sergio Castellitto as Padre Pio does a wonderful job. Jurgen Prochnow is a visitor to the Padre at the end of his life, who wants him to admit that he is a fraud. Padre tells him his life story, so the film is in flashback.The film shows Padre Pio's difficult life, his work for the poor, his healings, the founding of a hospital, and the punishment he endured by his own order, who did not like his long masses and closeness to the congregation.Padre Pio had a stigmata, which was a source of controversy; though his stigmata is shown in the film, it's not really discussed. He was accused of continually opening the wounds with carbolic acid at one point. Also, he had about him the "odor of sanctity," a smell akin to flowers possessed by other saints, which by some was thought to be eau de cologne. He was constantly under investigation. Yet his followers speak of his many gifts, including his healings, ability to read hearts, bilocation, levitation, and prophecy. He supposedly told Father Karol Józef Wojtyła in 1947 that he would ascend to the highest place in the church. When Father Wojtyla became Cardinal, he believed Padre Pio's prediction to be true; however, he went on to become Pope John II. And it should be noted that his body, exhumed 40 years after his death, was found to be uncorrupted."Padre Pio" takes a positive, uplifting look at this man who followed a holy path from childhood, but it doesn't shy away from how unpopular he was with church officials. He was a fascinating man and well worth learning about, and this movie does an excellent job of showing his work.

alpenstanka This is honestly one of the best, if not even the best movie I've ever seen. The authenticity of the Saint's portrayal by Sergio Castellito is breathtaking. With his outstanding artistic performance he succeeded to balance a difficult task of showing Padre Pio as a deeply Saint and deeply human man in the same time. The movie shows a great humility, purity of heart and self-sacrifice of the Saint, but it doesn't also lack his simplicity and sense of humor. Jurgen Prochnow also very well handles his role of portraying the suspicious and persecuting priest. The final scenes representing the end of Padre Pio's life show the confrontation of these two man in a way which lets us see the amazing holiness of Padre Pio in a very special, strong way. The whole movie is deeply touching, and the beautiful and emotional soundtrack of Paolo Buonvino only intensifies the great experience by watching it. I think the film is very much worth to be seen not only by christians but also by atheists.

Marcin Kukuczka Carlo Carlei's film PADRE PIO is a very detailed depiction of life and mission of the great saint from San Giovanni Rotondo (Apulia, the Coast of Gargano), a charismatic person who aimed at loving God and suffer for goodness. This is one of the best Italian films ever made and it is a pity that it has hardly become popular. I love this movie because of many reasons:First of all, Mr Carlei shows Padre Pio (1887-1968) not only as someone who always wins, a kind of "religious superman" (sorry if this term is offensive) but a person full of innate struggle - SOMEBODY WHO HE REALLY WAS. Padre Pio, except for the fact that he had Holy Wounds of Christ on his body, he was, first of all, a very good and pious priest. He invited people to confess their sins and reconciled even atheists with God. And this is particularly noticeable in this beautiful movie. That's great since it gives a viewer a right picture of the saint.Secondly, a very good aspect of the film is Padre Pio's mercy and help for the poor. This proves the fact that Jesus lived in him. I was moved by the scene when a woman from San Giovanni Rotondo comes to church and prays to God to help her as she had no food to give her children. She lacked even basic head wear. When Pio saw her, he took as much money as he could handle in his hands and gave it to her. At this moment, a beautiful sunlight went through a window... Or another memorable moment when he plans to build a hospital for the poor, he says to one of his "spiritual daughters" Cleonice Morcaldi that Christ is in every ill person but in poor ill, He is twice as much. And when the hospital is built, his words to the doctors: "Remember, if you don't bring LOVE to your work, all your efforts are nothing!" Isn't that true???Finally, the director shows the truth of how church "persecuted" dear Padre Pio. The priest (Jurgen Prochnow) who comes to him on the day before Padre's death (22 September 1968) does not have to be historical but he represents the whole hierarchy in church and those who persecuted Padre Pio throughout his life. Fortunately, the end is surprising. I loved his words: "Christ is usually so close to us but we fail to recognize Him. What a blindness!!!After seeing this movie, now I do realize why more than 7 million people a year come to San Giovanni Rotondo. Padre Pio was a great gift from God to the dark 20th century, so much shocked by hatred of two world wars and atheism. Do see this film and you will look at the world, and especially at Holy Confession differently! He is also a great example for priests.Padre Pio was canonized by His Holiness John Paul II on June 16th 2002. Saint Peter's Square rarely saw such huge crowds of people of different races and from various parts of the world...

frankj-3 Hard to believe that this was a made-for-TV; I watched it in Italy at its first showing, where it attracted a huge Italian audience. Even if you are not a Catholic, or have little knowledge of Italian, the film's production values are outstanding; beautiful photography and evocation of the Italian countryside; outstanding performance from the film's star, who achieves an uncanny resemblence to the real Padre Pio. Over-long in its made-for-TV form, but some of the film's longeurs could be cut to bring it down to a normal length for a cinema release, which must come in Italy following the film's huge TV success. One to watch out for if it comes your way.