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Best Sellers | | Home Father of Mercy: The True Story of Venerable Don Gnocchi | |
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| | Description | This powerful epic film depicts the life of Fr. Carlo Gnocchi, an Italian priest who labored heroically to minister to the wounded and dying soldiers during World War II, and to victims of the war on the home front. While teaching students at the Gonzaga Institute in Milan, Fr. Gnocchi volunteered to be the military chaplain on the war front. After witnessing the horrors of the war, helping many suffering soldiers, and miraculously escaping death, he returned to start a foundation for the many children who were victims of the war. Starring Daniele Liotti (St. Anthony), this film tells of Don Gnocchi s inspiring work with the students, the soldiers, and the children. His great legacy lives on today in the Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation that provides medical care for thousands of patients in over 75 hospitals and clinics in Europe, and his cause for Beatification is underway in Rome. This DVD contains the following language subtitles: Spanish and English.
Special Features include a 16 page booklet by Daria Sockey with study questions, biography of Don Gnocchi, and resource list. Also has a Behind the Scenes featurette. | |
| | Product Details | | Actors: | Daniele Liotti, Giulio Pampiglione, Francesco Martino, Alexandra Dinu | | Director: | Cinzia Torrini | | Format: | NTSC | | Number of Discs: | 1 | | Studio: | Ignatius Press | | Run Time: | 200 minutes | | DVD Release Date: | February 27, 2009 | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 8 reviews |
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| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review:
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 Good Family Movie Jul 08, 2010
This movie, one in a series of foreign made movies about Catholic Saints distributed by Ignatius Press, is a good family film. I cannot vouch for historical accuracy; some of these Italian made films get rather "creative" with the personal life of the Saint featured in the film. However, it is a noble story with good depiction of everyday kind of struggles that people go through. The acting is on par with some American TV rather than Hollywood. My 11 year old son, who loves to "play war" and shoots everything that moves (including his fav target- his father!) with his Nerf guns, but who also gets up every morning to serve at 7 AM Mass (yes, even in summer), really liked this Saint's story. He identified with Fr. Gnocchi's manliness in his devotion to God and affection for his friends. Often a man's spirituality is portrayed in a feminine manner, which can be demoralizing to a "real boy" (let alone a "real man!"). I recommend this film.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Solid & Inspirational Feb 16, 2010
I was not sure what to expect with this film and it was awesome.
It is not syrupy in any way. It presents a real man who was inspirational and dedicated to his mission. He had courage and knew how to minister among those in need without making himself into a king among them. He clearly won the hearts and touched the souls of the young men in the military around him. This is a great movie. He "walks the talk" of the Gospel - watch the video and you will be impressed; even if you don't consider yourself particularly "religious" you will find it easy to respect him and his personal character.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
A Look at War and Charity Nov 30, 2009
Paul Fussell, a literary scholar and World War II veteran, writes about war largely from a perspective forged in infantry combat. As an antidote to what he calls "military romanticism" he wrote the book, "The Boys' Crusade: The American Infantry in Northwestern Europe, 1944-1945," in which he states, "anyone who imagines a military `victory' gratifying is mistaken" (p. xiii). Professor Fussell dedicated this book "TO THOSE ON BOTH SIDES WHO SUFFERED" (the dedication is entirely capitalized in the book).
I was reminded of "The Boys' Crusade" while watching the movie, "Father of Mercy." In this film, war's gore and cruelty is seen from the vantage point of Father Carlo Gnocchi as a combat military chaplain for the Italian army in World War II and, after the war, as a caregiver for the war's most undeserving victims, children who were mutilated during the war by bullets, bombs and mines. "Father of Mercy" shows casualties as being not only soldiers and civilians wounded and killed, but their families and friends. Wounds are portrayed not only as physical, but mental and spiritual.
In one memorable combat scene on the Russian front, two Italian soldiers are suddenly confronted by a Soviet soldier. All three are paralyzed with fear - not of dying, but of killing. Finally, the Russian is killed by one of the Italians, who suffered devastating psychological damage as a result. This scene reflects findings of the United States Army that only 15% of American soldiers in combat in World War II fired their weapons at the enemy, so repulsive is it to kill another human being (see "The Price of Valor," The New Yorker, July 12&19, 2004).
"Father of Mercy" is laudable for its depiction of war and for its celebration of the selfless, heroic charity of Fr. Gnocchi. My major complaint would be the inclusion in this movie of a love story subplot which unnecessarily lengthens the film, adding little if anything to the more important themes.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Wonderful Story Oct 31, 2009
This is a great story - and it is true! Italian film makers are experts at this type of film. I didn't want it to end so I watched it over several evenings - crying the whole time. It tells the stories of several people - not just Don Gnocchi. A wonderful movie for families.
7 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 Disappointed Aug 18, 2009
This priest's story was a good one, I am sure. But why insert a love triangle when there wasn't one in reality? Italy is the same as Hollywood it seems. And this true story took place during World War II. Well, the ones who made the movie were probably not Catholic or were born after Vatican II when the novus ordo Mass started. When this priest was actually a priest, the Mass was in LATIN and totally different from the way the director/producer portrayed it. The vestments were correct, but the words were not. This is not a truly Catholic movie. Somebody truly orthodox should remake this movie please! It was terrible. Also, the story was sappy to begin with. Not realistic. Shame on Ignatius Press for putting forth such a bad movie. Too long, too.
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