The Scarlet and the Black (1983) (TV)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Jerry London

Writers:

J.P. Gallagher (book)
David Butler (written by)

Release Date:

2 February 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | War

Plot:

Fr. Hugh O'Flaherty is a Vatican official in 1943-45 who has been hiding downed pilots, escaped prisoners of war...

Plot Keywords:

Nazi | SS | Beautiful Woman | Scarlet Pimpernel | Rabbi

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Gregory Peck	...	Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty
Christopher Plummer	...	Col. Herbert Kappler
John Gielgud	...	Pope Pius XII (as Sir John Gielgud)
Raf Vallone	...	Father Vittorio
Kenneth Colley	...	Capt. Hirsch (as Ken Colley)
Walter Gotell	...	Gen. Max Helm
Barbara Bouchet	...	Minna Kappler
Julian Holloway	...	Alfred West
Angelo Infanti	...	Father Morosini
Olga Karlatos	...	Francesca Lombardo
Michael Byrne	...	Reinhard Beck
T.P. McKenna	...	Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Count Langenthal
John Terry	...	Lt. Jack Manning
Peter Burton	...	Sir D'Arcy Osborne

Also Known As:

Scarlatto e nero (Italy)
The Vatican Pimpernel

Runtime:

143 min | Spain:136 min

Country:

USA | UK | Italy

Language:

English | German | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

ITC

Trivia:

General Max Helm, Herbert Kappler's superior officer depicted in the film, is based on the real life character of 'Karl Wolff', Supreme SS Commander for Italy and third in command of the entire SS. Karl Wolff survived the war, was found not guilty of war crimes, and lived to an old age, dying in 1984.

Quotes:

Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty: Colonel, do I get the idea that you're tryin' to put a crimp in my social life?
Col. Herbert Kappler: Damn you and damn your social life, priest!

Movie Connections:

References Rappresaglia (1973)

Best Peck film made

"The Scarlet and the Black" is a must see for anyone who likes WW2 era films. It is also one of the greatest films ever made. The two leading actors Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer make this film even better with superb acting. Also I must admit that it is amusing to see "Captain Von Trapp" (Christopher Plummer "The Sound of Music") the Nazi hater as the chief Nazi of Roam. "The Scarlet and the Black" is a good film to introduce younger children to the true history of the Catholic Church and WW2. Although the Gestapo aren't as violent in the movie, they are still shown realistically as sadistic, hate filled men who followed evil orders. "The Scarlet and the Black" is probably the best film ever produced by Gregory Peck or Christopher Plummer. Sadly it is probably also one of the least known to the general population of the world, even though it tells a story that literally MUST be heard.

If we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat it.