Mary (1994)

MARY is based on the true life story of Mary MacKillop who in the 1860s began an order of nuns to teach poor Catholic children in rural Australia. When she refused to obey the local Bishop,... See full summary »

Director:

Kay Pavlou

Writer:

Kay Pavlou

Stars:

Lucy Bell, Linden Wilkinson, Rebecca Scully-Webster

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lucy Bell	...	Mary MacKillop
Linden Wilkinson	...	Older Mary MacKillop
Rebecca Scully-Webster	...	Young Mary MacKillop
Brendan Higgins	...	Father Julian Woods
Brian Harrison	...	Bishop Sheil
Maureen Green	...	Sister Teresa
Brian McDermott	...	Bishop James Quinn
Stephen Leeder	...	Father Horan
Frank Garfield	...	Bishop Reynolds
Roslyn Oades	...	Sister Paula
Vanessa Downing	...	Flora MacKillop
Dean Nottle	...	Governor's Gentleman
Lynne Porteous	...	Cook
Jane McDermott	...	Sister Clare
Nicholas Findlay	...	Thomas

Storyline

MARY is based on the true life story of Mary MacKillop who in the 1860s began an order of nuns to teach poor Catholic children in rural Australia. When she refused to obey the local Bishop, she was ex-communicated. More than 100 years later, in 1995, she was beatified as Australia's first saint. The film follows her tumultuous journey.

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Plot Keywords:

australia | bishop | catholic | nun | saint | 

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Taglines:

The Inspiring Life of Mary MacKillop...A Story For Our Time

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Drama | History

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 1994 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Mary: The Mary MacKillop Story

Filming Locations:

New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goalpost Pictures, Australian Film Commission, The, Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The beatification of Mary MacKillop as a Saint was held in Sydney, Australia by Pope John Paul II in January 1995, while the film was in theatrical release in Australia.

User Reviews

Fascinating story of Blessed Mary MacKillop

When I first ordered this movie I only had a vague idea of who Blessed Mary MacKillop was. After watching the film, I not only had a better understanding, but I admired her immensely.

Mary MacKillop was an innovator in that she was one of the first women to start a teaching order of nuns in Australia. In doing so, she did not believe in the separation of children according to their station in life. She also believed it was important to interact with and not just teach the children. Many of the towns people, as well as the Church itself, felt uncomfortable with some of Mother Mary's ways of teaching.

Her order, the Sisters of St. Joseph, grew rapidly and began to expand outside of the smaller areas of Australia. While this happened, the Church began a campaign against Mother Mary. Where she believed her order of nuns should remain autonomous, there were those in the Church who found her ideas threatening and there were plans underway to strip Mary of her autonomy.

I don't want to divulge any more information...you really do need to see this remarkable film to appreciate it. One nice touch is that the film is actually a movie and documentary combined. The phenomenal Lucy Bell portrays Mother Mary so convincingly that you begin to feel she isn't really acting.

Do yourself a favor. Rent or buy this movie and sit back and enjoy each frame. You will not be sorry you did!

Mike Rossillio