Padre Speranza (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Ruggero Deodato

Writers:

Ruggero Deodato (writer)
Alessandro Moretti (screenplay)

Release Date:

28 December 2005 (Italy)

Cast

Bud Spencer	...	Padre Speranza
Marco Messeri	...	Padre Leonardo
Angelo Infanti	...	Fonseca
Mauro Ursella	...	Gegé (=Gigi)
Alex Sandro	...	Vincenzo
Valentina Lainati	...	Maddalena
Giovanni Caruso	...	Vicedirettore
Saverio Deodato	...	Attilio
Rodolfo Corsato	...	Examining magistrate Mottola
Gianni Franco	...	Peluso
Laura Gualtieri	...	Dr. Rivelli
Vincent Riotta	...	Aldo Torrisi
Ines Nobili	...	Prison headmistress
Lucio Rosato
Alberto Rossi	...	Episcopo

Also Known As:

Father Hope (International: English title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Germany:12

Company:

Radiotelevisione Italiana

Trivia:

This is a never aired pilot episode for a never produced TV series. However, it went out on DVD in 2005.

Soundtrack:

Sigla di testa

Nice and compelling TV-production

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I bought this movie on DVD, because I am a big Bud Spencer Fan and want a complete collection. I did never expect much from this, so I was very happy, to be more than satisfied.

Spencer plays a somewhat renegade catholic priest, with strong concerns about lower-class youth. He is transferred to a small parish in Sicily, where his main task is as a priest in a youth prison. When a murder happens in the prison and a 16 year old boy seems to be guilty, the padre starts his investigations. Together with the commissar and the attorney he struggles with the fear of the common people and the local crime lords.

The plot is not the most original or creative, but it is solid and, after every aspect is known, without huge loopholes.The few action scenes are realistic and not overblown. Even the three small fistfights Spencer gets into are just small and short. The only drawback is, that the story seems to be hurried. You think all the investigation takes just 3 days, while it is much longer. Some footage of normal life would fill these gaps, but that's the problem of every TV-production.

It is not the most clever or exciting thriller, but it is good and solid TV-Craftsmanship, and never claims to be more. The acting is quite good, especially the young actors.

I will not advise that you have to buy this movie, though you could do worse, but if you have the chance to see it on TV or by video rental, do it. You will not be disappointed.