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Don Bosco (TV) More at IMDbPro »

13 out of 13 people found the following review useful:
Don Bosco: father and teacher of the young vividly portrayed, 22 January 2007

Author: Joe Boenzi from Berkeley

In January I discovered that the DVD version of "Don Bosco" was soon to be released coming in English. I had seen the made-for-TV film in Italian. It aired as a mini-series in September 2004. The Italian version is absolutely excellent. I have the copy in Italian which I purchased last year while living in Rome, and have brought that copy with me, but I had been waiting to hear if the film would come out in English (since it was actually filmed in English). Today (2 April 2007) I received the English version from Ignatius Press and watched it immediately.

Well, first the bad news. The English-version lacks the quality of the original. The dubbing is well done, but there are some major errors in pronunciation. For instance, even though everyone knows this saint as "Don Bosco", the English version calls him "Father Bosco". That is strange, especially since all the names of the characters remain in Italian (Giovanni, Michele, Domenico, etc.). But, fine, it is a minor irritation and I could live with that. What really is strange, however, is that the voices in the English soundtrack consistently mispronounce the name of the religious movement and congregation that he founded, the Salesians. Who worked with English-speaking actors? The Salesians are the second largest order in the Catholic Church: you think that someone from sound stage might have been able to find a Salesian to consult so that they could get the names and terminology correct!

All right, that's the bad news. As for the movie itself, it is very good news. Now what I write now is based on the original version because, happily, there is both an English and an Italian track, and so you can view the film in either language, and you can activate the subtitles in English or Spanish. It is funny that the translation of the text of the English subtitles is very different from the English soundtrack… but that is fine. This written text is actually closer to the Italian, as are the Spanish subtitles. If you like the sound of Italian, watch the film with Italian sound and English subtitles, and you may enjoy it more.

Like I say, the Italian version is excellent, excellent. It is far better than the 1988 movie of Don Bosco produced by the RAI.

Flavio Insinna does an exceptional job in his portrayal of Don Bosco. He brings the saint to life. The young people who portray Don Bosco's boys are believable too. For those who know Don Bosco's story, the young people who historically played an integral role in developing his educational and social outreach all appear: Michele Rua (Daniel Tschirley), Giovanni Cagliero (Ry Finerty), Giuseppe Buzzetti (Jonathan Ross Latham). These figures are all portrayed in ways that mirror what we know of their actual characters as kids (each went on to do great things as adults in the Salesian cause). There are also some characters of boys that sum up troubled youth: "Bruno" is a character of this type, and done with exceptional delicacy.

A highlight of the second half of the mini-series is the appearance of Domenico Savio (St Dominic Savio: 1842-1857). In the film, Savio (Lewis Crutch) interacts significantly with Don Bosco and the other (older) boys, asking the kind of questions that grounds them in their present duties with an eye towards their eternal destiny. Young Crutch's portrayal of the boy-saint Savio is true to character and pivotal to the story. Meanwhile Lina Sastri shows great versatility in playing Don Bosco's mother, the well-loved Mamma Margaret, both as a young widow on her farm and as the wise grandmother caring for an ever-growing household of orphans. These portrayals are true to life and true to the style and spirit of Don Bosco's life and work. Nor does the film neglect the controversial issues: the Archbishop of Turin's attempts to curtail the Salesian work, and the antagonism of the Italian government. Again, in the midst of the conflict that makes for drama, we see the growth of character and the depth of idealism that never left Don Bosco, but helped him to become a father and teacher to the young.

Finally, let me say that I found Lodovico Gasparini's "Don Bosco" not only excellent but totally moving. Normally I am very critical of attempts to portray religious figures in the popular media, but this film gives us a Don Bosco who really belongs to young people in need and to all those who dedicate themselves to the young.

12 out of 13 people found the following review useful:
There would be no orphan on earth if only..., 15 June 2006

Author: Marcin Kukuczka from Cieszyn, Poland

People who have traveled to the northern part of Italy and particularly to the center of Piedmont must have heard of the city of Turin. A primarily industrial city saw marvelous events that took place in the 19th century thanks to one priest whose life was full of devotion to poor youngsters. This priest's name was John Bosco (1815-1888), a man who won the hearts of even the most "lost" boys. The film by Lodovico Gasparini is a truly educational biopic which concentrates on the fundamental thing Bosco's life was based on, Love.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF CONTENT: Piedmont, the 1830s, young priest John Bosco (Flavio Insinna) sees the hardship of the society and their brute living conditions. Most of young boys turn to crimes and robberies while girls make money as prostitutes. The most cruel fact, however, is that no one seems to care about these young people who lost all dreams of a better future. Once, Bosco visits a prison of minors and faces a terribly difficult conversation with young thieves. He realizes that the only way to help them is through solidarity. He decides to arrange one free day for nine boys from prison. The day on which he takes care of them begins a new era for the youngsters. A school is started in Valdocco where the boys can learn to read and write. Youngsters begin to recapture their believe in dignity and a hope for a better future. However, no one would then expect, probably not even Bosco himself, that this will be such a bright future that will move crowds of people...

CAST: Flavio Insinna, known for some of his roles in Italian productions, gives a magnificent performance as Don Bosco. Not only his outlook suits to this role but his entire acting. No moment disappointed me when compared to my expectations of how I imagined Bosco. I also liked Lina Sastri as Margherita Bosco. I remember this actress from SAINT PETER (2005) where she also beautifully portrayed Mary. Here, her role is filled with heart. Other performances, except for some, constitute primarily the ones by young boys. In this case, the boy actor that caught my attention was Lewis Clutch who plays a famous young saint, Domenico Savio. Although the film is not a top production, which is proved by the small number of IMDb votes, the performances are of very high level. Thanks to them the film is nice to watch since the content is quite hard as Bosco's life itself was.

POWERFUL MOMENTS: I know that someone may say: "This is a religious epic and since I am not religious, I won't watch this". Yes, you are free to think your way, nobody forces this on you. Yet, such a viewpoint will not open you to wonderful horizons in life but will rather close you within your world. This movie, like many purely religious films does not show religion falsely, as it isn't - full of codes, duties, fear of God the Judge but rather religion as full of simple JOY and LOVE. Don Bosco's life was filled with these two things and almost each scene of the movie contains them. Why does he sacrifice everything for the boys? Because of love. Why does he like the way he lives and cannot live another way? Because of joy, great joy that he learned from Jesus in the Eucharist. Powerful moments of the movie are numerous, difficult to enumerate just here in one review but one thing is certain: these moments make the film really touching. The scene in the forest moved me most... Bosco speaks to the boys from prison, those who lost faith that God is with them. Yet, it is them he speaks to, not the theologians or saints, but young criminals: :Look up, at the sky, at the sun, look around you ... if you admire these beauties that are God's shadows, His creatures only, you are free within your hearts and no one can take this freedom away from you." Bosco's recovery is also very moving. Because of difficulties in founding Salesians, Don Bosco is so ill that he seems to die soon. The boys' prayers touched me to tears... And the final symbolic scene when the priest walks in the streets of a big city and looks for orphans to take care of (that's what he really did), he finds one boy ... "No one is an orphan on this earth"...

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: I like this movie thanks to one more factor. It is not only a biopic of Don Bosco but it wonderfully makes use of extensive story of saint Domenico Savio (1842-1857) a boy who died at 15 in sainthood. His words "Better die than sin" became the fundamental words of the Salesians. His life, though so different and shorter than Bosco's, also reached sainthood. Lewis Crutch memorably plays Domenico, particularly a moving scene of his death. And Bosco's words after the boy's death: he died but only if we have forgotten his example. Yet, as long as we follow him, he lives within us. GREAT, ABSOLUTELY GREAT SCRIPT!

I recommend everyone to see this film, particularly youngsters. Those who feel so lonely or who think that God has forgotten us will see a slightly different light after this movie. No matter of historical period, no matter of races, believes, countries, continents, where is Love, there God occurs to be. See this! This movie will touch you to tears! If we take Bosco's example, no one around us will feel an orphan...

JUST A HISTORIC NOTE: Don Bosco was canonized in 1934 by Pius XI and Domenico Savio in 1954. Both are buried in Turin where yearly, crowds of pilgrims visit their tombs, the tombs from which one truth has been shining brightly for more than 100 years now: Love is eternal and only Love conquers the world!

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Flavio Insinna's Best Film Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 1 February 2008

Author: mistymountain from United States

I almost didn't watch this film when they showed it on EWTN the other night because the TV guide had the wrong year posted and didn't have any names as to who was in it. So I decided just out of curiosity to see what version they would show. Well, I was very happy when they showed the preview and I immediately recognized Flavio, and decided to watch it after all. Let me tell you it was well worth it. Flavio Insinna, who is one of my favorite foreign actors, beautifully portrayed Don Bosco. The film also goes by the English title, "St. John Bosco: Mission to Love". The only bad thing about the film was that everyone's voices were dubbed by American voice overs, including the English actors in the film. However, I did read another review on another website that you can hear the natural voices of the actors by choosing the language selection on the DVD. I sure wish they had that option for St. Peter (2005) with Omar Sharif. Anyway, I will agree with the other 2 people who previously posted here, that this is definitely a beautiful film, not just by the actors themselves, but the scenery of Italy, and of course the period costumes that they wore. Don Bosco was known for helping the poor and abandoned children of Turin, by getting some of the juveniles temporarily released from the juvenile prison, by taking them outside and teaching them about God's love for them. But, he was faced with persecution by the locals, and opposition from the church. He also inspired 2 of the boys to join the priesthood, and that scene was very touching. I like the ending when they show what happened to some of the boys that he took in. The rest of the cast should also be commended for their excellent performance as well. Lina Sastri beautiful portrayed Don Bosco's mother, Marghareta. Lewis Crutch, who played Domenico Savio, should have been nominated for an award for best supporting actor, and the 2 gentleman that portrayed the brothers, Bruno and Enrico, were outstanding. This film will definitely warm your heart, and I highly recommend this for everyone to see.

The Best Film About Saint John Bosco, 17 October 2011

Author: KazuyaRyuzaki from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Don Bosco,a 146 minute Italian TV movie starring Flavio Insinna,is the best film about the patron saint of the youth.

Saint John Bosco was an Italian Catholic priest, educator and writer of the 19th century.He put into practice the convictions of his religion, dedicating his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth and employing teaching methods based on love rather than punishment.This TV movie captures the essence of his man who dedicated his life for the young.

Aside from the him,the TV movie also presented Saint Dominic Savio and Blessed Michael Rua,students of Don Bosco.Overall,it the TV movie presented how he influenced the youth from turning to evil ways and lead them into living good lives.Flavio Insinna did a great performance on his portrayal of the Saint.No question,anyone who wants to know more about Don Bosco should watch this TV movie.

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