Karol: A Man Who Became Pope (2005)
"Karol, un uomo diventato Papa" (original title)

The life of the pope John-Paul II, from his youth as a writer, actor, and athlete in war-torn occupied Poland to his election as Pope at the age of 58.

Director:

Giacomo Battiato

Writers:

Giacomo Battiato (screenplay), Gianfranco Svidercoschi (book)

Stars:

Piotr Adamczyk, Malgorzata Bela, Ken Duken

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Piotr Adamczyk	...	Karol Wojtyla
Malgorzata Bela	...	Hanna Tuszynska
Ken Duken	...	Adam Zielinski
Hristo Shopov	...	Julian Kordek
Ennio Fantastichini	...	Maciej Nowak
Violante Placido	...	Maria Pomorska
Matt Craven	...	Hans Frank
Olgierd Lukaszewicz	...	Karol Wojtyla senior - Karol's father
Lech Mackiewicz	...	Stefan Wyszynski
Radoslaw Pazura	...	Pawel Kowalski
Grazyna Szapolowska	...	Brigitte Frank
Kenneth Welsh	...	Professor Wójcik
Raoul Bova	...	Tomasz Zaleski
Szymon Bobrowski	...	Captain Macke
Mateusz Damiecki	...	Wiktor Milosz

Storyline

The life of the pope John-Paul II, from his youth as a writer, actor, and athlete in war-torn occupied Poland to his election as Pope at the age of 58.

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Plot Keywords:

pope | poland | christianity | nazi occupied poland | hope | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Faith Streams

Country:

Poland Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Karol: A Man Who Became Pope

Filming Locations:

Dobczyce, Malopolskie, Poland

Box Office

Budget:

€10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Taodue Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

186 min 155 min (theatrical) 180 min (2 parts) (TV) 240 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Paul's life and papacy has been compared to that of the fictional pope in the novel "The Shoes of the Fisherman" by Morris West. Both men were from a Slavic nation, Ukraine in the book, Poland in real life. Both were among the younger cardinals. Both were elected after a deadlock over two Italian cardinals. The election of both was a shock to the world. Both were the first Slavic pope. Both the first non-Italian pope in 500 years. Both preached the message "Don't be afraid". John Paul's birth name Was 'Karol'. The Pope in the book was named 'Kiril'. The book was published in 1963, 15 years before John Paul's election.

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Quotes

Professor Wójcik: You pay for freedom with your whole being, that is why you will call freedom that which while paying for it helps you to know and control yourself over and over.

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Connections

Followed by Karol - The Pope, the Man (2006)

User Reviews

If Love doesn't win the Nazi's will return in a different form....

This film is truly inspirational. Karol's philosophy of resisting Nazi and Soviet tyranny in Poland through loving is the most powerful and revolutionary idea I have heard. Maintaining Polish culture through theatre and responding with love and gratitude in all circumstances. This is an incredibly powerful form of resistance. This film is well produced.

This film is in the same genre as "Gandhi"(1982) which similarly was inspiring as it showed the power of non-violent protest and resistance. In our time this message that the pen is mightier than the sword and that we must fight for and with Love and goodness provides hope and a way forward in this world of war, poverty, and deep anxiety and fear. However Karol seems to have something to add to Gandhi's example of non-violent resistance. He has a basis for building society and positively working for the progressive good of Mankind. That we may fulfil our potential in dignity and love in our Cultures and identities.

I hope this film and it's sequel will be better known in the future, and get the exposure that their excellence deserves!!!