Μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον [Luke 1. 46b]

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

CINEMA/TELEVISION: Pastors, Priests, & Fathers That I Like - - -

   I hate cross-posting, usually, but I'm making an exception (still tired out from Holy Week I guess :) ).

    The following post is one that I wrote for my old genre-related (monster movies, comic-books, sci-fi TV shows, 60's emphemera) blog that I created and posted on from around October 2009 until January 2011.  I had a lot of fun doing it, and think that this post below does indeed fit the confines of MEGALUNEI

 

Pastors, Priests, Friars & Fathers That I Like



Rather than "curse the darkness" and look only at the falleness and sadness of man (which in our day and age is so easy to do), I wish only to highlight some great actors who have portrayed some great churchmen on the silver screen and on the smaller idiot-box. These are strong, noble, courageous, funny, and well-rounded characters (for the most part); major kudos belong of course to good, developed, and NON-STEREOTYPICAL writing.

Who can deny the gravitas and impressiveness of Max von Sydow as "The" Exorcist! And Jason Miller's role as Father Damien is truly heroic, re: his final act of self-sacrifice. Still a chillingly frightening and riveting movie.


Robert the Bruce (or as it's sometimes labeled: The Bruce) is not a very good movie. But maybe that's unfair, as it is invariably compared to BRAVEHEART. The acting is a bit wooden and the fight sequences a bit too much like some BBC reenactment, but dang!!!! Oliver Reed (the GREAT mad, drunk, fightin' Oliver Reed) gives a hoot of a performance as warrior priest: Bishop Wisharton! Staff, or sword, he'll give 'em all a whupping!


One of my favorite television series ever, from "across the pond" is the charming (yet intense and emotional) Ballykissangel. All the priests are interesting and decent chaps. But the original arrival of Stephen Tompkinson as Father Clifford is still my favorite! This series as well as Monarch of the Glen are worth checking out my friends!


I absolutely love THE WILD GEESE. I cry every time Richard Burton (at the end) takes little Emile's hand in his. Burton and Harris are both at their best, Roger Moore gives a solid performance, and the great character actor Frank Finlay plays an inspired cameo as pacifist Irish priest Father Geoghagen. Everything about this flick just screams out: "forgotten war/cult classic." Rent it!


Back in the day, Hollywood had some decent roles for RC priests, whether Spencer Tracy or "der Bingel." One of my favorite old timers is GOING MY WAY. Bing Crosby as Father O'Malley and Barry Fitzgerald as Fr. Fitzgibbon are both delightful. (why the Hawaii 5-0 "Zulu as Kono" thing though? :) )


I love Hitchcock. I love the intense, brooding, penetrating "method acting" of Monty Clift. Hitch's I CONFESS is another gem in the master's filmography (or is that director-ography?) Clift plays a priest, who is loyal to his vows and refuses to "rat out" someone who confessed to him a sin. Whatever your "take" on these "hot button" issues (which will not be posted on this blog :) ) this is a riveting drama that all Hitchcock fans will want to see. Top-notch!


Firefly might be the best series that Joss Weedon has ever done. I own the first (and last; it was "cut down" by the "suits" in its infancy) season on DVD and urge you to purchase it as well. Ron Glass (the great television actor from Barney Miller) gives a nuanced and sensitive protrayal of SHEPHERD (i.e. pastor) Book, a religious man from the future days of space travel.


How can the character Friar Tuck not be on everybody's list of favorite "religious" types? My favorite is probably Phil Rose, who played (the more traditional) portly Friar, in Goldcrest's (British) 1980 series: Robin of Sherwood. This is the series that had both Michael Praed AND Jason Connery playing Robin "in the hood."


This last picture is of Springfield's own: Rev'd Lovejoy! He deserves our respect if for no other reason than he has to put up with "Flanders" (as Homer would call him). Plus, Rev. Lovejoy likes model railroad trains (which I think is cool), AND, when he first rode into Springfield he was blaring on his car (convertible) radio, the Doobie Brothers' (Jesus is Just All Right With Me)..... man, the early 70s rocked (cough, cough, eeeere)

Stay safe everyone. Drink some wine, love your wife and kids (or pat the dog on the head etc.) listen to some good tunes. AND "keep on swimming for shore."

No comments:

Post a Comment