MovieChat Forums > The Conclave (2007) Discussion > Blessed is brillant

Blessed is brillant

posted 18 years ago by edmund_burke_jr
2 replies | jump to latest

This film was sent on Danish television yesterday and I must say that I am astonished. The movie is fantastic. It is showing the whole discussion at the conclave. What is for and what is against the different candidates? Apart from that it is also showing the mystery of the Vatican and the catholic faith very well although it is not very critical about the final solution. All christians around the globe will simply love the film because it is the christian candidate who gains the Holy See and the hardcore politicians in the end are either losing or softened.

In spite of my objections to the movie I have still chosen to give it 10 points because everyone - especially Brian Blessed - is making a great performance. Terrific, marvellous! The passionate dialogs in the end alone make the movie worth watching.

[–] Xcalat3 17 years ago

yeah it was pretty good

I Worship The Goddess Amber Tamblyn

[–] fafe22 16 years ago

As a catholic I find it hard to believe that all of us would love the movie.
Yes, Piccolomini is presented as a Cardinal who really had faith in the church, but you must remember the portrayal of the cardenals in general is very bad.
Besides don't you find it ironic that this man of God was curiously chosen in the end by the most notable corrupt Pope in history?
Rodrigo Borgia turned out to be in 1493 elected Pope, and he became Alexander VI. His son Cesar Borgia became one of the most blood thirsty politicians to roam the earth. It is said that the famous book "The Prince" of Niccollo Machiavelli was inspired by him. Cesar and Alexander VI ruled prominently and killed, slaughtered and supposedly maintained an incestous relationships with Alexander's daughter Lucrezia Borgia.
By the way, the movie has some factual errors. Rodrigo Borgia didn't know Vannoza at the time of the Conclave, he started his relationship with her much later. The Orsini family had much more influence than what is credited. And to be totally objective I rather doubt that Pius II was that devoted, in a time where the Vatican had power over the world, (and it is not an exaggeration).
What is interesting about the movie is the information of how the Conclave takes place, all though in reality it is a very secret process and only those who have been in one know for sure what happens. Also you can learn much on political alliances and how they are created, you must remember the best politicians of the word have been part of the Vatican.
So I don't specially believe the movie gives a nice portrayal of the Holy Roman Church, but I do believe its educational if you can watch it without prejudice and understand it is not actually what happened but only an assumption. As a catholic I believe that in order to really embrace my religion I must accept its faults in the past and learn from them, not disguise them as such to say that in the end faith will always prevail. Sadly The Vatican is run by men who are imperfect and not by God who is perfect. Therefore we must learn from our imperfections to seek perfection.