John of the Cross

TV Movie
1997
56m

IMDb RATING

8.7/10

YOUR RATING

Leonardo Defilippis in John of the Cross (1997)

As a young priest, John of the Cross (1542-1591) is confronted with the corruption of his Carmelite Order, and sets out to live a truly contemplative life. His religious brothers, resenting his holiness and asceticism and his efforts to reform the order, imprison him in a closet for nine torturous months. Undaunted, there he composes much of his immortal poetry, and enters into a mystical union with God. His harrowing escape is miraculous. His moving poem, The Spiritual Canticle, weaves throughout the film, enriching the story and granting insight into what it means to persevere in love when confronted with suffering.

Performed by Leonardo and Patti Defilippis in various roles, the film is enhanced with a cast of more than 60 extras and a beautiful musical score composed by Randall DeBruyn.

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Biography Drama History

Friar John longs for God, but his jealous Carmelite brothers resent his holiness and imprison him in a tiny cell. Here, he writes one of his most profound works: the beautiful "Spiritual Can... Read allFriar John longs for God, but his jealous Carmelite brothers resent his holiness and imprison him in a tiny cell. Here, he writes one of his most profound works: the beautiful "Spiritual Canticle."Friar John longs for God, but his jealous Carmelite brothers resent his holiness and imprison him in a tiny cell. Here, he writes one of his most profound works: the beautiful "Spiritual Canticle."

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.7/10

YOUR RATING

1User review

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
Leonardo and his wife Patti met at the 1980 Oregon Shakespearean Festival.

Quotes
Madre Teresa of Avila (aka St. Teresa of Avila): Dear Lord, you treat your friends so terribly at times. It is no wonder you have so few

User reviews1

Review

Featured review

beautiful. in profound sense

I saw it as Greek Orthodox Christian, reminding the fascination of discover, in first year of high school, the poetry of Juan Yepes y Alvarez.

And I was real seduced by this film, for the great ambition of. Leonardo Defilippis and its well crafted portraits of Juan and Teresa, for atmosphere and the wise way to offer the life and struggles of this great Spanish Carmelitan as proper introduction in his admirable work.

In profound sense, a beautiful film, the music, like the Spiritual Canticle as fair axis for a touching sketch of the intense faith and its expression of a monk of XVI century.

Difficult to say much because it is one of films deserving to be called experience.