E VENNE UN UOMO (A MAN NAMED JOHN; AND THERE CAME A MAN)

Italy, 1965, 90 minutes, Colour.
Rod Steiger, Adolfo Celi, Romolo Valli.
Directed by Ermanno Olmi.

A Man Named John was based on a book by Pope John XXIII. The film traces his background, his peasant family, his upbringing at Sotto Il Monte, near Bergamo. It shows his development as a priest in the parish, in Venice, his subsequent career as a diplomat.

John XXIII came after almost twenty years of the reign of Pius XII as pope. He was considered an intermediary, a buffer after the death of Pius XII. However, in January 1959 he called the Second Vatican Council which transformed the church and enabled it to be part of the latter 20th century. He was pope for only four and a half years, dying in June 1963.

The film was written and directed by Ermanno Olmi who also came from Bergamo. Olmi had a career as director for over fifty years, making such classics in the 70s as The Tree of Wooden Clogs and The Legend of the Holy Drinker. This is a film as portrait and tribute.

1. What was the purpose of this film? To what audience was it directed? Merely Catholics? General audience? Comment on the use of the election framework. How much knowledge did it presuppose on the part of the audience? On the outcome of the Papal election? Did this add suspense or generate interest?

2. Was there too much of a Catholic atmosphere about the film? Or was there a more balanced religious outlook?

3. What were your impressions of Pope John from this film? Did Raymond Burr do an effective impersonation? What particular characteristics were well done?

4. How interesting was the central story? How did it illustrate Pope John's personality and concern? The issue of the children: the values of human life above all, the nature of decisiveness and decisions, the courage of John in promoting the children's cause above all other things, John's diplomacy in dealing with the Germans, the Turks, the Portuguese? Was this a good illustration for Pope John's personality and the type of Pope that he was?

5. What personality traits of Pope John came through the film? Especially in relationship with his family, his sister, the housekeeper and the illness of their brother in his leave, and her urging him to go, his decision to stay?

6. In his relationship with his secretary, Monsignor Ryan, his good humour and reliance on advice? In his dealings with the Prime Minister of Turkey, friendship and discretion, diplomacy and pressure?

7. In his relationship with Von Papen? In his confrontation with the Nazi representative? His courage and moral preciseness? The importance of the baptism of the Portuguese child and Pope John's asking a favour of the Portuguese? His confidence compared with the Portuguese ambassador's? What finally affected his decision being fulfilled?

8. What was the effect of John's intervention about the ship and the children? How was this illustrated by his visits to the ship? How humanitarian a thing was this? How important are such gestures?

9. How feeling was the encounter between Pope John and the boy Joseph? The Jewish/Catholic relationship? Joseph, the response to John? Joseph as a grown up? Was this expected?
(Was this rightly emotional or was it too sentimental?)

10. What kind of a Pope would John emerge as if this was his background?

11. What was the final impact of the film? Was this a religious film? What values did it promote? What emotional response would it gain from a world audience?