For Greater Glory

source: For Greater Glory

I worry about the poor theology behind some of the lines played up in the trailer: "Men pull the triggers, but God decides where the bullets land." In an effort to emphasize Catholics/Christians as persecuted and under fire, this movie glosses over the fact that the Mexican Bishops did not support the Christeros uprising and neglects the historical roots of the Church's role in Mexican economics and politics which led to the reactionary backlash and persecution of the Church during this time period. The movie Romero might be a worthwhile antidote for those who are discouraged by "Greater Glory." The Knights of Columbus of the United States seemed to be strongly in favor of promoting this movie, possibly because of K of C martyrs who are being considered for sainthood. Given the merger between Christianity and American Nationalism which seems to be emerging so strongly in the USA today, one would hope that Catholics would rise above the fray.

With a meta-critic rating of 35 and a user score of 72 you can assure that there is something fishy going on with the ratings of this movie. This movie, if it can even be called one, is actually a two hour plus piece of propaganda from the religious right (yes, we have one in Mexico) to try to justify the actions of a group of people who started refusing state provided secular education and was handled very poorly by the government. Of course the movie never mentions the numbers of teachers that were assassinated by the cristeros, which started the reaction by Calles' government. Not worth wasting your time on it.

I couldn't believe the events in the movie happened as depicted, so I researched the subject enough to convince myself that this movie is not historically accurate but exaggerates the barbarity of the government actions against the church, attempts to make it appear that the Catholic church is the only group persecuted, and ignores that the church did not want religious freedom, but wanted the government to enforce Catholicism as the state religion. There's enough injustice and suffering in the world; there's no need to lie or distort, except of course when you have your own agenda. And exaggerating and distorting event from almost 100 years ago to divide people now is especially contemptible. Or course now I will be condemned as supporting the Mexican government's actions, which I don't, because of course if you disagree with a fanatic then you must be taking a position 180 degrees the opposite. So if I say this movie distorts, I must hate freedom. Fox news teaches us this. Some people who think it's OK to lie and distort in support of their favorite cult and/or religion (sorry, I still don't know the difference) may be surprised at what they find when this veil passes away.

A+++SUPERB!.THE BEST MOVIE EVER! Everything is so impressive. REALPEOPLE,REAL EVENTS,REAL MEN WITH COURAGE. A CALL for everybody. Your life won't be the same after you watch this movie. The FAITH AND COURAGE OF AN INNOCENT BOY, will take you to another perspective in life. Is safe for kids to see it. No words can explain the emotions that this movie brings. YOU HAVE TO SEEIT,IS A MUST EVERYBODY LOVE IT,YOU WILL TOO! Some critics in the media didn't like it, because they are morons. Most of the movies are shallow and meaningless but this one is the REAL DEAL, you won't be disappointed! People were crying in the theaters even men. Your emotions will be in HIGH GEAR with this SPECTACULAR MOVIE!

I saw this movie under the title "For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada". For a relatively recent event in Mexican history (within the past century), I'm surprised that I've never heard of the Cristeros War, waged by the Catholics of that country against it's secularist President Plutarco Calles. What's even more stunning are some of the parallels one can draw from the scenarios offered in the film contrasted with the way people of faith in this country are constantly put on the defensive for their traditions in the name of political correctness. Though some will view the film as propagandizing for Catholicism, it was General Enrique Gorostieta's (Andy Garcia) motivation in taking on the assignment he was offered that crystallizes the point of the film - it was religious and personal FREEDOM that was under attack. That point is made numerous times throughout the story. For the Cristeros, "Freedom is our lives and we will defend it." One thing the film does that's gratifying is place the story in historical context with the position of the United States during this time. An appearance by President Calvin Coolidge (Bruce McGill) is made with the intent of positioning America's interest in quelling the atrocities on both sides. Ambassador Dwight Morrow (Bruce Greenwood) is dispatched to Mexico because he can 'get things done', and one assumes that America's best interests would be served by halting any interruption in commerce between the two countries. In other words, money over principle, and the sooner the better. For viewers going in with the idea that this will be all action/adventure and rousing gun battles, be prepared for a good dose of human interest scenarios that offer conflicted characters attempting to balance the line between good citizenship and deeply held religious conviction. The story of young Jose Luis Sanchez (Mauricio Kuri) is particularly compelling because of the boy's age (about twelve) and his deep faith in God. Apart from the brutal dictator Calles (Ruben Blades), the character I found to be most reprehensible was Jose's father, who valued his own safety and standing in the community above the life of his own son. There was no way the film makers would have been able to predict the parallels this picture has with current events as they are unfolding today in the midst of a presidential election contest. A gauntlet has been laid down by an administration intent on mandating institutions of faith to set aside their religious convictions in order to insure health care provisions that violate basic precepts regarding birth control, sterilization and abortafacients. It's as much a line drawn in the sand as that portrayed in the film, with a reaction that's awakened and emboldened leaders of religious faith to challenge a government that's become intolerantly secular. And just as in the film, the issue is one involving freedom and the limits of compromise.

This is a movie about heroes who stood up for freedom – in this case, religious freedom. It's not easy to make a heroic film, but this movie comes reasonably close. There are a few awkward camera movements, and some of the younger actors don't always make the most convincing performances. However, the overall effort is quite moving and convincing. Considering these events actually happened and these are historical figures not fictional characters makes the movie that much more compelling. Some reviewers have argued that the movie is "too Catholic." Considering these were Catholics fighting, eventually, fighting violently, for their freedoms, these criticisms reveal more about the reviewers' prejudices and biases than it does about the film. This is an important, thought-provoking film about freedom that should be seen and discussed.

I want to discuss the R rating this movie was given since the rating seems to be a major source of concern for many parents who would like to take their children to see this movie. After having seen For Greater Glory over the weekend I can honestly say this film deserved a PG-13 rating. In fact, thinking about it later that evening, I was highly irritated the movie was given the rating it was given. I felt it was unfair and misleading. I feel very strongly that this is a good and important movie. More films like this need to be made and the only way producers will continue to make these films is if movie goers support them with the purchase of a ticket. Please do not let the R rating deter you. I would not recommend this movie for small children under 10, but certainly it is acceptable for younger viewers 10-17. If you are still unsure then see the movie beforehand and make the call depending on your child's level of sensitivity. You know your child best. Here is what is NOT in this movie…there was not an ounce of nudity, absolutely no sex, no sexual innuendos, no crass humor, or a singular utterance of profanities. Gun violence was prevalent but it was handled without excessive gore or blood. There were several lynchings, one of a child that was hard too watch. However, the gun violence was nothing more than one would see in an old fashioned western. The hardest and most disturbing thing to watch in the entire movie was the martyrdom of Bl. José Sánchez del Río. If anything would give me hesitation to suggest this movie for younger viewers it would be the subject matter of Bl. Jose's death. For a full review read http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thecrescat/2012/06/for-greater-glory- unfairly-rated-r.html

Twenty minutes into this film and I realized how bad a movie can be made. Cellophane characters and many missing elements that can make a movie work. Such stumblings of storyline one after another. Even the stars looked out of any believable fulfillment of their characters. Bad script always leads to bad acting even by good people. When a movie leaves the moviegoer questioning .."What is going on" scene after scene you finally get up and leave in hopes of finding another movie playing that will salvage my time and money spent. My wife and I found another film that, at least, passed the time better. That film was the "Dictator". Not a great improvement but at least we could laugh a few times.

When I first visited Mexico in the late 1960's these events were still spoken of in hushed tones if spoken of at all. It was counseled as healthier never to bring them up as the political descendants of those responsible were still in power and very easily riled. Now they're all dead and we can go see a movie right here in Mexico about what had been erased from the history books for almost 90 years. If only for that reason it's worth seeing, but it has plenty more to offer. The film is entertaining, the cast mostly up to the task, and the director brings it all off with a few rough edges, tho' they aren't enough to get in the way of enjoying the film. Here and there sufficient historical data is presented (the locations and the sets & wardrobe are all 1st rate) to give the audience an idea of just where certain events took place, but in general you'd really have to be up on your Mexican history to know where all this went on, because the fighting mostly took place in just 4 states. Beefs: The film could be shorter without diluting it's impact. Losing 12-18 minutes or so would make it tighter without sacrificing much although its length doesn't kill your interest. I say this because there are scenes that come along, and as you're watching them you just know they aren't necessary to tell the story. The editing here and there could use some going over as at times the film seems to jump back & forth between the adversaries without much finesse. Other comments I've read about this movie rave about the child actor that has the youth lead in the story -an important role- though I find he over-acts. Once I adjusted myself to his mugging it didn't get in the way of the rest of the story. Frankly his taller young friend was more convincing in a much smaller role. One other minor beef: Andy Garcia, who I like in anything, including this, is a bit old to be playing General Gorostieta, who only lived to just over 40. But these are all relatively small potatoes. None of them or even all of them together are reason enough not see the movie. Americans especially just might gain some sorely lacking respect for the intensity of what it has meant to be Mexican in the 20th century.