Educational Media Reviews Online

Pope John Paul II traveled to the American continent 22 times during his papacy and this film provides a short look at some of these trips. Many scenes of the pope and the people he visited are accompanied by commentary by well over a dozen experts, including the head of the Knights of Columbus, priests, journalists, archbishops, U.S. ambassadors to the Vatican, authors, professors, historians, religious, and his biographer George Weigl, as well as other people who were moved by meeting or interacting with him.

Narrated by Andy Garcia, this documentary does not present John Paul’s trips in chronological order, but rather skips around in his life so that some scenes present him as a vigorous young man and others show him in his final years when he had slowed down so much. At all times, the crowds treat him the same, with loud cheers and tears and awe.

The quality of film varies, with some scenes very clear and some grainy. When foreign languages are spoken, English subtitles appear. Words on the screen indicate date and place, which provides helpful information. The scenes themselves include several cities in the United States, as well as South American countries, Central American countries, Canada, and Mexico. The colorful scenes take in people of all types individually and in crowds, the pope addressing the United Nations, and World Youth Days.

Very little of John Paul’s biography is provided, just a brief mention of World War II. The bulk of the film centers on his travels to the Americas and his message of life, dignity, and love. A sizable portion features his effect on countries with dictators, especially Chile, Haiti, and Cuba.

Extras include more commentary by six experts. These are in English with Spanish subtitles.

Ideal for Catholic high schools and colleges, as well as other educational institutions, this film could be used in religious history or religious studies classes. Anyone interested in this pope, who had one of the longest papacies, would be the target audience, so public libraries could also consider it for their patrons.