Fatima (2020) User Reviews

but Mama, it's the truth

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 27 August 2020]

Greetings again from the darkness. I'm not Catholic and did not grow up learning much about Catholicism. However, I have heard the story of Fatima, Portugal and the 3 young shepherds who claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary. Writer-Director Marco Pontecorvo and co-writers Valerio D'Annunzio and Barbara Nicolosi deliver a dutiful re-telling of the events that led up to the Miracle of the Sun.

The movie begins in 1989 as Professor Nicols (Harvey Keitel) visits Sister Lucia (Sonia Braga), now an octogenarian, at her nunnery. The professor is quite the skeptic, but it's crucial to his new book project that he question the Sister about what she experienced in 1917. We then flash back to that era when 10 year old Lucia (Stephanie Gil) and her cousins, 7 year old Jacinto (Alejandra Howard) and 8 year old Francisco (Jorge Lamelas) are youngsters working as shepherds for the family flock of sheep. One day, a vision appears to the three children. It's the Virgin Mary (Joana Ribeiro) offering words of hope and a request for praying and strong faith.

Of course kids are kids, so their secret gets spilled almost immediately. As you would expect, no one believes them. Not their family or those in the small Portugal village. The townspeople gather regularly in the square to hear the Mayor (Goran Visnjic) read the names of the local boys and men who have been killed in war. It's a gut-wrenching occurrence for all involved, and yet another opportunity for the mean-spirited folks to accuse the kids of lying about what they've seen. The local priest (Joaquim de Almeida) tries to frighten them out of the story, and even Lucia's mother (Lucia Moniz) scolds and belittles her.

"The faith of a child" has rarely been more evident than with young Lucia. She stays strong despite being ostracized by the villagers, the church, and even her family. The film makes clear observation about faith and religion. What is religion but believing and having faith in something intangible - something that can't be seen or touched. Director Pontecorvo delivers a faith-based film, yet one that is not preachy. It does make us wonder why the religious leaders are themselves so lacking in true faith, and why the politician is envious of the youngsters who draw an audience. Photographs of that day in 1917 ... the "Miracle of the Sun" ... are shown as part of the closing credits, while Andrea Bocelli's remarkable voice sings out. It's a low-budget film with some overacting (from adults), but the message and the performance of young Stephanie Gil make it worthwhile.

more drama than I expected

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 18 January 2021]

It's 1917 Fátima, Portugal. The government is a progressive democracy and war is taking the lives of the town's young men. A heavenly apparition appears before three young kids and they are told to return each month. Father Ferreira (Joaquim de Almeida) is concerned and the mayor Arturo (Goran Visnjic) is desperate to get them to recant. The oldest child, Lucia, has her mother who is struggling with her belief and her oldest son away at war. In modern times, Professor Nichols (Harvey Keitel) is writing a book about the incident and interviews Lucia who is a nun in a convent.

I never considered Fatima as a dramatic event. I assumed that everybody accepted the kids' visions. I guess that I never thought about it too deeply. With war, religion, and politics all mixed together, the drama should have been more apparent to me. That and the personal family trauma is the best part of the movie. The drama comes from Lucia resisting the testing of her faith. That's the heart of everything. The more devoted would want some digging into the three secrets. I don't know that it matters to the themes of the movie. It's academic rather than touching the emotions of the drama. I would cut back on the modern interview. It could bookend the movie but it really doesn't add that much. It's about the kids and their faith.

Wonderful Relevant True Story

[ScottBang · 29 August 2020]

Great movie and again relevant for our times. Shows us that in the face of a pandemic, strife, suffering and socialism run amok that faith can conquer all. Whether is be 1917 or 2020, Our Lady STILL cares and draws us to salvation and her Son. Well constructed with a great cast...the child actors are honestly some of the best I have ever seen. So moving and so believable. Everyone involved should be proud of this movie.

Fatima (2020): A Strong Film; An Unfaithful Adaption

[mjm-30272 · 6/10 · 9 November 2020]

As the most famous apparition of Our Lady in the twentieth century the appearances of Our Lady to the shepherd children of Fatima, Portugal have been profiled in various forms, including the books "Our Lady of Fatima" by William Thomas Walsh and "Fatima in Lucia's Own Words" written by the longest surviving seer. However, though the story of Fatima has been told through film various times including documentaries, only two films have been distributed through Hollywood, the 1952 classic "The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima", starring Susan Whitney as Lucia Santos, and this years "Fatima", recently released October 27th on DVD.

Written by Valerio D'Annunzio, Barbara Nicolosi (whose original screenplay was reportedly butchered of most of it's Catholic material) and by Marco Pontecorvo, who also directs, "Fatima" stars Stephanie Gil as Lucia, who in the films prologue is visited by the Angel of Portugal, played by Ivone Fernandes-Jesus, while drawing on a cave wall. The Angel shows Lucia a vision of the ongoing World War including Lucia's own brother, Manuel, in battle. To quell Lucia's fears after seeing the vision, the Angel teaches Lucia a brief prayer: "I believe. I have hope. And I love God." The Angel departs instructing Lucia to pray for peace.

It is after this prologue that the film's proper begins as the framing device for the story of Fatima to be told is introduced, one almost alike to that used in 2000's "Padre Pio: Miracle Man". It is 1989 and the fictional Professor Nichols, played by Harvey Keitel, is on his way to visit Sr. Lucia, played as an adult by Sonia Braga, in order to interview her for a book he is writing. Just as the Inquisitor in "Padre Pio: Miracle Man", who comes to interrogate Padre Pio, Keitel's character is skeptical of the story he has heard associated with Sr. Lucia, believing in essence that visionaries are mentally ill. When Professor Nichols asks Sr. Lucia whether she has any regrets regarding her life, Sr. Lucia's answer that she hasn't done enough to please her mother, launches the central conflict of the film: how is Lucia to please her earthly mother, Maria Rosa and the heavenly mother, played by Joana Ribeiro.

From here, the film tells the story of Lucia's memories, of the appearances of Our Lady to Lucia and her cousins, Jacinta and Francisco, and how the apparitions affected them and their families hitting the familiar plot points. However, it is the films telling of the story, particularly its omissions from the official history of Fatima, as recorded in Sr. Lucia's memoirs and various books, as well as additions for the sake of artistic license that cause the film to suffer as a faithful adaption of this story and message. One of the changes involves Lucia's brother fighting in the Great War (historically Lucia's brother was not in the war, rather it was the older brother of Jacinta and Francisco who was), which results in Lucia and her mother, Maria Rosa, going to the town of Fatima on the 13th of every month (the children lived in the village of Aljustrel in Fatima's vicinity) to hear the names of the soldiers who are listed as missing-in-action or dead, praying that Manuel's name won't be among them. Another change is the lack of involvement of Jacinta and Francisco in the story overall. Though they are present at the interrogations and the apparitions most of the film focuses on Lucia and her family rather than on the relationship between the three children.

However, changes such as these pale in comparison to one of the major omissions of the film as well as the choices made in depicting the Mayor of Ourem who kidnaps the children and the change regarding the request of Our Lady of Fatima for penance. Amongst various omissions made regarding the message of Fatima and what the children were shown (Our Lady walks on the ground rather than standing on the tree, as reported by the children, the Angel of Portugal appears to Lucia alone and does not give her Holy Communion etc.) is the crucial omission of the mention of Russia and the spreading of its errors around the world, which Our Lady warned the children of during the third apparition on July 13th, 1917. The elimination of Russia and the evils of Communism from the third apparition (they do depict the vision of Hell and the vision of a Pope being assassinated) are especially damaging in light of recent world events that are driving the Western World toward socialism and forward to Communist ideology. This direction of the western world is caused by years of millennials being made ignorant about the crimes of communism due to lack of education on the history of the Communist era in schools, both High School and Universities. By eliminating mention of Russia and the spread of its errors, the film becomes part of the problem.

There are also two major changes made in translation of the story to this film that also result in problems for the film. One of these changes is in the depiction of the Mayor of Ourem. As told in Sr. Lucia's memoirs and previous versions of the Fatima story, the Mayor of Ourem, Artur de Olivera Santos, was an evil man who not only abducted the children, as depicted in the film, but also locked them in prison with real prisoners (in the film Lucia is placed in solitary confinement) and threatened them with death via boiling oil (this part of their suffering was allegedly removed as to not scare child viewers). Fatima however depicts the Mayor and his wife in a fashion similar to the depiction of Pontius Pilate and his wife, Claudia Procles in The Passion of the Christ. In addition, Artur Santos was a Freemason, an organization strongly condemned by the Catholic Church, but this is not made mention of. The film's failure to portray the suffering the children underwent as a result of the Mayor not only undermines their heroism but undercuts the real dramatic tension found in the stories official history.

A final change made in the translation of the official history of Fatima to this film which has severe effects on the story is the elimination and undercutting of the penances the children undertook freely in reparation for sins. Lucia writes in her memoirs of how she and her cousins would go days without water, whip themselves with nettles, and eat acorns rather than eat the lunches their mothers gave them, all to save sinners from hell. Lucia also writes of how the children would wear ropes around their waists as penance. In the film we do see Lucia, in an act of emotional desperation, tie a rope around her waist, however in a subsequent apparition, the film's Blessed Mother tells the children not to hurt themselves with ropes, which not only contradicts the official history but also results in the children being depicted as if they are self-mutilators. This change also downplays the sometimes-difficult spirituality of Fatima.

These omissions and changes, though serious and damaging to the film, do not result in the film having nothing positive to be said for it. The film does note numerous times the request of Our Lady to say the Rosary daily as well, as previously noted, including the vision of hell and even a depiction of Our Lady's immaculate heart pierced with thorns due the sins committed against it. The music, by Paolo Buonvino, who also scored 2000's "Padre Pio: Miracle Man", is great as well as the costumes and cinematography. The songs sung by Andrea Bocelli are also a great asset to the film's soundtrack. The acting in the film is fairly solid as well. Admittedly, the film is engaging and does work as a film on its own merits. However, as an adaption of the Fatima story to the screen, the film suffers severely.

In an era where well-made Catholic (or Christian) films are difficult to find (Both Pureflix and most Italian Saint films sold by Ignatius Press fail as these) Fatima succeeds as a well-made film. Unfortunately however, the omissions and artistic licence taken with the official story of Fatima result in an unfaithful adaption of an important story to the big screen. I would encourage anyone watching this film to seek out both the memoirs written by Sr. Lucia as well as the books "Our Lady of Fatima" by William Thomas Walsh and "The Immaculate Heart: The True Story of Fatima" by Fr. John deMarchi. In addition, the films "Apparitions at Fatima", directed by Daniel Costelle and sold by the International Secretariat of Fatima as well as the documentary "Fatima: A Message of Hope", viewable on Amazon Prime are also great resources to learn the truth about this important story!

The Essence of the Message was Missing!

[m_duska-23151 · 6/10 · 30 August 2020]

While the on site location of Portugal was well chosen, and the costumes were convincing, and the parts that where touched upon were done with care, including the miracle of the sun. Yet in reality everyone stated how after a torrential downpour all their clothes and the ground were dry after the miracle! The director totally missed that opportunity.

There were some other shortcomings as well. The conversion of Russia from Atheistic Communism was never mentioned. The consecration of Russia by the Holy Father in union with the Bishops was so key to the message of Fatima but was completely left out. The warning that if the consecration was not done in time, Russia would continue to spread her errors around the globe, which would lead to the the loss of millions of souls, and the annihilation of nations was also missing. Also absent from the film was that the consecration would be done, but it would be late. There were three secrets of Fatima, but the movie only mentioned one.

I would have done away with the flash forward scenes which really had very little to do with the actual events at Fatima to focus on some of the missing parts of the apparition itself. The appearance of the Blessed Mother was actually a little underwhelming, even if the actress chosen served the part well.

A Definite Must-See for those of the Catholic Faith

[rannynm · 10/10 · 25 August 2020]

Fatima is a definite must-see film for those of the Catholic faith. A phenomenal period masterpiece that pulls at your heartstrings. A film that should not be missed. Fatima brings light to a true story that many do not know.

Fatima tells the true story of three young children who met the Virgin Mary and were witnesses of "The Miracle of the Sun." The movie opens up with Professor Nichols (Harvey Keitel) as he visits Sister Lucia (Sonia Braga) in a nunnery in 1989. They talk about the happenings from Lucia's past in 1917 Fatima, Portugal. The film goes back and forth between both years. We see a young Lucia (Stephanie Gil) with her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto (Jorge Lamelas and Alejandra Howard) meet the Virgin Mary (Joana Ribeiro). After that fateful day, the story breaks out and the children are faced with a harsh reality.

The true standouts of Fatima are its young actors. Stephanie, Jorge and Alejandra show the struggle of being called "liars" when telling the truth. The kids are called out by their parents and are given the cold shoulder by many in the village. This never stops them-they stand by the truth with faith in their hearts. The movie concludes with The Miracle of the Sun which happened on October thirteenth, 1917, followed by actual photos of that day. The makeshift monument that was built in the movie is an exact replica of the monument in the photograph. It is appealing to see how much filmmakers worked on small yet important details such as this one.

The lesson to be learned from the film is to always have faith and believe in your truth. Time and time again, Lucia faces anger from her mother, who believes her daughter is lying about meeting Mary. Not once does Lucia give up, however; and she always prays, standing by her word. The topic of the Catholic faith may disinterest some audiences who do not share the same views. Considering that Fatima features the Virgin Mary, Catholicism is front and center in the movie.

I give Fatima 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 14 to 18 plus adults. Reviewed by Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Wonder

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 19 September 2022]

No pun intended - and I do not mean to belittle anyone. Believer or not - this is I reckon more on the side of the believers of course. But that aside, it is a story of what happens, when a story goes out to the world and how people react to it. Not just the community it happened in - but of course the forces within meeting the forces from outside.

Good acting, some interesting ... dare I say cameos too. Always great to see Harvey Keitel - but of course this is about the kids. The kids who are certain they saw something. This is based on a true story if I got the ending right and the text that puts this in perspective.

Engaging - but not everyones cup of tea. If the story compels you (no pun intended and no connection to another "religious" movie) watch it - otherwise maybe stay away from it.

No harm done here, a classic.

[paulbanks60 · 10/10 · 29 August 2020]

Other reviews will have you belive its all about te harm this film does...it doesn't!

A timeless classic that leaves you feeling happy, thoughtful and reflective.

Id have thought the soothsayers would have better things to write instead of focusing on all the negatives, as if we didn't have enough of that in the world already.

A beautiful, well made film, two thumbs up!

Beautiful

[Skipfishh · 7/10 · 24 October 2023]

Honestly, I liked it, even though it wasn't perfect. One of the most beautiful and well-made religious films I've ever seen, mainly due to the quality of the actors, young Stephanie Gil is brilliant, and the children Alejandra Howard and Jorge Lamelas are also perfect, the adult cast also does a great job. Setting and ambience are realistic, it manages to portray place and time well, soundtrack is pleasant, direction and production have good quality, in short, a lot of good things. The only thing that slips is the script, which is confusing, it skips several moments of the real story, and anyone who doesn't know it will feel quite confused, especially in the last third, where there is an even greater void in the details of the real facts, leaving out a lot of things.

I think this is a movie where spoilers might be useful for those who don't know the real story. It's worth doing some search on the internet and reading a little about it, in order to watch the film knowing how everything happened, it's the only way to not get lost with the final part of the film and understand that a lot was excluded from the script.

Rating 7 out of 10, it could be an even higher rating if it weren't for the problem I mentioned above.

Eh

[sasnak29 · 5/10 · 2 September 2020]

I saw the original movie "Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima" - I've read a lot about this event over the years. This new movie's cinematography was good. Some things were left out of the original story...the threat from the authorities to boil the kids in oil if they did not tell the truth, what happened to the apparition for September? (never shown in this movie). Also - the ending - the miracle of the sun was shown as just a bright shining sun giving off a few colors and did not appear "dramatic" at all. Historical documentation show that people saw the sun "dance in a zig zag" pattern and move all around while shining off a magnitude of colors over everyone and the landscape. There were also miraculous healings directly after the miracle that this movie also did not depict. For these reasons, I give the film a 5 out of 10. I enjoyed the original 1950's movie better.

Uplifting

[jeffrey-882-124008 · 10/10 · 29 August 2020]

Powerful true story about the apparitions of Mary at Fatima. I honestly can't understand anything under a 9 or 10. Production values top notch. Acting and casting superb. And there's Andre bocelli singing. I think atheists are downgrading without watching

Good in part, but suffers from embellishments.

[mDanHam · 6/10 · 19 March 2021]

The story of Our Lady of Fatima is one that deserves to be dramatized on film accurately, without embellishments, in state-of-the-art Hollywood fashion.

I don't know why moviemakers can't tell a story like this the way it actually happened, or, in this case, the way Sister Lucia relates it. Always there has to be some alteration or omission. Writers seem to have a need to put their own creative touch on what is already a compelling story.

For instance, here they do mention the Angel's appearance a year prior to Our Lady's appearance, but it is portrayed inaccurately. It wasn't in a cave, as in this film, and in reality he came three times, even giving the children Communion on one visit, leaving a chalice suspended in midair while he did so. You'd think this could be a pretty impressive cinematic image to portray, so one can only wonder what the fiilmmakers were thinking. Likewise, after the miracle of the sun, everyone discovered their clothes to be dry, even though it had been raining. This aspect is omitted.

Otherwise, parts of this movie are very good, and effective. The vision of hell is shown, which was not mentioned in the 1950's version, as is the notorious "third secret." All of the acting is excellent and the children are believable. The film is best during the first 40 minutes or so, then it meanders too much and falls apart. More emphasis should have been placed on the actual apparitions and messages, less on incidental or fictionalized events like Lucia wandering around looking at the sky dreamily for no apparent reason. Framing the narrative as an interview by a skeptical journalist with an aged Sister Lucia is unnecessary and doesn't help anything.

But the producers deserve credit for making this movie at all, and for relating the basic events of these supernatural visions, in our modern age of cynicism and unbelief. I just wish they'd stick to the facts.

Disappointing

[IMDBjncn · 3/10 · 7 May 2021]

I'll be brief. Lackluster performances, great gaps in the story, a complete failure to intimate the awesome experiences of these children. I am amazed at the incompetent portrayal of an event that rocked the world in 1917, foretold of the horrors to come, and left its impact on 2 generations of Catholics and other believers. A waste of time. Go rent the 1952 version. It's more factual and the events much more effectively depicted..

It was 1917 in Portugal, young Lucia has visions from Heaven.

[TxMike · 17 January 2021]

The events near Fatima in Portugal are well known historically, culminating with what has come to be called "The Miracle of the Sun", where a crowd of about 70,000 were in a heavy storm when it suddenly cleared up and the grounds dried.

This movie ends with that but actually starts in more modern times when Sister Lucia as an old woman is telling her story to a historian. Then we see the 1917 story in flashbacks. The movie is very well made with mostly veteran actors and can be enjoyed whether or not the viewer believes in the religious aspect of it.

I must comment about young actress Stephanie Gil (about 12) who is in the lead role as Lucia. She is really good and I was struck with her comments on the DVD extra, she sounds like a typical American girl, with no accent at all. In fact she is Spanish and I had to look up a video of her being interviewed in Spanish and yes, she speaks perfect Spanish too. I hope to see her in future roles, she is a talented young actress.

My wife and I watched it on DVD from the public library.

A good attempt with Fatima

[gcjc1960 · 7/10 · 5 September 2020]

The 2020 version is a good attempt at telling the story of Fatima. However, many details were omitted which will leave the audience, who may not know the story well, scratching their heads in confusion. Far more could have been done to better explain what happened during the Miracle of the Sun.

Could have been better

[warrenandysmith · 7/10 · 29 August 2020]

Overall a fair depiction of the events occurring in the Cova De Iria in Fatima Portugal in 1917. What was lacking was enough emphasis on the messages from the Blessed Mother, including the imploring of the Pope to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart and the consequences of that inaction which are very apparent in the world today. The Blessed Mother although beautifully portrayed, appeared "earthy" walking around on the ground barefoot and very unlike how the young shepherds described her as appearing standing on a cloud hovering over a holly bush with a specific sort of mantel and crown about her head. I also felt the movie was more centered around the seers and their family dynamics, particularly that of Lucia and her mother. The climatic "miracle of the sun" was brief and underwhelming and did not even address the appearance of St Joseph and the infant Jesus at that event. If this movie inspires an unbeliever to learn more about this event, then it is well worth the effort.

Fatima

[a_aguayo · 10/10 · 28 August 2020]

Great movie must watch! Could of been longer with even more detail

Wonderful New Film

[carlos512 · 7/10 · 1 September 2020]

This is a beautifully-made film about The three Kids, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco who saw Our Holy Lady of Fatima in 1917.

I loved the cinematography, the way the story was told and the acting, especially, the wonderful performance of young Spaniard actress Estefania Gil, owner of fantastic grace and artistic talent.

Truly, this movie is for anyone, kids and adults, its an adorable message to the world, especially during the difficult times that we live in, and praying the Holy Rosary is a blessing in our lives.

The story of Fatima told in a beautiful film production

[djlaflam · 10/10 · 29 August 2020]

As practicing Catholics, my wife and I could not wait to see this movie, and we were not disappointed. While there are a few minor details that are omitted (two of the miracles, other Fatima prayers), it is a beautifully produced and authentic film. Because of the subject matter -- and the need for faith and belief in the story of Fatima -- I can understand why non-believers would not rate this movie highly, but then again I do not think much the trash that spews out Hollywood these days.

A must watch movie!

[sasijunior · 7/10 · 12 September 2020]

The events unfolded well but left out important details of the interrogation of children. The account of the miracle of the sun was too short.

It's a must watch movie for all the faithful. It has additional version of Sr. Lucia's account during her convent life. There's some sense of humour.

The 1952 Version is Better

[ryapo · 2/10 · 30 August 2020]

I was hoping this version would give more details, instead it seemed like it was rushed and shortened. Before you go and rent or pay for this movie, watch the 1952 version "The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima".

I Believe

[David241 · 10/10 · 28 August 2020]

So happy this story was told again by film in 2020. So much Hate, Pain, and Evil in our world today.

Attaches Tightly

[Zac_La_Porte · 7/10 · 22 February 2022]

Fatima is extraordinarily powerful and moving, definitely a presentation of historical events that will bring believers closer to God and faith. This may seem like your typical but true story of the children being right and the grown-ups not believing them, but it's very affecting, uplifting and well-constructed in depicting the events of young shepherds who meet the Virgin Mary.

The three young child characters enrolled by under-noticed and talented actors are definitely the stars of the movie. Other than the brilliant cinematography and the beautiful shots from the work of masterful director Marco Pontecorvo, the performances from the leading cast are extremely memorable.

Fatima's execution is utterly astounding, which is honestly a fair surprise considering it's foreseeable that the screenplay is actually kind of weak. Somehow, the cast's performances and Pontecorvo's direction heightened the impact of the film and lead it to be more compelling. If it weren't for the final result, Fatima probably would've failed.

If you liked this review, check out the full review and other reviews at aussieboyreviews.

Fatima

[gmoney-60592 · 4/10 · 30 August 2020]

The older version "Our Lady of Fatima" was better made. This version seemed rushed and the actors seemed like they wanted to hurry up and get the movie done. Would recommend the movie "The Song of Bernadette" over this one if you're looking for a better made movie in the same genre.

Very inaccurate telling of an actual event.

[ijf-88345 · 10 September 2020]

The wording and some visuals of the apparitions are riddled with inaccuracies. The words of Our Lady have been altered or omitted leading to misconceptions in the messages. It would seem any Catholic input on this film must have come from those ingrained in the 'Novus Ordo' or with modernist tendencies. Ok film, but NOT an historically accurate account of the Fatima apparitions and messages. Which begs the question: why make the film in the first place, if historical-correctness isn't taken into account? The 'Miracle of the Sun' was one of the most publicly-witnesses miracles known, with some accounts claiming as many as 100,000 people witnessed the event. The Fatima Apparitions are not really open to 'interpretation', so again, why make a film with changed/omitted messages, when we KNOW what was said? Very suspect.