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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
James Kennaway (writer)
John Patrick (writer)
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Release Date:
14 November 1968 (USA) more
Plot:
Set in a futuristic vision of the late 1980's, Ukrainian Archbishop Kiril Lakota is set free after two decades as a political prisoner in Siberia... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations more
User Comments:
one of my favorite films more (30 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Anthony Quinn | ... | Kiril Lakota |
 | Laurence Olivier | ... | Piotr Ilyich Kamenev (as Sir Laurence Olivier) |
 | Oskar Werner | ... | Fr. David Telemond |
 | David Janssen | ... | George Faber |
| Vittorio De Sica | ... | Cardinal Rinaldi |
| Leo McKern | ... | Cardinal Leone |
 | John Gielgud | ... | The Elder Pope (as Sir John Gielgud) |
| Barbara Jefford | ... | Dr. Ruth Faber |
| Rosemary Dexter | ... | Chiara |
| Frank Finlay | ... | Igor Bounin |
| Burt Kwouk | ... | Peng |
| Arnoldo Foà | ... | Gelasio |
| Paul Rogers | ... | Augustinian |
| George Pravda | ... | Gorshenin (credit only) |
| Clive Revill | ... | Vucovich |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
As Sandálias do Pescador (Portugal) [pt]
Fiskarens skor (Sweden) [sv]
Fiskerens sko (Denmark) [da]
In den Schuhen des Fischers (West Germany) [de]
Kalastajan kengät (Finland) [fi]
L'uomo venuto dal Cremlino (Italy) [it]
L'uomo venuto dal Kremlino (Italy) [it]
Las sandalias del pescador (Spain) [es]
Les souliers de Saint-Pierre (France) [fr]
Nei panni di Pietro (Italy) [it]
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
162 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | New Zealand:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:G | Argentina:Atp
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Despite being listed in the main credits of the film George Pravda is nowhere to be seen. more
Quotes:
Kiril Lakota: The only thing necessary to the Church is the Spirit of God. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Lionpower from MGM (1967) more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (30 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| The bells | Sean1956 |
| Why was Pope Kiril called 'a Russian Pope?' | laxchief |
| The red socks | geneita |
| Who Was That Actor? | slatbrad-1 |
| opening scene question | sdm91559 |
| Text pls. | Gwion |
Recommendations
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| Fratello sole, sorella luna | The Cardinal | Luther | Angels & Demons | From a Far Country |
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Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
Technically, this is not a great film, but I'm still a sucker for Shoes of the Fisherman. I love its idealism. As a Catholic, I love the vision of courage that this film holds out for the Church -- it is the way I wish it really were. This film has an epic quality to it, with expansive, lavish settings and a rich texture. This is one of the few films I can watch again and again and enjoy every time.
This movie is not without its flaws. The editing is awkward and the film could have been tightened a bit (okay, a lot!). One of the things that bugs me is how the character of Cardinal Rinaldi (the Vatican Secretary of State played by Vittorio De Sica, who is pivotal in the early part of the movie) disappears in the second half without any explanation.
Also, the sub-plot with David Janssen as a philandering television reporter is annoying and superfluous. His only redeeming contribution is in how, during his reports, he provides good exposition about the traditions involved in burying one pope and electing the next.
But these things pale next to Oskar Werner's wonderful, understated perfomance as a philosopher/archeologist/priest who becomes friends with the soon-to-be Pope Kiril. (This character, Fr. David Telemond, is clearly based on Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.) The relationship of suspicion and affection between these two men is very engaging.
Werner has one of the best lines in the film when, after his character is censored by a pontifical commission, he says, "The Church. I hate her, still I cannot leave her. I love her, still I cannot live in her in peace." I think that line is beautiful and sums up the way many Catholics feel!
Finally, I have to say that I am not a big Anthony Quinn fan. I usually found him to be hammy. (I think he got a little too much mileage out of his Zorba schtick!) But in this film, he is wonderfully restrained. He gives a soulful performance as a reluctant hero who has suffered much and now only wants to be left in peace, but who also feels the call of his God and his fellow human beings. In my opinion, even though it is largely ignored by the critics, Quinn gave his best performance in Shoes of the Fisherman.