The Scarlet and the Black
Recommended. Age: 13+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
A true story of a priest who risked his life for strangers and then forgave the man who hunted him. Gregory Peck's O'Flaherty is bold, plain spoken, and holy without being soft. The film shows the Church sheltering the persecuted and Pius XII standing with his priest. The ending, Kappler's baptism at O'Flaherty's hands, is history, not Hollywood. Only reservation: TV-film production and a thin score.
For parents
Teens and up; mature 11 year olds can handle it. Some gunfire, executions off screen, a priest shot. Talk about why O'Flaherty struggles to forgive Kappler and what finally moves him, and why baptism is the right end to the story. CCC 2844 on forgiving enemies fits perfectly.