THE MIRACLE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

(director: John Brahm; screenwriters: Crane Wilbur/James O’Hanlon; cinematographer: Edwin DuPar; editor: Thomas Reilly; music: Max Steiner; cast: Gilbert Roland (Hugo da Silva), Angela Clarke (Maria Rosa dos Santos), Frank Silvera (Arturo, Administrator of the Province), Jay Novello (Antonio dos Santos), Richard Hale (Father Ferreira), Norman Rice (Manuel Marto), Frances Morris (Olimpia Marto), Carl Millitaire (Magistrate), Susan Whitney (Lucia dos Santos), Sherry Jackson (Jacinta Marto), Sammy Ogg (Francisco Marto); Runtime: 103; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Bryan Foy; Warner Brothers; 1952)

“This one is for the true believer in Catholicism not a reprobate like myself.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Clumsy religious film, based on a true incident. This one is for the true believer in Catholicism not a reprobate like myself. The provocative drama tells the story of three Portuguese farm children, the cousins Susan Whitney, Sherry Jackson and Sammy Ogg, from the village of Fatima. They report that in 1917 the Virgin Mary appeared as an apparition to them and told them to spread the word that she exists and that they should return to a certain spot on the 13th day of each month. On October 13 of that year, several miraculous events were alleged to have occurred. Gilbert Roland is the adult friend to the children witnesses, who advises them to zip up their lips about what they saw because the church and government considers such visions controversial and will give the kids a hard time about it.

Director John Brahm(“Bengazi”/”Hot Rods to Hell”/”The Locket”) offers a sympathetic look at such believers.

Warner Bros. saw a chance to cash in on this incident when during the “Holy Year” of 1951 many pilgrims flocked to the village of Fatima to witness the miracles for themselves.

REVIEWED ON 10/6/2015 GRADE: C+