"Conclave" depicts the process of electing the pope's successor accurately, yet portrays the church as 'primitive' according to an expert's analysis.
Let's Dish on Conclave's Depiction of the Pope-Choosing Drama
In the ensuing days since Pope Francis' death, viewership of the film "Conclave" - depicting the selection of a new pontiff - has surged. But how much of this award-winning flick aligns with reality?
Jonathan Morris, our theologian and contributor, breaks down the accuracy of the movie on 'America's Newsroom'. According to Morris, "Conclave was accurate regarding the timeline, sequence of events, and assembly of cardinals, as well as the general procedure of electing a pope."
Some scenes, however, were sensationalized for dramatic effect. Jesuit priest, Rev. Bryan Pham, notes that the film is "a Hollywood movie that wants to be sensational, creates potential scandals for shock value to make money." Pham was a graduate student in Rome during the last conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013.
Ralph Fiennes stars as the cardinal in charge of the conclave, with Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, and John Lithgow rounding out the cast. Pham saw the real conclave as "an extraordinary experience," but acknowledged that parts of the movie "sensationalized the centuries-old ritual."
Morris adds that the film "gets some of the details of the ritual right" and finds the cinematography and actors commendable, exclaiming, "Isabella Rossellini deserved a more prominent role!"
Our contributor Raymond Arroyo, who has witnessed three conclaves and is heading to Rome for this one, attributes the spike in viewership to the topicality of the subject, stating, "The visuals, rituals, and ceremony of the church surrounding the election of a pope are fascinating."
Amazon Prime made the movie available for free on its streaming service after Pope Francis' death. Arroyo suggests that a superior film on the same topic is "The Shoes of the Fisherman" (1968), starring Anthony Quinn, which he deems "more gripping and dramatic."
Experts agree that "Conclave is a solid approximation of the secretive papal election process, with accurate depictions of the voting process, smoke signals, security measures, and setting." However, bear in mind that some elements have been dramatized for cinematic effect.
The surging viewership of the film "Conclave" can be attributed to its timely depiction of the papal election process. While the film is accurate in many aspects such as the timeline, events, and cardinals involved, it also adds a sensationalist touch for dramatic effect, as noted by Rev. Bryan Pham. Given the outstanding performances by actors like Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, and John Lithgow, the film's cinematography is commendable. However, it's important to remember that certain elements have been dramatized for a more engaging viewing experience. If you're looking for another compelling film on the topic, "The Shoes of the Fisherman" (1968) is worth a watch.
