In 19th-century Italy, young boys work at factories and building sites for starvation wages. One man gathers up as many boys as he can, repeatedly going to the factories and other work places to rescue these children and young men from a life of hardship. Father Bosco (Ben Gazzara), better known to the world as Don Bosco or St. John Bosco, has dedicated his life to the boys and will do anything to show them they are loved. However, like any holy person in history trying to make a difference in society, he meets with stiff opposition from all sides - and some of his adversaries even try to kill him.
Pros: Ben Gazzara plays a great Don Bosco! This movie is not like many other saint biographies - the acting, writing, and costumes, etc., are pretty darn good in this one, as opposed to pretty much all the others I've ever seen.
Cons: Lina (Patsy Kensit) is mildly annoying. She's not a real great actress, and her high-pitched voice rapidly gets annoying. Also, the Latin in the movie seems a little out of whack. Starting Mass on Easter Sunday with the Pater Noster (Our Father)? St. Dominic Savio, one of Don Bosco's boys, isn't in the movie. I guess the filmmakers didn't want anyone to steal Don Bosco's thunder.
My Rating: T (a brothel near Don Bosco's house for boys)
Hey, this sounds interesting! I'm gonna check it out :)
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