The film was shown to the Pope at Castelgandolfo, and the reaction was positive. To those who are well versed with the life of Augustine some scenes and personalities in the film, unfortunately, appeared to lack solid historical bases. It is presumed that sacrifices had to be made for the sake of entertainment and the visual effects that are required by the story. Expert Augustinologists as well as students were surprised, for example, by the saint’s rejection of his father. The strong contrasts between the positive and the negative attitudes in relation to Monica and Ambrose also caught their attention. But the mother of Adeodatus, son of Augustine, is presented as figure of humanness.
The Press
L’Osservatore Romana offers positive reviews. In spite of the fact that the film has details that detract from history, the article gives it the title: “Right man in the right time”. One can read, for example: “Augustine appears in this film more in his political rather than theological dimension, more in his human rather than priestly dimension.”
El Corriere della Sera, aside from discussing the film, advertizes works about St. Augustine that have been published by Città Nuova, this having been compared with the Biblioteca de Autores Cristiano (BAC) of Spain. The title of the article is, “Augustine, saint of the global age.” This newspaper says that the Pope has defined the film as “a great representation of the life of the saint, although underscoring the distance of Augustine’s spiritual journey from that of our time.”
The daily, La Repubblica, gives the widest coverage to the film. Two pages with full colors and two long articles with various photos of St. Augustine and the movie. The title of the article is, “Augustine, a life of romance or better, of fiction.” The newspaper says of the saint, “The author of the Confessions, with his youth of pleasure among women, wine and other excesses, is impressive a figure. And with his contradictions is perhaps the father of the Church who is closest to our sensibility.” The other article has this to say: “Fiction is fiction. It can touch one or the other extreme of the invention: an Augustine that has been invented full of actions and emotions will lead you home, just like a fascinating fiction, or simply a possible Augustine, but more probable than a picture of truth… And in spite of having lived more than a thousand years ago he can help us resolve many of our doubts at present.” The information also includes an interview with the principal actor, Alessandro Preziosi, wherein he shared a personal testimony: “I, from vicious to converted youth…” He affirms that the society of the Roman Empire reminds in a way the present society.
Personalities / Technicality
Franco Nero gives life to the saint in his advanced years, while Alessandro Preziosi incarnates the young Augustine, including his love affairs with a woman (Khalida) interpreted by Serena Rossi. Monica Guerritore plays the role of St. Monica, mother of the saint and patron of suffering mothers. Andrea Giordana plays the role of Bishop Ambrose, as man of character and teacher of Augustine. And Vincent Riotta portrays the pagan orator, Macrobius.
The movie was made by Lux Vide/Rai Fiction, the Bayerischer Rundfunk/Tellux Film, Eos entertainment Rai Trade and Grupa Filmanova Baltmedia and was directed by Christian Duguay.