......coming to theaters near you June 1st, the story of Mexican Cristeros...........
Caution: Powerful film examines faith, persecution
Ed Vitagliano - Guest Columnist - 5/30/2012 2:15:00 PM
For centuries, Christians have wrestled with the questions of how their faith should impact culture and how far they should go to promote a righteous and just society. For Greater Glory, a film arriving in theaters June 1, dives head first into such thorny issues.
This powerful film examines the response of Catholics in Mexico in the mid to late 1920s to growing persecution. Plutarco Calles, the president of Mexico, instituted severe restrictions on the Catholic Church -- restrictions which turned increasingly violent. The film shows priests being executed by hanging and by firing squad, churches being desecrated and worshipers shot by soldiers during services.
Catholics in the country divided over whether to respond to this persecution by accepting their suffering or by armed revolt. Many Catholics chose the latter, fearing that secularists aimed to exterminate their faith altogether. The result was the "Cristero" Rebellion -- a term that derived from the loyalty of the rebels to "Cristo Rey," or "Christ the King."
For Greater Glory clearly presents the Cristero Rebellion as the proper response to Calles' efforts, although it is also shows the courage of those priests who preferred martyrdom to armed conflict. In addition, the film demonstrates that sometimes violence gets out of hand -- even in the service of a noble cause.
For Greater Glory is well-written, fast-paced and has some star power, with Andy Garcia, Eva Longoria, and Peter O'Toole headlining it.
There is plenty of violence -- it's a war movie after all -- and for that reason it is rated R. There is no profanity, but the film does include lots of drinking and smoking, and one scene where women are shown in undergarments (of the time period) as they seek to hide ammunition intended for the Cristeros.
The message of the Cristeros is summarized by one character's statement: "We are an army fighting for God and the church and for freedom." The viewer must wrestle -- as the film does -- with whether or not such a motive is proper for a Christian.