The Third Miracle (1999)

See Peter Heeling's comment Aug 2003 and you will find some brevity that lends great commentary and thought regarding this fine movie. I liked your comment immensely Mr. Heeling. Now, of course it doesn't cover everything without rendering the movie away. Sometimes we find a really good movie that is entertaining, thought provoking, and a work that sets up some serious adversaries played by actors with superior talent. As a great fan of Ed Harris' and Armin Mueller-Stahls, what more can one ask for. The Brilliant yet confused American Priest Postulate vs the just as confused yet in a different way, the haughty German Bishop played to the hilt perfectly by Mueller-Stahl. We just love it when he displays his "I got you last" comments on Priest/Postulate Ed Harris who is just as tenacious, maybe even more so. Harris is backed up by his corner man,his Bishop played by Ed Haid who really almost steals the entire show. You must see these guys at work with the wonderful bantering, the fight for the win. The cigar smoking, whiskey drinking Bishop Cahill played by Charles Haid just cracks the perfect fire on top of the candle. Yes, this cast is not to be missed within fabulous dialog, encompassing thought provoking plot and themes, voices raised up and miracles, well I wouldn't know about that. Would I? To top it off we get a gander at a terrifically beautiful up and coming actress, Ms, Caterina Scorsone. She is wonderfully messed up in her part, and yes a well done job delivering her roll. One really can not ask for a more enjoyable film. Everything seems to fit and yet the mysteries still remain throughout very nicely. One can not leave out a comment on an absolutely enchanting musical score. While this is a great movie, it certainly would not be as good without the finely tuned musical score that plays throughout. A copy of which, I can not find. Please notify your fellow movie lover and IMDb supporter if you know where I can get a copy of he score. Come to think of it Turner Classic Movies and this fabulous web site IMDb, are definitely two of the finer additions to the digital age and the world at large.

Being a non-Catholic and an atheist, I was wary of this film. I needn't have been. The church and its trappings are just a backdrop to a powerful and haunting story of human relationships. Although the idea of debunking miracles is an engaging backstory, this film is really character-driven. Ed Harris and Ann Heche are spectacular, and so are many of the supporting cast. The final scene and the enigma of the "third miracle" is just part of what makes this film so special. It's also nice to see that the F/X budget was kept to a minimum although the potential was there to overwhelm the acting. If you need car chases, spinning heads and projectile vomiting, this isn't the film for you. But if you can make do with 3-dimensional characters, lots of tension and an intriguing premise, this film will more than satisfy you. The only caution would be: Catholics beware. The Church comes across as far from infallible.

Ed Harris and Anne Heche display fabulous performances in The Third Miracle, and this, instead of the plot and storyline, made the movie. What the film and possibly Catholic dogmatics err on is their failure to acknowledge the very scriptural definition of "faith" (Hebrews 11:1). Faith should not at all be based on signs and miracles, even though Jesus and God often employed visible miracles. However, miracles are employed not to bring faith, but to authenticate divinity before unbelievers. Faith only comes from hearing God's Word, sharing in the Eucarist and baptism. The film fails grossly in separating the true meaning of faith and miracles.Aside from erroneous Christian dogmatics, the film and research team failed to get their facts straight on the events that occurred in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia in 1944. Banska Bystrica was controlled only by the Slovak Army throughout 1944. The German Army only occupied Banska Bystrica in October 1944 after they crushed the Slovak National Uprising whose headquarters was in Banska Bystrica. The German Air Force bombed Banska Bystrica between September and October 1944. The Americans never bombed Banska Bystrica in 1944. In fact, the Americans flew in to an airport just south of Banska Bystrica (Tri Duby) several B-17 fortresses with war matériel in support of the insurgent Slovak Army during the Slovak National Uprising in September and October 1944. On August 20, 1944, the 15th USAF flew bombing missions over Banska Bystrica to bomb an oil refinery at Dubová just 20 km NE of Banska Bystrica, but never dropped bombs on Banska Bystrica. (See http://www.muzeumsnp.sk/WWW-USA-nov%E1/USA-GB-oprava.htm for greater detail.) Banska Bystrica was finally liberated from Nazi control in March 1945, and if there was any bombing of Banska Bystrica in 1945, it was performed by the Soviet Air Force.

The third miracle is a well written tale with a great touch of sentiment. A priest saying G*DD*MN*D is like lung doctor lighting a cigarette, provoking, like a movie of this kind should be. It's meant to leave something to think about, for me it was commitment of an individual priest finding his way in mass traffic between his left and right ear. I enjoy these true emotions or behavior because i believe everyone on earth has a set of weaknesses. I like these true emotions and choices when it comes to mind digging. Surely it's understandable that heavy religious people might be offended -the Archbishop was in the Nazi's army, drove around in a limo like a king and thought he was God himself-, but it's not the bible, I see it as a tale in a Catholic setting.This movie is based on personal choices, activated by a game of chess between animal nature and common sense. Throw in some faith and a time structured plot, have it sequenced very well, put in some great dialogue and moody setting, you will get a well deserved great movie! I recommend this film, it's in a way uplifting. 8/10