A Man Called Peter (1955)

This was the most beautiful and most inspiring movie in Cinemascope of the 50s decade. Very well directed and a box office hit in rural America and other parts of the world (lines to see it formed around the block all over Scottland, but also in cities like Havana, Madrid, London, Dublin, etc.), yet the Academy of Arts and Science ignored it as best film and passed on nominations to its players. It won only one award for screenplay adaptation (from the best selling biography). The reason for this may have been that Jean Peters, its star, quit the screen all too suddenly after its release, and Fox made no effort to push or promote the film within the academy when nominations were being selected. Releasing companies normally do that. Richard Todd certainly delivered the best performance of his career in a very difficult role. The strikingly beautiful Jean Peters amazed critics with a down to earth and totally believable performance that certainly merited a best actress nomination. And Marjorie Rambeau (of Tobacco Road fame)won other awards as supporting actress for her portrayal(including Critic's Choice), but wasn't even nominated for an Academy Award. If you check the 1955 nominees for best acting, you'll discover that only Susan Hayward, for I'll Cry Tomorrow, was at par with Peters' portrayal in this flick. True of the film as well. It was a much better picture than most of those nominated. Fox had scheduled this film as the first in Cinemascope to be released, with Peters and Richard Burton in the lead roles, but producer Lamarr Troti died; and so, Fox offered The Robe as an alternative-which was an inferior film in regards to content, facts and script. At any rate, see this film believing it did win "best picture of 1955". As it ends you'll likely become certain that it did.

A true gem. Ten times better than today's Chritian movies. Taken from the main character's wife true story, ( the well - known Catherine Marshall). The sermons are really Dr. Marshall's word.s, this was back in the day when church was about God and not entertaining everybody so they could feel good about themselves.He really never pulled any punches, kind of a President Hartry Truman (Plain Speaking) of preachers. It is sad when Americans neither know or ever heard about a real American hero. It is a classic tale of from rags to success. Recent Christian films by Steve Taylor, Michael W. Smith, and T. D. Jakes, all big names in ministry, are gutless and mindless, even preachy compared to this fine film

This may be one of the most unique films ever made in Hollywood because it actually looks and sounds like a film made by Christians for Christians. Usually it's the opposite. Even back in the "Code" decades, this type of film was rare, where it shows a minister in a good light throughout the story.This is the story of Peter (played by Richard Todd) and Catherine (Jean Peters) Marshall. Marshall was a Scottish preacher who became famous both there and in the United States, rising to Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. Todd does an admirable acting job and Peters is convincing as his wholesome wife.As biased as I am for this kind of film, I am honest enough to point out any drawbacks to it, if I feel it is warranted. In this case, I thought that it was simply too slow here and there. Like a lot of movies, it would have been more effective having 15-20 minutes edited from it. Nonetheless, if you are looking for one of those rare films that portrays Christians in a positive light, please check this one out.

Over a life time of viewing thousands of films, there have been certain ones that have not only entertained, but also touched and enriched my life -- "A Man Called Peter" is one of those very special films. Now, fifty years after its original theatrical release, 20th Century Fox has released it on DVD in the full beauty of the wide screen CinemaScope format that it needs to be seen in as it has only been available until now on VHS in a Pan & Scan version.I was but sixteen years old when I first heard of the film during the 1955 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when then President David O. McKay stood at the podium and gave an unprecedented invitation: "All Stake Presidents, Bishops, and their wives are invited to attend a special preview showing of the new motion picture, "A Man Called Peter," the deeply spiritual story of Dr. Peter Marshall ... it is well worth seeing, and has a message of spirituality most timely for the nation at this time."I have lost count as to how many times I have seen and heard the sermons delivered in the film by actor Richard Todd (as Dr. Marshall) over a fifty year period -- but it would number into the hundreds! And they never grow old. Now, on the DVD, Fox has included as an EXTRA, one of the few surviving recorded sermons of the actual Dr. Marshall -- a wonderful 26 minute Easter sermon delivered in 1942. After hearing Todd's marvelous renderings it is quite thrilling to hear Dr. Marshall's actual voice. While the sermon is being given there are a several photographs of Dr. Marshall at the time of the speech before moving into a series of color stills mainly from the film. While these are very interesting, and welcome, they can be a little distracting to the marvelous sermon being rendered. You may wish to listen and watch separately.Sadly, a lot of DVD dealers have chosen not to carry this title in stock, making it available as an online order item. Don't let this one pass you by. Have your dealer order it in for you or order it yourself. And if you know others who would be moved by this special film, take the time to let them know about it.As for me, my birthday and Christmas shopping has just been made a lot easier -- this is a film that I am delighted to share with others! And a great big thanks to the folks at Fox for making this available!