This is a hard-to-find gem; try tracking one down in DVD. The search is well worth the effort. This is satire/farce at its very best.
The movie has not garner greater appreciation due to its touchy subject matter. Or it may be the story hits a little to close to home. The story is loosely based on the disputed account of the death of Pope John Paul I. The way this account goes, Pope John Paul I was horrified at the multiple scandals occurring at the Vatican Bank, and wanted them stopped, until he died under suspicious circumstances after only being Pope for forty-five days.
While this may be considered a spoiler, it actually is not. The real value in the movie are in the comic performances. Herbert Lom is at his slimiest best as the gangster kingpin in charge of the corruption in the Vatican Bank. Alex Rocco, who played Moe Green in the Godfather, is absolutely over the top as a corrupt Cardinal. The other supporting roles are simply hilarious. Robbie Cochrane is good as the bumbling priest who is accidentally elected Pope. To be honest, the performances of Lom and Rocco overshadow Cochrane's lead role.
My best advice is that if you did not like Monty Python's Life of Brian, you will definitely not like this film. On the other hand, if you can get past the subject matter, the movie will give you many good laughs.
The movie has not garner greater appreciation due to its touchy subject matter. Or it may be the story hits a little to close to home. The story is loosely based on the disputed account of the death of Pope John Paul I. The way this account goes, Pope John Paul I was horrified at the multiple scandals occurring at the Vatican Bank, and wanted them stopped, until he died under suspicious circumstances after only being Pope for forty-five days.
While this may be considered a spoiler, it actually is not. The real value in the movie are in the comic performances. Herbert Lom is at his slimiest best as the gangster kingpin in charge of the corruption in the Vatican Bank. Alex Rocco, who played Moe Green in the Godfather, is absolutely over the top as a corrupt Cardinal. The other supporting roles are simply hilarious. Robbie Cochrane is good as the bumbling priest who is accidentally elected Pope. To be honest, the performances of Lom and Rocco overshadow Cochrane's lead role.
My best advice is that if you did not like Monty Python's Life of Brian, you will definitely not like this film. On the other hand, if you can get past the subject matter, the movie will give you many good laughs.