VATICAN CITY

Grey River Argus, 20 October 1943, Page 6

VATICAN CITY

INSPIRING picture at opera HOUSE.. Always a noted sight, but now in the midst of battle, more to the fore than ever, The Vatican City, is at present on view in Greymouth. The first complete motion picture ever filmed inside the Vatican, “The Story of Vatican City” is being this week shown at the Opera House, and is arousing widespread interest.. Needless to say nothing of its kind has been here filmed before. In view of its great importance in the war and of the efforts of the Holy Father, Pope Pius XII. to bring a just and lasting peace to the world, this March of Time film is a timely revelation, and should not be missed. It is a picture Catholics in particular and others who revere religion will consider themselves fortunate to have seen. The narrator is the famous American philosopher and writer, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor- Fulton, J. Sheen, Ph.D., D.D., Litt. D., and the whole work is comprehensive, reverent, sympathetic and beautifullv done. As a substitute for a visit to the Centre of Christendom this film is the best available. ■ In the hour of its presentation it covers more territory than it would be possible to cover during many days at Rome. It affords the spectator glimpses which few pilgrims there could ever hope to have. The Vatican City occupies one-sixth of a square mile and the film faithfully depicts the marvels contained is this the world’s smallest Sovereign State. It took four months to make the film, the central figure of which is the Holy Father and the central edifice St. Peter’s Basilica. Not only is the Pope shown in ceremonies at St. Peter’s and in formal and' informal addresses, but also is presented before his elevation to the Throne of Peter, while on his tour of the United States. These scenes are of special interest for Archbishop Francis JSpellman of New York, who accompanied the then Cardinal Pacelli, is shown with him. Other scenes of note are the ceremonies connected with the death of Pope Pius XI., and the coronation of the present Pope. It was stated that of his two predecessors, Pope Benedict XV. was crowned at the altar of the Blessed Virgin at the rear of the Basilica, and Pope Pius XI, at the altar of St. Peter, while Pius XII. was crowned on Ithe balcony of the Basilica in view of a vast concourse assembled below in St. Peter’s Square. The film presents in detail the vast architecture of the Vatican, revealing the inspiring grandeur of St. Peter’s, which took 125 years to build, “the biggest and most overpowering place of worship ever built by man.” It shows the chapels, especially the Sistine Chapel with the famous murals painted bv Michael Angelo; the crypts beneath the Basilica where the Popes are buried; the art treasures, the famous Vatican Libraries, and their miles of shelves loaded with rare books and manuscripts; the Vatican gardens; Vatican radio station; also the modern shops, the railway station, the stores, the living quarters, the Post Office, fire and police departments, the printing presses and countless other details of this unique sovereign territory. The human element of Vatican Citv is also presented,-—the Cardinals and other officials of the Church; and the religious orders, Oi which the Jesuits and Dominicans are singled out for special treatment. -e Swiss Guard, the special bodyguard of the Holy Father, are also shown, as are the Noble Guard, the P&P a Gendarmes, and the many other students in the many Roman colleges from -every country under the su , and the pilgrims from every corner of the world. The film, which yesterday made such an impression, will be shown again to-day iand to-mor row. The opportunitv should not be missed of seeing something unique m motion pictures. _