In 1917, outside the parish of Fátima, Portugal, a 10-year-old girl and her two younger cousins witness multiple visitations of the Virgin Mary, who tells them that only prayer and suffering will bring an end to World War I. As secularist government officials and Church leaders try to force the children to recant their story, word of the sighting spreads across the country, inspiring religious pilgrims to flock to the site in hopes of witnessing a miracle..
Cinematography
Golden-hour Portugal looks almost holy enough to convert atheists.
Acting
The child actors out-act Harvey Keitel, and he knows it.
Production
Authentic 1917 detail that makes the miracle feel documentarily real.
Director
Marco Pontecorvo
Harvey Keitel
Professor Nichols
Sônia Braga
Sister Lucia
Goran Višnjić
Artur
Joaquim de Almeida
Father Ferreira
Lúcia Moniz
Maria Rosa
Joana Ribeiro
Mary
Stephanie Gil
Lucia
Catarina Mira
Tradeswoman
Ana Moreira
Laic Nun
Alba Baptista
Mrs. Lopez Daughter
João Arrais
Manuel Santos
Dinarte de Freitas
Man in Crowd 2
Laura Frederico
Daughter
Carla Chambel
Olímpia
Ivo Alexandre
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Marco Pontecorvo is the son of Oscar-nominated cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, and it shows in every frame.
The real Fátima pilgrimages still draw millions annually; Pope Francis canonized the two martyr-children in 2017, the centenary of the apparitions.
US
