Vatican newspaper: negative review of new film on Pius XII and the Jews

March 03, 2015

Five weeks after it publicized a new film on Venerable Pius XII’s actions during the Holocaust, L’Osservatore Romano has published a brief negative review of the film’s artistic quality.

Stating that a 2010 French television production on the same subject was far superior, reviewer Emilio Ranzato described Shades of Truth as “not up to the task,” “naïve,” and “of little credible consequence.” The actors, he added, could “do much better.”

The film, based on the work of Jewish historian Pinchas Lapide, credits Pope Pius XII with saving the lives of 800,000 Jews. The filmmakers argue that Pius XII was "the most misunderstood figure of the 20th century."

L’Osservatore Romano has continued to report on evidence of Pius XII’s solicitude for the Jews during the Holocaust, including evidence recently uncovered in the archives of the Canadian Adorers of the Most Precious Blood.

 

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Further information:

• Meglio rinunciare (L’Osservatore Romano, p. 5)
• An order from the top (L’Osservatore Romano, p. 7)
• Film claims Italian Pope saved 800,000 Jews (The Local)
• New film on Pius XII and the Jews (CWN, 1/29)