St. Anthony: the movie

Fictionalising Anthony

Lux Vide has thus produced a film for television with the intention of introducing people to this thirteenth century Portuguese nobleman who, contrary to his father's wishes, decided to enter the priesthood at Coimbra. When the remains of the missionary martyrs of the new Franciscan Order were brought there for burial in 1220, Anthony was inspired to follow their example; he became a Franciscan friar and sailed for North Africa. Forced to return to Europe due to ill health, he arrived in Italy in 1221 and was assigned to the province of Romagna, a region in which heretical groups were very active. Anthony's exceptional skills as a preacher and a scholar quickly brought him into prominence, and he was granted permission by Saint Francis to teach theology to the friars. Numerous miracles are attributed to him and he brought many sinners back to God though his preaching, prayer and good example. He died in a monastery near Padua at the age of thirty-six.

The film, Saint Anthony of Padua, directed by Umberto Marino, was filmed in five weeks in Spain in September 2001 in splendid locations such as Trujillo, Placencia, Santillana del Mar and the monastery of Veruela, involving over 2,500 people.

Obviously, the director explained to us, we had to fictionalise St. Anthony's biography, especially the early years of his life, as there is little historical documentation available; however this was done with the greatest respect for his character. Whenever we were unsure about certain aspects of his life, we invented his story ourselves, with the collaboration of both historians, religious and many experts, including, naturally, the friars of the Basilica of Saint Anthony.

A wonderful experience

St. Anthony in the TV movie is played by Daniele Liotti, a young, well-established Italian actor who kindly gave us a brief interview during the film's presentation to the press.

For me, he declared, it has been a wonderful experience working on this film, making me grow both as a person and an actor adding that he enthusiastically studied the Portuguese saint's life in order to prepare for the role. Anthony is an extraordinary, epic character, a knight full of hope, who one day discovered his vocation in Christ.

Was it easy playing the role of a man who converted to the faith?

Well, faith is not tangible, it isn't something you can touch or that you can portray physically. I tried to draw out the emotion and fragility of a child who could be frightened, but is also fascinated by all that is new to him.

How did you get closer to this extraordinary character?

As soon as I arrived on set, I asked if I could put on the Franciscan habit straight away and that they shave my head leaving an outside ring of hair in the style of a tonsure. Looking at myself if the mirror, I felt very moved. Wearing the clothes, sporting the hairstyle, walking in those sandals with such a thin sole that your feet hurt, and having to say, the Lord be with you... had a very strange effect. It changed me. At the beginning I was aware that I was playing a role, but then I set aside the worries about my acting and tried to reach as deep an understanding as I could of the meaning of the words I was saying, and the gestures I was making.

What has the film's great success given you?

A great deal from a human point of view. Many people stop me on the street to tell me how much they enjoyed the film, my interpretation of St. Anthony and how I conveyed the Saint to them. I have also received many interesting offers of work.

I have taken part in the TV movie Dr. Zhivago, directed by Giacomo Campiotti. It is an international production and will be released in England in November. I play the role of Mischa, Dr. Yurij Zhivago' best friend. In the famous film by David Lean, this character wasn' included, so I am very happy that I will avoid comparisons. I am currently involved in a film being made in Spain.

The 2003 calendar

The TV movie about the life of St. Anthony was shown on Italian television in April 2002 and was a huge success. Viewing figures show that 7.5 million people watched the film, which means that 32% of television sets in use were tuned to this film. The production company Lux Vide has been contacted by several television companies and the film is already being dubbed into 13 languages. For the 2003 calendar, which you will receive by the end of October, the Messenger of Saint Anthony has had the privilege of using frames taken from the film. Each month depicts decisive moments in the Saint' life, accompanying us through the year and reminding us of our beloved Saint, his life as an incredible witness of the Gospel, and of his teaching.F