The story that inspired the chilling new film ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’, starring Russell Crowe, is a tale that was destined for the big screen. Set to be released in Spanish cinemas on April 5th, the movie revolves around the real-life experiences of Father Gabriele Amorth, a priest who performed over a hundred thousand exorcisms as the Vatican’s chief exorcist.
In an interview with FOTOGRAMAS, Russell Crowe spoke passionately about his approach to portraying this real-life character. The Oscar winner for ‘Gladiator’ revealed, “My main focus during the preparation for this film was to delve into the personality of Father Gabriele Amorth, to discover the nuances of his real-life experiences, and to incorporate these details into the movie.” Crowe goes on to highlight the exorcist’s unexpected sense of humor and irreverence, making him one of the most celebrated exorcists in history.
Father Gabriele Amorth spent more than three decades dealing with the numerous cases of demonic possession that came to the attention of the Church in the latter half of the 20th century. Crowe explains, “If you look at what he did during his tenure as the Vatican’s chief exorcist for 36 years, he carried out tens of thousands of exorcisms. His daily life involved helping the afflicted and their families, offering them some solace and guiding them towards the light.”
The film portrays Father Gabriele as someone capable of discerning between genuine possession and false cases caused by psychotic episodes or a desire for attention. Crowe emphasizes the importance of showcasing the priest’s unwavering faith and undeniable sense of humor, both integral aspects of his character.
Father Gabriele Amorth was a prominent figure in the Vatican and authored numerous books on his work, beliefs, and experiences. Even appearing on the popular television program ‘Cuarto Milenio’, as noted by Iker Jiménez on Twitter.
As one can imagine, Hollywood had long sought to bring this story to the big screen. However, Father Amorth, who passed away in September 2016, had never allowed his story to be told. This changed when producer Patrick Kaczmarek, driven by his own devout Catholic faith, convinced Amorth to adapt his memoir into a film. Kaczmarek’s sincere religious dedication and commitment to preserving Catholicism and respecting Father Amorth and his religious order convinced the priest to take the risk and collaborate on the project.
The result is now playing in theaters, a film that honors the memory of the real-life protagonist, even though he is no longer here to see it. Russell Crowe has made sure to pay homage to Father Gabriele Amorth in a role that showcases the priest’s extraordinary life and work.
For more information about ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’, visit Ratingperson.
